Protective Factors
November 16, 2012
Children and Youth of Today
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Children are exposed to more today than ever
before.
ACES – Adverse Childhood Events Study - 2008
national study of children exposed to violence.
Over 60% of children are exposed to some type of
violence.
Bullying, Community Violence, Domestic and
Intimate Partner Violence, Child Abuse and Neglect,
Sexual Abuse, Teen Dating Violence
Technology and Media
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Violent images are more prevalent and
available than ever before.
Children and Youth become desensitized to
violence because of high levels of exposure.
High level of violence in the community along
with exposure to violence leads to increased
numbers of traumatized children.
What is Child Abuse?
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Physical Abuse – any act which, regardless
of intent, results in a non-accidental physical
injury or threat of injury.
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Physical Neglect – the failure to provide for a
child’s physical survival needs to the extent
that there is harm or risk of harm to the
child’s health or safety.
What is Child Abuse?
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Sexual Abuse – acts of sexual assault and
sexual exploitation of minors.
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Emotional/Mental Abuse - chronic pattern of
behaviors such as verbal assaults and/or
consistent failure to provide a child with
appropriate support, attention, and affection.
Risk Factors for Parents
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Immaturity and unrealistic expectations by the parent
Unmet emotional needs of the parent
Stresses of child care
Economic crisis
Domestic violence
Lack of parenting knowledge
Stressful relationships
Depression or other mental health problems
Drug or alcohol problems
Special Needs Child
Isolation
History of maltreatment as a child
Characteristics of At Risk Children
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Acting Out Behaviors
Aggressive
Defiant
Disrespectful
Impulsive
Low Self-Esteem
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Poor Health
Poor Social Skills
Poor School
Performance
Regressed Behaviors
Truancy
Withdrawn
Protective Factors
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Protective Factors were developed to help
families from a strengths based approach.
Parents identify and build on their own
strengths to enhance their parenting.
Children can enhance their protective factors
as well.
Empathy is a critical component to a child’s
success.
Empathy
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Empathy is the ability to imagine yourself in another
person’s place and understand the other person’s
feelings, desires, ideas, and actions.
Empathy for another person opens the door to
deeper understanding and connection.
Empathy can help a child feel understood.
Empathy is key to Social and Emotional
Competence of the Child.
Working with Families
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Once you have identified a family is at risk for child
maltreatment, you can offer support and provide
tools that will enhance their parenting.
Some families require more professional intervention
such as Child Protective Services. Greater
Richmond SCAN, ChildSavers, RBHA and Rubicon.
are additional examples of local service providers
that work with families who are at risk.
However, as a community, there are several steps
you can take to strengthen a family’s protective
factors.
Nurturing and Attachment
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Definition: Parents have a close bond with their children which
helps them to better understand, respond to and communicate
with their children.
This is critical for young children – babies need to be nurtured
and attached to a caregiver.
Model appropriate nurturing techniques such as holding the
baby, making eye contact with the baby and talking with the
baby.
Encourage family to continue nurturing child as he grows older
such as holding hands, reading stories together with child on
lap, giving physical praise such as a hug or high five when child
accomplishes something.
Help families understand that babies cannot be spoiled during
the first year of life and that gentle physical contact is important.
Nurturing and Attachment
How do you attend to your child?
 How do you respond to your child?
 How do you display affection?
 How do you recognize
accomplishments?
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Knowledge of Parenting and of
Child/Youth Development
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Knowledge changes over time – research, social expectations,
social structures and laws all influence these changes.
It is impossible for any parent to know everything there is to
know about parenting and child development but it is important
to know major child development milestones and have some
tools in their parenting tool kit for love, structure, discipline,
communication, etc.. .
For example, it is important for a parent to know that they want
to parent in a way that will encourage open communication with
her child and foster independence.
Simple handouts and references for child development
milestones is a great way to foster this protective factor.
www.FAMrichmond.org is an excellent online resource.
Hosting parenting workshops and having parenting library is
another great tool.
Knowledge of Parenting and Child
Development
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How do you view your role as a parent?
How do you encourage positive behavior and
model appropriate behavior.
What do you know about child development?
How do you encourage healthy
development?
Parental Resilience
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Definition: Parents have flexibility and inner strength necessary to
bounce back when things are not going well.
Provide stable, supportive, and nurturing relationships with the child
and family.
Give support and encouragement to child and family.
Encourage child to develop a hobby or special interest that will foster
positive self-esteem.
Encourage child and family to reach out to others for support – make
referrals as needed.
Provide child and family with opportunities to make decisions and
model healthy decision making skills.
Encourage humor as a natural coping style.
Be honest with child and family.
Do not ignore child’s or family’s experiences because they are difficult
or uncomfortable.
Parental Resilience
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What are your coping strengths?
What are your stressors?
How does stress impact your parenting?
Social Connections
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Definition: Parents with a network of emotionally supportive friends,
family and neighbors often find it easier to care for their children and
themselves.
Church is often the cornerstone of social connections for the
community – make sure there is something for everyone.
A young single mother may not feel comfortable attending a parenting
workshop with 2 parent families. Explore options and be creative in
reaching out to everyone.
MOPS, Mocha Moms, Circle of Parents are all great groups for
parents of young children.
Important to nurture adults as individuals - not just as parents. Can
church offer babysitting service one evening so parents can worship,
take a class or share a meal without their children?
We are social beings – parenting in isolation is very difficult.
Social Connections
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Who is your current support system?
What are some things you enjoy doing?
What do your friends do with their children?
Are you parenting similar to others around
you?
Concrete Support for Parents
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Families who can meet their own basic needs are
better able to ensure their children’s safety and wellbeing.
Examples of concrete supports: adequate housing,
food, clothing, transportation along with access to
appropriate mental health, medical and dental care.
Food cupboards, clothing closets, assistance with
transportation are all tangible needs that families
require.
Having a directory of services to go to helps – use
211.org or call 211.
Concrete Supports
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What are your immediate needs?
Do you know how to access services?
Are your children’s needs met on a consistent basis?
Who do you turn to in times of crisis?
Social and Emotional Competence of
Child
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Definition: Children’s emerging ability to interact positively with
others, self-regulate their behavior, and effectively
communicate their feelings has a positive impact on their
relationships with their family, other adults, and peers.
Teach children a feelings vocabulary and use it properly.
Model expected behaviors and be diligent about behavior in
your classroom.
Use art and play as means for expression.
Have materials available for parents so they can determine if
their child is developing appropriately.
Social and Emotional Competence
of the Child
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Do you think your child interacts positively with
others?
Do others agree with you?
Can your child regulate him/her self to appropriate
degree?
How does your child communicate his/her feelings?
How do you communicate your feelings?
General Suggestions for Working with
At Risk families
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Remember to be a role model – we never know when what we say and what
we do may have a great impact on another.
Ask for help.
Do not make promises you cannot keep. If abuse is occurring, you cannot
promise not to tell anyone or that nothing will happen. You have an obligation
to society to take action – to be a steward for that child.
Be realistic – both in terms of what you can provide for the family and what the
outcomes will be.
Find the strengths. We all like to hear what we are doing well. Start with that
for families and then, move into gentle suggestions. For example, you are so
connected to your children. I love how bonded they are to you. I’m wondering
though if you ever feel like you could use a break – maybe 30 minutes or a few
hours just for yourself. We have this great mom’s morning out at our church if
you are interested.
Stay involved. At risk families will not become safe, stable and nurturing
families overnight. Be prepared to stay involved as you can with the family.
Have healthy boundaries. If you exhaust yourself or put yourself in difficult
financial situations, you are no longer as effective as you were. It is appropriate
to say no at times.
Helpful Resources
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www.handinhandparenting.org
www.childtrauma.org
www.cdc.gov
www.childwelfare.gov
www.211virginia.org
Denise Noble, dnoble@grscan.com 257-7226,
www.grscan.com, www.FAMRichmond.org