The child welfare field has traditionally focused on providing services that address child and youth well-being. However, the well-being of parents and families strongly influences the well-being of children. When parents and families are equipped with the proper support and skills, they are better able to attend to their children’s needs and maintain healthy parent-child relationships. Use the resources on this page to learn about the importance of parent and family well-being and interventions that promote it.
2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide
Families Thrive Training
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2021)
Children’s Bureau Express, 22(2)
Presents a training for child welfare professionals who are working to strengthen parents' capacity to care for their children. The training covers each of the protective and promotive factors and teaches techniques for applying the framework.
Family Support & Well-Being
Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
Provides resources and information to support families to become healthy, safe, and economically stable, including early care and education services, physical and mental health care, educational advancement opportunities, housing and food assistance, and more.
Investing in Families [Webinar]
Institute for Family
Offers a two-part webinar on investing in families and producing better outcomes for parents and children. Episode one covers opportunities to strengthen families and improve family well-being, while episode two explores strategies leaders in the child welfare field are using to create change.
Parent Education to Strengthen Families and Prevent Child Maltreatment
Protective Factors Framework
Center for the Study of Social Policy
Presents information on the five protective factors at the foundation of the Strengthening Families initiative that have been shown to increase well-being outcomes for youth and families and to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. This webpage also includes links to additional resources, such as action sheets about each protective factor.
Supporting Child, Caregiver, and Family Well-Being in Times of Crisis: Strategies to Promote Effective Virtual and Phone Engagement
Using Data to Strengthen Protective Capacities
Capacity Building Center for States (2021)
Children’s Bureau Express, 22(2)
Describes how data can be used along with family engagement strategies to understand the protective capacities of families and learn where additional supports may be needed.