RESOURCE COLLECTION

Strong Communities Help Prevent Children From Entering Foster Care

A key component of preventing child abuse and neglect is developing community-based supports that promote family well-being. Child neglect is far too often confused with poverty, but children should never be separated from their parents because of poverty or because a community's lack of resources to support the needs of the families.

It is time to do things differently—to move from the challenge to the change, and work to shift societal attitudes about parenting so that family well-being becomes a community-wide responsibility. When families have access to the help they need in their communities, they can stay together safely.

Embracing community also means embracing the expertise of those with lived experience. Families and community members with lived experience are best positioned to know what natural supports are available in their neighborhoods, to understand the strengths and challenges of families, and to propose innovative solutions. It is essential to tap into that wisdom.   Our communities become stronger when our children and families are supported. The Why Prevention Matters video collection provides real life examples of the power of receiving community-based services early-on and emphasizes the impact they have on preventing families from becoming involved in the child welfare system.   These videos are a great tool to incorporate lived experience in your strategies and to help transform your work.

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