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Focus on the Family is a non-profit organization that began in 1977 in response to Dr. James Dobson's increasing concern for the American family. A Ph.D. in child development (University of Southern California), Dobson served 14 years as Associate Clinical Professor of pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine and a concurrent 17 years on the attending staff of Los Angeles Children's Hospital in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. What he saw included massive internal and external pressures on American households, causing unprecedented disintegration. Yet there seemed to be no comprehensive, rational and biblically-based conception of the family for those in greatest need.
From a two-room suite in Arcadia, Calif., Dr. Dobson began with radio: a 25-minute weekly program heard on only a few dozen stations. Focus on the Family has since become an international organization with more than 74 different ministries employing nearly 1,300 people. On the now-daily broadcast heard on 6,000 facilities worldwide, Dr. Dobson still explores family issues, usually with one or more recognized experts as guests. Meanwhile, other parts of the organization produce 6 additional broadcasts; 10 magazines sent to more than 2.3 million people a month and award-winning books, films and videos. Focus also responds to as many as 55,000 letters a week, offers professional counseling and referrals to a network of more than 2,100 therapists, and addresses public policy and cultural issues. |