STRENGTHENING FAMILIES National Briefing, 2012

Map of Implementing States Active in SFNN Not-active in SFNN, but some state level Implementation strategy in place

MULTI-SECTOR LEADERSHIP Bring the Strengthening Families framework in their own spheres of influence Link across disciplines disciplines to create a common language and approach to famiies Develop and maintain the underlying infrastructure to support Strengthening Families implementation Serve as advocates and bridge builders to draw other partners into the work

The state of national implementation OVER THIRTY STATES ARE IN THE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES NATIONAL NETWORK 20 STATES REPORTED FINANCIAL DATA— COLLECTIVELY THESE STATES INVESTED $81 M IN STRENGTHENING FAMILIES 17 STATES USING PARENT OR COMMUNITY CAFÉ’S TO PROMOTE PARENT TO PARENT CONVERSATIONS TO BUILD PROTECTIVE FACTORS 40,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED TRAINING ON STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

Early Childhood Systems At least 19 states integrating SF into quality rating and improvement systems 15 states have engaged their CCR&Rs to build the capacity of local programs 20 states integrating SF into home visiting policy and planning In 9 states SF is used in state early learning and development advisory council planning and policy efforts In 8 states SF is integrated into state early care and education workforce knowledge and competency framework In 7 states SF is used to support family, friend and neighbor care providers

Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention 20 States incorporating the protective factors into training for prevention providers 20 states using the protective factors as the outcomes framework for local prevention grantees In 13 states family support programs are adopting Strengthening Families In 11 states public awareness campaigns include the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework In 9 states county or community-level prevention planning processes have been aligned to the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework In 5 states mandatory reporter training has been adapted to include the Strengthening Families approach and Protective Factors Framework

Child Welfare In 6 states SF is being integrated into training for child welfare workers In 5 states SF is being integrated into training for foster parents In 9 states SF is becoming part of the child welfare practice model In 5 states the protective factors are being integrated into assessment tools 13 states report that new partnerships are being formed between child welfare and early care and education programs using Strengthening Families approach and Protective Factors Framework

Looking Forward: Supporting Spread and Scale Research and Evaluation Supporting Implementation Reaching new sectors

Bringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life in Your Work Online training to support implementation of the Strengthening Families™ Protective Factors Framework in multiple settings Systems may use for awarding CEUs, credit Free of charge 7 courses, each about 2 hours in length o Introduction to the Framework (also useful as a stand-alone orientation) o A course on each of the 5 Protective Factors o A wrap-up course that moves users from knowledge to action Find at Contact

Applying a Protective/Promotive Factors Frame Across Development Birth Parent Protective Factors Child/Youth Protective Factors Strengthening Families Youth Thrive

Protective/ Promotive Factor Strengthening FamiliesYouth Thrive Resilience Ability to parent effectively despite stressors Ability to survive and thrive in the face of positive and/or adverse experiences Social Connections Social networks that support parenting by being conduits for positive parenting norms, emotional and substantive support, etc. Social networks that help youth to build healthy, supportive, caring relationships with adults and peers and provide opportunities for constructive engagement in school and community Concrete Supports Access to the resources and supports to help you meet your child’s needs Access to resources and supports (e.g., skill building, crisis support, housing) Knowledge of Development A clear understanding of your child’s development and how to parent in ways supportive of their development Adults and youth have a clear understanding of biopsychosocial development during adolescence and recognize that all youth have strengths and capacities Developmental Competence Social and Emotional Competence: Children’s age appropriate ability to regulate their emotions, engage with others, and communicate feelings Social, Emotional, Behavioral, Intellectual and Moral Competence: Youth engage in behaviors that promote healthy biopsychosocial and cognitive development Applying the Frame Across the Developmental Arc

Culture and the Protective Factors “The protective factors apply to all families, children, and youth, yet may be understood (deep structure) and manifest (surface structure) in culturally specific ways.”