Strengthening Families Georgia
We help child and family serving organizations and systems to see their work as building and promoting protective factors to bolster resilience, create safe and nurturing environments for children, and mitigate the impact of traumatic events when they occur.
Protective Factors
Strengthening Families™ is a research-informed framework and approach to preventing child abuse and neglect. Developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy, this approach focuses on family and community strengths and Protective Factors rather than risk factors. Protective Factors are what helps children and families thrive despite whatever risk factors they might face. Protective factors aren’t just for families that are at risk for child abuse and neglect because all families benefit from having strong protective factors.
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia is pleased to support the implementation of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework by leading a statewide partnership, providing support to organizations embedding the framework and delivering trainings to parents and professionals.
What is Resilience?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from or push through life’s difficulties. It can be described as determination, toughness, optimism, faith, and hope. Using the Protective Factors to build resilience is how we strengthen families and improve the health and wellness of children.
What does this look like?
• Children have close relationships with caregivers or other caring adults
• Caregivers have resilience to bounce back
• Caregivers use positive parenting skills
• Communities have a sense of purpose (through faith, culture, identity, etc.)
• There are opportunities to connect socially
• Practical support services for parents and families are available
Resilience in Caregivers
Caregivers who can cope with the stresses of everyday life, as well an occasional crisis, have resilience; they have the flexibility and inner strength necessary to bounce back when things are not going well. Multiple life stressors, such as a family history of abuse or neglect, health problems, marital conflict, or domestic or community violence—and financial stressors such as unemployment, poverty, and homelessness—may reduce a parent’s capacity to cope effectively with the typical day-to-day stresses of raising children.
Resilience in Children
Children aren’t necessarily born with resilience, but scientists now believe that certain children have higher levels of resilience. But the good news for all children is that resilience is like a muscle – the more you exercise it, the stronger it grows, especially in very young children.
How do We Grow Resilience? Children learn resilience from external influences such as their family, caregivers and the community around them. Protective Factors and positive childhood experiences help explain why some people who experience adversity as children fare well in adulthood.
Resilience Buffers Adverse Childhood Experience
When caregivers and especially children have supportive relationships, concrete supports, and social and emotional competence, they are better able to cope with adverse experiences they may encounter.
By forming positive relationships, community members can work together to build a resilient, vibrant neighborhood and create opportunities to further integrate the Protective Factors. Safe communities can provide a buffer for children against adverse childhood and community experiences. These children then build resilience! There are many ways Protective Factors are being utilized within Georgia communities.
Resilience Resources
- American Psychiatric Association– Defining and Cultivating Resilience
- HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) – a new way of seeing and talking about experiences that support children’s growth and development into healthy, resilient adults
- Children’s Trust Fund Alliance – Parental Resilience One-Pager
- The Center for the Study of Social Policy Parental Resilience Action Guide
- Mindful- How to Be A Resilient Parent
Social Connections – Positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental and spiritual support.
Friends, family members, neighbors and community members provide emotional support, help solve problems, offer parenting advice and give concrete assistance to parents. Networks of support are essential to parents and also offer opportunities for people to “give back”, an important part of self- esteem as well as a benefit for the community. Isolated families may need extra help in reaching out to build positive relationships.
During this time of social distancing, or as we prefer to call it, physical distancing, it is more important than ever to maintain your social connections. Whether that means Facetiming your child’s grandparents, participating in a virtual gathering of your friends, calling your neighbors to check-in, or increasing the time spent together with your housemates, we all need to continue supporting each other during this stressful time. Children also need social connections to help manage their anxiety and stress. Set up a Facebook or Facetime playgroup for older children. Go outside for a walk and point out the sights you see with younger children.
Social Connections Resources
- Child Welfare Information Gateway- Social Connectedness Resources
- Children’s Trust Fund Alliance – Social Connections
Knowledge of Parenting and Child and Youth Development – Parents Know How Children and Youth Grow and Learn
Parents who understand the basics of child development have more realistic expectations of their children. These parents are better equipped to provide an appropriate amount of nurturing, supervision, and guidance. When parents understand their roles in their children’s lives and learn about specific parenting techniques and strategies, they can form positive relationships with their children and have options for appropriate responses to typical child behaviors.
Healthychildren.org is a great resource to learn about each stage of child and youth development. They provide helpful information from prenatal to teen. Click Ages and Stages to learn more.
Additionally, parents and children face many challenges during an extended time away from school. During this time, it is critically important for parents to maintain their children’s engagement with learning.
Find several free or discounted (and fun) online resources for students of all ages here.
See what to expect, encourage and additional resources by age range below!
0 to 1 year
What to Expect |
Movement/Physical Development: Newborn: rough, random, uncoordinated, reflexive movement 3 months: uses arms to prop; begins to visually track 5 months: purposeful grasp; roll over; head lag disappears; reaches for objects; transfer objects from hand to hand; plays with feet 7 months: sits in “tripod”; pushes head and torso up off the floor; supports weight on legs 9 months: gets to and from sitting; crawls, pulls to standing; stooping and recovering; finger- thumb opposition; eye- hand coordination, crawls 12 months: pulls up to a stand, cruises around furnitureSocial/Emotional/Attachment: Birth – 1 year: learns fundamental trust in self, caretakers, environment, settles when comforted 4 months: smiles spontaneously, especially at people 6 months: responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy 9 months: socially interactive; plays games with caretakers 11 months: stranger anxiety; separation anxiety; solitary playCognitive/Language: Birth – 1 year: Will go from cooing to babbling to using single words by age one 4 months: begins to babble, babbles with expression and copies sounds he hears, cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, or being tired 6 months: shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are out of reach 12 months: points to pictures in books in response to verbal cue; receptive language more advanced than expressive language |
What to Encourage |
Learn and observe all that you can about your developing infant – what do they like, what makes them content, etc. Keep infants where they are safe, loved and their needs are met so they can grow and develop. Establish a routine/schedule so that the infant will learn to rely on their parent to meet their needs. Make eye contact and talk to your baby. Encourage social interaction through talk and play. Advance your activities with your child as he gets older and shows preferences.Parents and caregivers who just talk as they go about their daily activities expose their children to 1,000 – 2,000 every hour! |
Resources |
Monitor your child’s developmental milestones to make sure their growth is on track in all areas. These resources are for ages 0-5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Parents Guide to Developmental Milestones Ages 0-5: How Kids Develop: Better Brains for Babies: American Academy of Pediatrics: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Strong4Life: Pathways.org (Resources available in several languages) |
Age 1
What to Expect |
Movement/Physical Development:
Social and Emotional Competence:
Cognitive:
Language/Communication:
|
What to Encourage |
|
Resources |
Monitor your child’s developmental milestones to make sure their growth is on track in all areas. These resources are for ages 0-5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Parents Guide to Developmental Milestones Ages 0-5: How Kids Develop: Better Brains for Babies: American Academy of Pediatrics: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Strong4Life: Pathways.org (Resources available in several languages) |
Age 2
What to Expect |
Movement/Physical Development:
Social/Emotional:
Cognitive:
Language/Communication:
|
What to Encourage |
|
Resources |
Monitor your child’s developmental milestones to make sure their growth is on track in all areas. These resources are for ages 0-5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Parents Guide to Developmental Milestones Ages 0-5: How Kids Develop: Better Brains for Babies: American Academy of Pediatrics: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Strong4Life: Pathways.org (Resources available in several languages) |
Age 3
What to Expect |
Movement/Physical Development:
Social/Emotional:
Cognitive:
Language/Communication:
|
What to Encourage |
|
Resources |
Monitor your child’s developmental milestones to make sure their growth is on track in all areas. These resources are for ages 0-5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Parents Guide to Developmental Milestones Ages 0-5: How Kids Develop: Better Brains for Babies: American Academy of Pediatrics: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Strong4Life: Pathways.org (Resources available in several languages) |
Age 4
What to Expect |
Movement/Physical Development:
Social/Emotional:
Cognitive:
Language/Communication:
|
What to Encourage |
|
Resources |
Monitor your child’s developmental milestones to make sure their growth is on track in all areas. These resources are for ages 0-5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Parents Guide to Developmental Milestones Ages 0-5: How Kids Develop: Better Brains for Babies: American Academy of Pediatrics: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Strong4Life: Pathways.org (Resources available in several languages) |
Age 5
What to Expect |
Movement/Physical Development:
Social/Emotional:
Cognitive:
Language/Communication:
|
What to Encourage |
A parent’s positive involvement in the transition from Pre-K to grade school is key in improving a child’s school outcomes, both in kindergarten and beyond. Develop social connections with other parents and caregivers. |
Resources |
The resources are meant to help parents and children make a smooth transition to kindergarten.
https://www.decal.ga.gov/Prek/TransitionToKindergarten.aspx
https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/parental-involvement-in-schools
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/kindergarten-here-we-come
http://www.nea.org/home/59881.htm
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/transitions/article/transition-kindergarten |
Ages 6 to 8
What to Expect |
Physical Development:
Social/Emotional:
Cognitive:
Language/Communication:
|
What to Encourage |
Get involved with your child’s school. Meet the teachers and staff and get to understand their learning goals and how you and the school can work together to help your child do well. |
Resources |
https://www.apa.org/act/resources/fact-sheets/development-10-years Spanish version: https://www.apa.org/act/resources/espanol/facultades-10-anos
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/pdfs/middle-childhood-6-8-w-npa.pdf
https://www.parenttoolkit.com/
|
Ages 9 to 12
What to Expect |
Physical Development:
Social/Emotional:
and position
Cognitive/Language:
|
What to Encourage |
|
Resources |
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7060-adolescent-development
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/talk-about-puberty.html
https://childmind.org/article/tips-communicating-with-teen/
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/middle2.html
https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/tween-and-teen/things-kids-should-know-how-to-do/
https://www.parents.com/kids/development/parenting-a-tween-is-actually-pretty-great/ |
Ages 13 to 18
What to Expect |
Social/Emotional:
Cognitive:
|
What to Encourage |
Tips for Parents:
Teens are often energetic, thoughtful, and idealistic, with a deep interest in what’s fair and right. So, although it can be a period of conflict between parent and child, the teen years are also a time to help kids grow into the distinct individuals they will become. |
Resources |
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/adolescence2.html
https://keepconnected.searchinstitute.org/understanding-ages-and-stages/ages-15-18/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adolescence
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2019/06/parenting-teens
|
Additional Resources
- The Center for the Study of Social Policy Knowledge of Child Development Action Guide
- National Association for the Education of Young Children – Tips for Child Development in Practice
- Zero to Three – Resources for Child Development
- Children’s Trust Fund Alliance – Knowledge of Child Development One-Pager
- Better Brains for Babies Georgia
Social and Emotional Competence of Children – Family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate
clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions and establish and maintain relationships. A child’s relationship with a consistent, caring adult in the early years is associated later in life with better academic grades, healthier behaviors, more positive peer interactions and an increased ability to cope with stress. Set the example by using words and having conversations in stressful moments, replace negative communication with neutral, problem solving, and empathetic encouraging ones (YES, this takes practice!)
20 Phrases to use when your child isn’t listening
Empathy is a social-emotional skill and protective factor that develops throughout a child’s life, and an early start can help children be more successful friends, students, and family members.
Resources to build children’s empathy and social-emotional skills:
- Help Your Child Develop Empathy
- Educators Can Foster Empathy
- Kids Who Care About the Common Good
- Social Emotional Skill Building Activity
- Managing Emotions PBS Kids toolkit
- Connections Matter Georgia, Training for Adults
Helping Students Have the Conversation About Social Emotional Well-Being
By Cheryl Benefield, GPA Family and Community Engagement Specialist
Promoting the social emotional well-being of children and youth is a primary concern of both educators and families. As we work to develop practices and make programmatic decisions that support positive school climate, it is important to remember that helping students enhance interpersonal relationships is also critical. The infographic, “Seven Super Skills to Help a Friend in Need,” was created for Mental Health First Aid by the National Council for Behavioral Health. Developing expectations that promote internal competencies of this nature can empower students to care for others as well as themselves.
Social and Emotional Resources
- National Association for the Education of Young Children – Social & Emotional Development Resources
- Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
- Committee for Children – Social Emotional Learning
Concrete Support in Times of Need – Access to concrete support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges.
All parents can use a little help from their friends and communities. Even in the best of circumstances, parents need help with day-to-day childcare, help figuring out how to soothe a colicky baby, help getting to the emergency room after an accident, and help managing their emotions when a stressful event occurs. When faced with additional stresses such as losing a job, eviction, addition, not being able to feed their family, or trauma, parents need access to concrete family support and services to address these needs and minimize stress.
One good way to help a struggling family is to offer assistance in identifying, finding, and getting concrete support. When faced with overwhelmingly stressful conditions, we all need support. But seeking out help is always not an easy thing to do. Keep in mind that admitting we need help can feel like an admission of incompetence or that we are unable to solve our own problems or take care of ourselves and our families. While some fear others’ judgment, other parents may not seek family support because they don’t know where to go or how to find the services they need.
FindHelpGA.org is a centralized way to access community resources throughout the state. Find Help Georgia is available to caregivers and professionals looking for supportive resources and referrals.
There are three ways help seekers can search for resources: by entering in your zip code, using an online chat or calling to speak with a Find Help Georgia Specialist toll free at 1-800-244-5373, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Everyday Actions that Support Families
- Families feel supported when asking for help.
- Respond immediately- provide information and connections
- Help families to develop skills & tools they need to identify their needs & connect to supports.
- Build relationships with families so they share challenges.
How Can You Use The Protective Factors?
Training for Professionals
NATIONAL ONLINE TRAINING
Online training is provided by the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds featuring the overview and protective factors modules.
ONLINE BFTS TRAINING
Georgia Quality Rated programs are able to get BFTS credit for taking the online SFG courses through ProSolutions at no charge
IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL TRAINING
Six individual 2-hour SFG training modules can be presented face-to-face by one of the over 130 approved SFG Trainers. Five of the trainers are bilingual and can present in Spanish.
- Overview- An Effective Approach to Supporting Families and Communities
- Parental Resilience
- Social Connections
- Knowledge of Child Development
- Concrete Support in Times of Need
- Social and Emotional Competence in Children
Click here for a description of each module along with the learning objectives.
Who are they intended for?
Face-to-face trainings are intended for family and child serving professionals, community agencies, school or early care employees, or anyone who is interested in supporting families in their area.
REGISTER FOR A VIRTUAL 2-HOUR TRAINING
- Strengthening Families Overview: February 8, 2023 at 10am
- Building Parental Resilience: April 4, 2023 at 10am
- Helping Parents Build Social Connections: June 15, 2023 at 10am
- Growing Social & Emotional Competence in Children: August 9, 2023 at 10am
- Increasing Parental Knowledge of Child Development: Oct 12, 2023 at 10am
- Providing Concrete Support in Times of Need: Dec 7, 2023 at 10am
REQUEST A TRAINING
Use the form below to request an in-person or virtual SFG training. Select “Strengthening Families Protective Factors” in the form below along with the Protective Factor Module of your choice.
TRAINING OF THE TRAINERS
Georgia Trainers can participate, upon acceptance, in a 12-hour Strengthening Families Georgia Train the Trainer (TOT). TOTs are offered annually and the next TOT will be offered August 15-16, 2023.
SFG Parent Café
The SFG Parent Cafés are conversations among parents about what it takes to keep their families strong. Parent Cafés can take place in early childhood centers or other friendly environments, and they’re a safe place to talk about the “hard stuff.” Trained parents lead the discussion as parent participants explore questions that really matter—about taking care of yourself, raising strong children, and building strong relationships with your children. The Parent Café model is based on the World Café model for engaging people in conversations that matter.
Parent Cafés offer:
1. An approach for engaging parents and families in conversations about themselves and their children
2. A method for building protective factors in families
3. An opportunity for developing parent leadership
Find Resources for Caregivers
The Basics
- The Concrete Support in Times of Need Resource List identifies and briefly explains Georgia services in the areas of Housing, Transportation, Food, Child Care, Health Care, Finance and Assets, and Behavioral Health.
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- Healthy Relationship and Marriage Education Training (HRMET) offers free tools online helpful in your continued efforts to develop and maintain healthy couple relationships. To access and print out these new tools, visit http://www.nermen.org/HRMET/tools/index.php
- New Texting Service for Parents- Calling all parents of 4 & 5 year-olds! It’s time to sign-up for free tips and resources, via three simple texts per week, to help get your little one ready for kindergarten! Thanks to the Georgia Department of Education and Stanford University, Georgia has it’s very own FREE text service for parents. Just text GAready4K to 313131 to join! It’s FREE!
- Find Help Georgia (1-800-244-5373)is a new online resource center that addresses the real needs of people across the state by linking those seeking help with appropriate supportive services via an online, user-friendly platform, webchat, call center, and free mobile app!
Parents As Advocates
- Parents, Let Your Voice Be Heard! Join Georgia’s parent Advisory Council and work with the Prevention and Community Support Section (PCS) within the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services to help expand meaningful partnerships between parents and staff throughout the system. PCS is committed to promoting the voices of parents throughout its work to strengthen families and engage communities. Apply Now to Let Your Voice be Heard.
- What Parents Say About…… Keeping Families Together and Strong Through Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies. The National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds (Alliance) joined with a group of birth parents to produce this issue brief that includes the perspectives of parents with life experiences
related to the child welfare system and prevention resources.
Child Growth and Development Resources
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- The ABC’s of Child Development & The Child Development Tracker www.pbs.org
- Child Developmental Milestones Checklist, Training Videos and Free Children’s Books (Learn the Signs. Act Early.) https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/
- CDC’s Milestone Tracker app, free and parent-friendly, is designed to track and celebrate your young child’s development from ages 2 months through 5 years, see photos and videos that illustrate milestones, try new activities to support your child’s early development, get helpful reminders for appointments, and more! Get information on downloading the app online. The app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.
- Child Development and Positive Parenting Tips:for each stage of development https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/index.html
- National Association for the Education of Young Children website for families www.families.naeyc.org or sign up for their parent newsletter http://www.naeyc.org/content/stay-connected
- American Academy of Pediatrics www.healthychildren.org
- ZERO TO THREE http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/areas-of-expertise/free-parent-brochures-and-guides/
- Watch Me Thrive http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ecd/watch-me-thrive/families
- Tip Sheets for Parents and Caregivers from Building Community, Building Hope
- DOE’s Parent Engagement and Transition to Kindergarten for Parents http://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/School-Transition.aspx
- Great Start Georgia https://www.greatstartgeorgia.org/
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Strong4Life http://www.strong4life.com/
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Early Literacy Toolkit http://littoolkit.aap.org/Pages/home.aspx
- Set the example by using words and having conversations in stressful moments, replace negative communication with neutral, problem solving, and empathetic encouraging ones (YES, this takes practice!)20 Phrases to use when your child isn’t listening
About Strengthening Families Georgia
Strengthening Families Georgia (SFG) represents a multi-disciplinary partnership of nearly 50 national, state and local, and public and private organizations dedicated to embedding five research-based Protective Factors into services and supports for children and their families. SFG is housed at Prevent Child Abuse Georgia located within Georgia State University.
The Leadership Team embodies our mission of utilizing the protective factors framework in all programs and services. The Leadership Team is made up of approximately 20 members and provides direction and guidance for embedding the five protective factors in all areas of related work through:
- Policy and systems changes
- Data driven decision-making
- Integration and prioritization
- Resource identification and leverage
- Coordination and collaboration with similar state efforts
Contact [email protected] for details on becoming part of SFG’s Leadership.
The Partnership represents a broad range of over 50 partners who help embed Strengthening Families into their work settings and communities. The Partnership is charged with implementing the Strengthening Families Georgia Strategic Plan. To attend meetings and be actively involved contact Kendra Cole, Strengthening Families Georgia Statewide Coordinator at [email protected].
View Partner Spotlights
With continued funding and the expertise and support of a multi-disciplinary Leadership Team and Partnership Strengthening Families Georgia has seen steady growth and expansion beyond early childhood, and includes cross-disciplinary efforts and parent partnerships to produce changes in practices and policies. If you are aware of funding opportunities that would be a good fit for SFG or would like to embed the Protective Factors into your organization please contact [email protected].
Supporters though unable to attend meetings and be actively involved, want to remain informed and updated about Strengthening Families Georgia. To receive updates on Strengthening Families Georgia please send your name and email address to [email protected].
Strengthening Families Georgia Coordinator
Kendra Cole, MPA, leads the statewide SFG initiative by working with organizations to embed the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework. Throughout her career, Kendra has supported families through training, coaching, and advocacy. She is a passionate advocate for family well-being and education equity. She has years of experience educating families on topics related to child abuse prevention, family engagement, leadership, and parents as advocates. In previous roles, Kendra led teams in providing high-quality services to children and families.
Strengthening Families Georgia Chair
Debbie Hillman, an Early Childhood Consultant with numerous affiliations, has been elected as the Chair of SFG as of October 2019. Debbie has served on the Leadership Team, as well as the Governance and Strategic Planning Committees, and we look forward to working with her in this new role. She can be reached at [email protected]
Find SFG Key Messages and Communication Resources. HERE
Print or request a SFG Poster or Rack Card for your office
- Strengthening Families Georgia Promotional items
- Translated Documents from CSSP
As a research-informed approach, Strengthening Families is the product of both foundational and ongoing research and knowledge development.
Strengthening Families is implemented through small but significant changes in daily practice, supported by shifts at the program level that allow workers to make those changes. A number of tools are available to support those shifts in practice.
- SFG Professional Primer
- Ways to Embed Protective Factors in Your Organization
- Evaluation
- Program Self-Assessments– includes evaluation tools for early care educators, home visitors, and community based programs
- Protective Factor Assessments for Parents
- SFG embedded in other programs– includes protective factors and programs such home visiting, relationship and marriage education, Period of PURPLE Crying and more
- Practice Tools for Child Welfare
- Parent Engagement Toolkit
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Head Start Programs and Families: Recommendations for Health Care Providers and Policymakers
Contact Us
Address
Physical: | 140 Decatur Street SE 1st Floor, Suite 178 Atlanta, GA 30303 |
Mailing: | P.O. Box 3995 Atlanta, GA 30302 |