Strengthening Families Leadership Team Discussion

Implementing Strengthening Families Leadership Team Discussion C E N T E R F O R T H E S T U D Y O F S O C I A L P O L I C Y

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 work with children and families 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

new partners, existing systems The initial research and tools supporting Strengthening Families were designed for the early care and education field but during a 7-year state pilot… States across the country have proven that the Protective Factors are a powerful framework for many child- and family-serving fields – it helps them do their own work AND work together with a common language

The Research Process

Step 1 : Search the evidence to find out what factors really reduce child abuse and neglect

Step 2 : Explore the connection between factors that prevent child abuse and neglect and what quality early childhood programs do to build them

Step 3 : Identify programs that build the factors and learn how they do it

Step 4 : Learn about policy and practice changes needed to infuse the model statewide through a partnership with 7 pilot states

Becoming a National Movement

26 states are members of the Strengthening Families National Network

The initiative is being supported by a number of national organizations

The model is being integrated into federal child abuse and neglect prevention strategies through OCAN

More funders are supporting the approach

Brownsville, TX High Point, NC Ohio Virginia Other SF States United Way Grantees Washington State Anchorage, AK San Antonio, TX Atlanta, GA Los Angeles, CA

State Leadership Teams: What Generally Works

Membership includes but isn’t limited to key ECE and CW leadership

Parent Organizations are represented and parent representatives sit on the leadership team

All members are also engaged in working groups.

Membership is fluid

Members are invited to use SFI as a vehicle for achieving other compatible goals

levers for change Parent Partnerships Family-Strengthening Child Welfare Practice Infrastructure and Policy Changes Early Childhood Systems Integration Professional Development States have worked in these areas to grow Strengthening Families initiatives and build sustainability:

strategies protective factors CAN prevention and optimal development state and national strategies parental resilience knowledge of parenting and child development social connections concrete supports in times of need social and emotional competence of children Facilitate friendships and mutual support Strengthen Parenting Respond to Family Crises Link Families to Services and Opportunities Value and Support Parents Facilitate Children’s Social and Emotional Development Observe and respond to early warning signs of abuse or neglect “ Levers for Change” Parent Partnerships Family-Strengthening Child Welfare Practice Infrastructure Changes Early Childhood Systems Integration Professional Development