Protective Factors Framework
Protective Factors are skills, strengths, resources, supports or coping strategies that help families deal more effectively with the challenges and stessors of life. While there are many types of protective factors that keep families strong, the Center for the Study of Social Policy utilized findings from field observations, a thorough review of research and input from prevention and early childhood experts to develop the Strengthening FamiliesTM Protective Factors Framework. This framework indentifies five specific protective factors that represent the essential qualities and resources that families need to maintain the necessary health and well-being to support optimal child development. The five protective factors are:
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Social and Emotional Competence of Children
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Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
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Social Connections
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Parental Resilience
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Concrete Support in Times of Need
The five Protective Factors strengthen the roots of family well-being and provide a common language to talk about family strength. To be most effective, knowledge of the five Protective Factors needs to be integrated into all aspects of organizational and community interactions with families.
The Prevention Board seeks to increase awareness and approaches that enhance protective factors
All Prevention Board efforts are grounded in
Strengthening FamiliesTM Protective Factors Framework. The Framework helps to identify and build upon the strengths and assets, and address the needs of families to enhance children's well-being while reducing the risk of child maltreatment. It is not a program, but an approach. It is designed to be incorporated into the work structure and everyday actions of those who interact with families, and to be utilized by families themselves as a framework that assists them in understanding, identifying, and building their own family strengths.