Child Abuse Prevention plans have long focused on reducing certain risk factors for child abuse. Increasingly, prevention programs are focusing on supporting positive conditions which research has shown are linked to a lower incidence of child abuse and neglect. The Five Protective factors are attributes that serve as buffers, helping parents who might otherwise be at risk of abusing their children to find resources, supports, or coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress.
1 Parents have a nurturing relationship with their children and have developed caring bonds. Children can trust their parents will provide what they need to thrive- including love, acceptance, positive guidance, and protection.
2 Parents understand how children develop. Parents have realistic expectations of what their children are capable of and have knowledge of positive guidance techniques.
3 Parents have social connections which provide them emotional support, encouragement, and assistance in the daily challenges of raising a family.
4 Parents are resilient in stressful life situations. Parents have a positive attitude, creatively solve problems and are able to address life's challenges without directing their frustration at their children.
5 Parents have access to resources. Parents need to be connected to resources such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, child care, health care and mental health care.
Choices for Children's role as a Child Care Resource & Referral agency, is naturally supportive of the Five Protective Factors. Our agency has a wealth of materials in our Resource Libraries (Cameron Park, South Lake Tahoe, & Alpine County) on Child Development, Positive Guidance, Social-Emotional Development, Activities Ideas, as well as educational toys. Our agency also connects families to child care as well as other local resources.
"Our programs put families at the center of a community of supports."
Child Care Providers: Parenting is challenging job. You are in an ideal position to help support and strengthen the parents and families of children in your care. Check out this self-assessment for an outline of techniques and ideas to improve your supporting role.
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