Strengthening Families and the Protective Factors Framework was introduced by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) in 2003 as an initiative for preventing child abuse and neglect in families of children birth to five (5) years old. Over the past twenty-plus (20+) years, Strengthening Families initiatives and the Protective Factors Framework have been implemented in states across the nation in one or more key areas related to early childhood services. These include child maltreatment prevention, early care and education (ECE), home visiting, early intervention, and child welfare. At the core of the national Strengthening Families approach are five (5) protective factors, which research suggests mitigating the effect of exposure to risk factors and promoting healthy family and child development and well-being. It is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.
In Kentucky, a sixth (6th) protective factor has been added to create the Kentucky Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework. The protective factors are conditions in families and communities, which when present, help increase the health and well-being of families and children and reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. In addition to maltreatment prevention and promotion of child and family well-being, protective factors also support school readiness.
The protective factors identified for Kentucky are:
- Resilience: Families bounce back;
- Social connections: Families have friends they can count on;
- Knowledge of child development: Families learn how their children grow and develop;
- Concrete support in times of need: Families get assistance to meet basic needs;
- Social and emotional competence of children: Families teach children how to have healthy relationships; and
- Nurturing and attachment: Families ensure children feel loved and safe.
Utilizing the protective factors framework while working with families of young children can assist the worker and family in identifying areas in which they may need additional services or support to achieve and maintain child and family well-being. It is also a common framework familiar to and utilized by other early childhood service providers, which makes it a key conceptual framework to support collaboration while working with families.
The strengthening families initiative in Kentucky represents a multi-disciplinary partnership of over twenty (20) national, state, and local organizations in the public and private sectors dedicated to embedding these six (6) research-based protective factors into services and supports for children and their families. By supporting families and building their skills to cope with stressors, early childhood providers can reduce the likelihood that maltreatment will occur in families, while also promoting school readiness. Key child welfare community partners utilizing strengthening families and the protective factors in their policies and practices include the Governor’s Office for Early Childhood, Kentucky Early Intervention System (KEIS), Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS), Head Start, licensed and certified child care providers, and other Department for Public Health Early Childhood Development Branch programs. Additional information about Kentucky Strengthening Families and the Protective Factors Framework can be found here Kentucky Strengthening Families — Child Care Health Consultation (kentuckycchc.org)
Parent Cafés
Parent Café is a program under the Kentucky Strengthening Families Initiative that supports families and positive parental/caregiver relationships through discussions around protective factors and how they relate to families. The goals of Parent Cafés include helping caregivers and families:
- Grow stronger and become more resilient by identifying their strengths, needs and challenges;
- Build relationships with others;
- Learn about resources that will support their family; and
- Build protective factors.
Parent Cafés create an opportunity for parents/caregivers to learn from each other in a fun and supportive atmosphere. In the Parent Café model, a parent is defined as any adult providing care for a child. The conversation decks used during a Parent Café to guide conversations were created by parents and incorporate parent-friendly language to help connect the protective factors with lived experience.
The Parent Café model was designed by an organization called Be Strong Families and utilizes the national Strengthening Families Framework coordinated by the CSSP. The Parent Café aims to create a safe, welcoming, and inviting environment for caregivers. The purpose is for each caregiver to build connections through conversations and develop relationships. Parent Cafés are designed around resiliency, incorporating the six (6) protective factors and adhering to a strength-based philosophy. It is an opportunity for caregivers to listen and learn from each other in a supportive atmosphere. Caregivers who have positive experiences shaping the programs that serve their children can then be engaged in helping design systems and policies that work for children and families.
Workers can connect families to Parent Cafés in their area to encourage families to build protective factors, seek support from other parents, and promote child and family wellbeing. Additional information about Parent Cafés is available here: Parent Café — Child Care Health Consultation (kentuckycchc.org)