Introduction to Strengthening Families
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY
Strengthening Families began as a search for a new approach to child abuse prevention that:
Is systematic Is national Reaches large numbers of children
Has impact long before abuse or neglect occurs Promotes optimal development for all children
Strengthening Families has inspired an approach to family support services that is: Universally available, not
targeted by risk
Focused on development and growth, not only on identified problems Delivered through new, powerful partners not typically identified as CAN prevention or family support agents
Going where the children are: Early care and education programs have assets Daily contact with parents and children
Uniquely intimate relationships with families A universal approach of positive encouragement and education for all families An early warning and response system to the first signs of trouble
The Original (Simple?) Ideas:
1. Find strong evidence that universally available venues like early childhood programs can also help families and prevent child abuse Influence national organizations and systems to adopt the idea Spread the idea state by state
2.
3.
4.
Create greater safety and optimal development for millions of children
quality early care and education protective factors ?? Can ECE programs help families as well as children? ?? CAN prevention and optimal development
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Just the facts…
What does research tell us about what is RIGHT with families?
What kinds of characteristics are there that promote children’s healthy development—and are linked directly to a reduction in child abuse and neglect reports?
the protective factors framework
Parental Resilience
Social Connections
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Concrete Support in Times of Need Social and Emotional Development
the gold standard study
Arthur Reynolds, University of Wisconsin
Longitudinal study of children and families in a program with similar elements to those identified by CSSP compared with others who did not participate Results: 52% reduction in substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect by age 17
parental resilience
parental resilience
Psychological health; parents feel supported and able to solve problems; can develop trusting relationships with others and reach out for help Parents who did not have positive childhood experiences or who are in troubling circumstances need extra support and trusting relationships
social connections
social connections
Relationships with extended family, friends, co-workers, other parents with children similar ages Community norms are developed through social connections
Mutual assistance networks: child care, emotional support, concrete help
knowledge of parenting and child development
knowledge of parenting and child development
Basic information about how children develop
Basic techniques of developmentally appropriate discipline Alternatives to parenting behaviors experienced as a child Help with challenging behaviors
concrete supports
concrete supports
Response to a crisis: food, clothing, shelter
Assistance with daily needs: health care, job opportunities, transportation, education
Services for parents in crisis: mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse Specialized services for children
social and emotional competence
social and emotional development
Normal development (like using language to express needs and feelings) creates more positive parent-child interactions Challenging behaviors, traumatic experiences or development that is not on track require extra adult attention A Surprise: What learning in a classroom does for families back at home
quality early care and education protective factors
Parental Resilience
Program Strategies that build Protective Factors
Social Connections
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
CAN prevention and optimal development
Concrete Supports Social and Emotional Development
seeking excellent examples
Rural, urban, suburban Small/large; stand-alone/multi-site Large budget/small budget All serving low-income families
Already high-quality programs by other standards
excellent early childhood programs are already building protective factors daily, but often do not recognize their impact on families
small but significant changes in early childhood practice could produce huge results in preventing child abuse and neglect for the youngest children
but how exactly do they DO it?
The overall ENVIRONMENT is the most important element; it encourages and allows everything else to happen
Supportive, warm, flexible, and healthy RELATIONSHIPS between staff and parents are the most critical part of developing and sustaining the environment
quality early care and education
Program Strategies that build Protective Factors
Faciliate Friendships & Mutual Support Strengthen Parenting Respond to Family Crises Link Families to Services & Opportunities
protective factors
Parental Resilience
Social Connections
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
CAN prevention and optimal development
Value & Support Parents Faciliate Children’s Social & Emotional Development Observe & Respond to Early Warning Signs of CAN
Concrete Supports Social and Emotional Development
facilitate friendships & mutual support
Places to meet and greet other parents Opportunities for interaction, to work together, and to share mutual support
Pot lucks
Recreation, social events
Create individual connections among families
strengthen parenting
Staff model good parental skills; provide informal parent education – ―just in time‖ information Parent education and formal opportunities for exploration of own experience and learning alternatives Special help for parents of children with challenging behaviors
respond to family crises
Staff mobilize support from many sources when necessary Deep understanding about resources for domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health—and well-planned bridges to services providers
Other families help out
link families to services and opportunities
Linkages with many community resources Cross-training with other agencies Referrals to people, not just agencies A family plan for everyone
value and support parents
Decision-making at all levels includes parents Families—ALL family members—feel welcome Many opportunities for participation in activities at many levels
facilitate children’s social and emotional development
Structured curriculum for social and emotional development
Teaching parents to support social and emotional development and deal with challenges Observation and timely response when development is not on track
respond quickly to family stress
Daily health checks for children, ―meet and greet‖ routine for families Staff recognize and respond to early warning signs of abuse or neglect with a planned protocol
Consistent monitoring and immediate outreach at any sign of trouble
Close, trusting connections with social service and mental health agencies
organizational partners and funders
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Annie E. Casey, Arthur L. Mailman, Arthur Blank Family Foundation
strengthening families national network
9 Partner States
Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri New Hampshire, New Jersey, Washington, Wisconsin
14 Affiliate States
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, DC
7 National Partner Organizations
BUILD, FRIENDS National Resource Center for CB-CAP, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds, NAEYC, NCCIC, Zero to Three, United Way
4 National Affiliate Organizations
Midwest Learning Center for Family Support, National Registry Alliance, Parents as Teachers, Parent Services Project
Strengthening Families National Network of states and organizations promotes:
Widespread implementation in early childhood programs and states (and large counties) Quality assurance for materials, training, and use of Strengthening Families ideas
Federal and state policy to support implementation and sustainability
levers for change
Parent Partnerships Infrastructure and Policy Changes Professional Development Early Childhood-Child Welfare Linkages Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Planning
the “new normal”
Child abuse and neglect prevention building healthy families Early childhood programs extend their mission to support families and protect children as a way to provide optimal developmental conditions for children Child Welfare and other systems that serve vulnerable families focus on development as a key part of assuring the well-being of kids
http://www.strengtheningfamilies.net
Contact: Kate Stepleton kate.stepleton@cssp.org 773-857-3653
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY