Families Thrive When Protective Factors Are Robust in Their Lives

and Communities

Groundwork

In 2001 the Center for the Study of Social Policy began studying the role that early care and education programs nationwide could play in strengthening families and preventing abuse and neglect.

Groundwork

Currently there are more than 35 states that are active in the Strengthening Families National Network and more than 40 that have statewide implementation at some level.

HTTP://WWW.CSSP.ORG/REFORM/STRENGTHENING-FAMILIES/THE-BASICS/HISTORY

5 or 6 Protective Factors?

Strengthening Families has identified 5

Protective Factors Although it does not include Nurturing and

Attachment as a separate factor, they do recognize that it is an important facet of each factor.

Many programs, including DCS, have chosen to outline Nurturing and Attachment as a 6th factor due to its importance.

Protective Factors

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Concrete Support in Times of Need Children’s Social and Emotional

Competence Parental Resilience Social Connections

**One-on-One Activity**

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Definition An understanding of parenting strategies and child

development helps parents understand what to expect and how to provide what their children

need during each developmental phase.

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Why it is important Parents who understand the usual course

of child development are more likely to be able to provide their children with respectful communication, consistent rules and expectations, and opportunities that promote independence.

This helps to create secure attachments.

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

How we can help Explore age related information about positive

discipline techniques Teach parents to be nurturing, responsive and

reliable in their parenting techniques Ensure that parents are utilizing positive

parenting techniques Reinforce positive communication strategies

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Young children live within an environment

and their experiences, both of which shape early brain development. example: when a young child interacts through

babbling and parent reacts in a similar manner, this interaction helps create neural connections for social, emotional, and cognitive skills.

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

With inconsistent, unresponsive, or detached responses to a child, the result is to strengthen insecure attachments.

Often this knowledge base is learned from the way they were parented. This protective factor helps to define what

parenting looks like when families have good information and skills to help their children at every stage of development.

So much information!

For any parent the amount of information available is overwhelming. Be selective with where this information is coming from, and help families decide which information is reliable:

- Spouse or Partner - Friends and Family - Pediatrician - Community Resources - Books

Concrete Support in Times of Need

Definition The ability of parents to meet basic needs (food, clothing, housing, transportation, etc.) of their families.

Concrete Support in Times of Need

Why it is important Assisting parents to identify, find and

receive concrete support in times of need helps to ensure they and their family receive the basic necessities everyone deserves in order to grow. This protective factor helps minimize

stress caused by such challenges.

Concrete Support in Times of Need

How we can help Respond immediately when families are in crisis Identify supportive resources that would be beneficial for

the family Ensure that the supports referred are coordinated,

respectful, caring and strengths-based. Ensuring that the support itself does not increase stress

Offer assistance navigating the sometimes confusing systems

Help them develop skills and tools they need to identify their own needs and connect to supports

Children’s Social and Emotional Competence

Definition A child’s ability to interact positively with others, self regulate behavior, and effectively communicate their feelings

Children’s Social and Emotional Competence

Why it is important

There is a link between young children’s social- emotional competence and their cognitive development, language skills, mental health and school success.

Without social and emotional competence in children, as adults there is risk of not being able to feel remorse, or show empathy.

How we can help Ensuring that parents are creating an

environment in which children feel safe to express emotions

Helping parents set clear expectations and limits

Teaching how to separate emotions from actions

Children’s Social and Emotional Competence

Children’s Social and Emotional Competence

It is the quality of interactions while

developing that impacts competency. Children often feel things that they do not understand. Empowering the child to learn about and share their feelings allows for healthy growth and communication.

Children’s Social and Emotional Competence

Dimensions for assessment: Self-esteem Self-confidence

Self-efficacy Self-regulation

Personal agency Executive functioning

Patience Persistence

Conflict resolution Communication skills

Empathy Social skills

Morality

Definition The process of managing

stress and functioning well even when faced with challenges, adversity

and trauma.

Parental Resilience

Parental Resilience

Why it is important Numerous researchers have

concluded that how parents respond to stress is much more important than the stressor itself in determining the outcomes for their families. Has a positive effect on the parent-

child relationship

Parental Resilience

How we can help Define the word ‘resilience’. Explore alternative

definitions such as stamina, resistance, toleration, power

Honor each family’s race, language, culture, history and approach to parenting

Explore problem solving skills and identify coping strengths

Encourage parents to manage stress effectively Give guidance on how to maintain a positive

outlook when things are not going well.

Social Connections

Definition Parents’ constructive and supportive social

connections- that is, relationships with family, friends, neighbors, community members and service providers- are valuable…

People need people!

Social Connections

Why it is important Studies show that having positive

social connections leads to positive parental mood; well being and sense of competence; and lower levels of anger, anxiety and depression.

Social Connections

How we can help Explore current support system. Explore

outside the box if needed Discuss benefits of getting out/ joining a

group/ making new friends Identify needs that could be met by utilizing

social supports Parent Café!!!

Social Connections

Areas to Explore : Emotional support Informational support Instrumental support Spiritual support

Protective Factors Survey

The Parent Café

History of the Parent Café

Adapted from the World Café model Businessmen got together to discuss current trends

Be Strong Families/Strengthening Families 2001: Protective Factors Framework is introduced 2007: First Parent Café is held 2012: Parent Café Fidelity Model is created Present: over 1000 people trained to conduct Parent

Cafés nationwide

Fidelity Model

Parent Cafés are a process and without fidelity to the model the quality of the Parent Café is damaged To be considered a Parent Café, it must have the following:

Welcome Introduction to Theme of Café Introduction to Agreements One-on-One and Debrief Hosted Table Conversations Individual Commitment Cards Harvest/Large Group Debrief One Word Closing

• HTTP://WWW.BESTRONGFAMILIES.NET/

~Group Activity~

Form 5 Groups Group 1: Resilience Group 2: Relationships Group 3: Knowledge Group 4: Support Group 5: Communication

Read 3 cards in assigned factor Decide as a group which one to discuss Chat for about 10 minutes

Results/Impact from Be Strong Families

Parent Café’s: Reduce stress/increase peace and well-being Increase parenting knowledge and skills Build Protective Factors Facilitate meaningful relationships and

community building Provide opportunities for parent leadership

Results/Impact from Be Strong Families

Over 4,000 parents participated in evaluation 99% report the café was helpful 98% would recommend Parent Cafés to a friend and

family member 97% plan to attend a future café 60% followed through on a commitment from a

previous café Over 85% report an increased awareness /

knowledge of the Protective Factors overall as a result of their participation in the café

Resources

http://www.cssp.org/reform/strengthening-families

https://www.childwelfare.gov/can/factors/ protective.cfm

http://www.zerotothree.org/ http://www.bestrongfamilies.net http://www.strengtheningfamilies.net http://www.friendsnrc.org

Presenter Contact Information

Heath Levy, LMSW Heath.Levy@jfcsaz.org 602-452-4663

Melissa Linsday, LPC Melissa.Linsday@jfcsaz.org 602-452-4608