Strengthening Families Overview

Strengthening Families

A new framework for the preventionof child abuse & neglect.

A New Prevention Framework

• Suitable for universal, positive approach to families (no “risk” factors or deficit approach)

• Able to be communicated easily to all audiences

• Based on hard evidence

Protective Factors

Parental ResilienceParental Resilience

Social ConnectionsSocial Connections

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Concrete Support in Times of Need

Concrete Support in Times of Need

Social and Emotional Development of Children

Social and Emotional Development of Children

Child Abuse & NeglectPrevention

Knowledge of Parenting and

Child Development

• Basic information about how children develop

• Basic techniques of helping children develop, dealing with challenging behaviors

• Alternatives to parenting behaviors experienced as a child

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 trustworthy relationships

Social Connections

• Relationships with extended family, friends, co-workers, other parents with children of similar ages

• Community norms

• Mutual assistance networks: child care, emotional support, concrete help

Social & Emotional

Development of Children

• Connection between normal development and positive parent child interaction

• Appropriate adult response to challenging behaviors, traumatic experiences or when development is not on track

• What quality childcare programs send home to families

Concrete Support

in Times of Need• Response to a crisis: food, shelter, clothing

• Assistance with daily needs: health care, education, job opportunities

• Services for parents: depression and other mental health issues, domestic violence, substance abuse;

• Specialized services for children

If you suspect abuse…

WV Child Protective Services

Toll-free 24-hour Hotline:

1-800-352-6513

Online Resources• http://www.preventchildabusewv.org

• http://www.preventchildabusewv.org/docs/It_Shouldnt_Hurt.pdf

• http://www.strengtheningfamilies.net

• http://www.onetoughjob.org

• http://www.cdc.gov/parents/

• http://www.zerotothree.org

For more information contact:

Jim McKay

State Coordinator, Prevent Child Abuse WV

Email: jim@teamwv.org

Twitter: @TEAM4WVChildren

http://slideshare.net/PCAWV

The solution of all adult problems tomorrow depends inlarge measure upon the way our children grow up today.

-- Margaret Mead