FAMILY STRENGTHENING

FAMILY SUPPORT

An Assessment Tool - Integrating a Strengthening Families Approach into Early Childhood System Development
The Build Initiative developed this assessment tool to help state early childhood system leaders identify where they are in implementing systems of programs, services and practices that incorporate protective factors as an integral part of early childhood systems.  Adapted from the CSSP’s assessment for early care and education programs, this tool was broadened to look at all components of an early childhood development system. 

Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education Web Site
The website of the Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education initiative of the Center for the Study of Social Policy proposes an effective and affordable strategy for child abuse and neglect prevention.

Parent Support Advisory Group - Preliminary Recommendations to Early Learning Council
This PowerPoint presentation being utilized in early care and education efforts in Washington state discusses the importance of parent support to early learning and identifies specific "Pillars of Support" that help families succeed.

Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education
This PowerPoint presentation describes the Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education initiative of the Center for the Study of Social Policy.  It includes a description of protective factors, and identifies state pilot projects.

FAMILY LEAVE RESOURCES

Institute for Women's Policy Research
The Institute conducts rigorous research and disseminates its findings to address the needs of women, promote public policy dialogue, and strengthen families, communities, and societies.

Labor Project for Working Families
At the Labor Project for Working Families they believe that workers should not have to choose between their jobs and caring for their loved ones.  In 'Paid Leave' section of the web site they offer a wide range of resources on family leave.

What Children Need from Their Parents' Employers
Ellen Bravo of the Multi-State Working Families Consortium presented this PowerPoint at the Building Systems for Babies meeting in November 2006.  The presentation examines challenges and barriers that working parents face and their impact on children.

Where Families Matter: State Progress Toward Valuing America's Families
State and federal policies have failed to keep up with the family needs of a workforce that has changed dramatically in the last few decades.  This report from the National Partnership for Women and Families provides a comprehensive overview of the paid family and medical leave initiatives that have been introduced in state legislatures in 2005.