Strengthening Families Assessment
ECH 5001
April 1st, 2013
Graduate Project
Strengthening Families Self-Assessment & Analysis
The Strengthening Families initiative is a strength based approach in preventing child abuse and neglect. It focuses on providing support, education and services for families with the intent to limit the likelihood of abuse and neglect for at risk families. There are five protective that are the foundation of the strengthening families approach. They are as follows:
Parent Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties. There are two parts to resilience. The first is to be able to recognize and acknowledge difficulties and the feelings that go along with challenging events and situations. The second part of resilience is the ability to have hope, to problem solve and to take action in the midst of difficult events and feelings.
Social Connections
Whenever a family is isolated from family or community, the children are more at risk. Many parents naturally develop friendships with other parents they meet in the child care program, but others may need help establishing those social connections. Building trusting relationships with all families and helping isolated families connect with other parents strengthens parenting skills and protects the children.
Knowledge of Child Development and Parenting
Parents with knowledge about parenting and their own child’s development have more appropriate expectations and use more developmentally appropriate guidance techniques. Early care and education professionals have a wealth of knowledge about child development that they can share with parents, whether through an informal conversation, in a class, or by sharing brochures and other written information with parents. Most parents truly want to do what is best for their children but need help to gain knowledge and information.
Concrete Support in Times of Need
When families are in crisis, the children are more protected if the
April 1st, 2013
Graduate Project
Strengthening Families Self-Assessment & Analysis
The Strengthening Families initiative is a strength based approach in preventing child abuse and neglect. It focuses on providing support, education and services for families with the intent to limit the likelihood of abuse and neglect for at risk families. There are five protective that are the foundation of the strengthening families approach. They are as follows:
Parent Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties. There are two parts to resilience. The first is to be able to recognize and acknowledge difficulties and the feelings that go along with challenging events and situations. The second part of resilience is the ability to have hope, to problem solve and to take action in the midst of difficult events and feelings.
Social Connections
Whenever a family is isolated from family or community, the children are more at risk. Many parents naturally develop friendships with other parents they meet in the child care program, but others may need help establishing those social connections. Building trusting relationships with all families and helping isolated families connect with other parents strengthens parenting skills and protects the children.
Knowledge of Child Development and Parenting
Parents with knowledge about parenting and their own child’s development have more appropriate expectations and use more developmentally appropriate guidance techniques. Early care and education professionals have a wealth of knowledge about child development that they can share with parents, whether through an informal conversation, in a class, or by sharing brochures and other written information with parents. Most parents truly want to do what is best for their children but need help to gain knowledge and information.
Concrete Support in Times of Need
When families are in crisis, the children are more protected if the