Healthy family network vital for children
Mention the word family and images instantly come to mind. But there’s a difference between a family and a healthy family.
Children’s Advocacy Center workers and District Attorney Lisa Zavogiannis want to stop child abuse in Warren County. A four-week campaign ‘Not One More’ has focused on awareness, prevention, safety and finally, this week focuses on building better families.
Families, traditional and nontraditional, can be healthy or unhealthy. Providing a healthy environment for children can ensure a positive future.
According to Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, there are five protective factors for promoting healthy families. When these factors are present, the health and well-being of children and families is increased:
‘ Nurturing and attachment ‘ A child’s early experience of being nurtured and developing a bond with a caring adult affects all aspect of behavior and development. Developing a trust with parents provides children with what they need to thrive ‘ love, acceptance, positive guidance, and protection.
‘ Knowledge of parenting and child and youth development ‘ Parents who know how children develop are more apt to understand how to set limits and encourage appropriate behavior. Child abuse and neglect are often associated with a lack of understanding.
‘ Parental resilience ‘ Parents need the ability to handle everyday stress and recover from occasional crisis. Parents with resilience are less likely to direct anger and frustration at their children.
‘ Social connections ‘ Trusted and caring family and friends, as well as a supportive community, provide emotional support. Social isolation and a perceived lack of support is linked to child maltreatment.
‘ Concrete supports for parents ‘ Parents need basic resources such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, and access to essential services that address family-specific needs, including childcare, health and mental health care, to ensure the health and well-being of their children.
When one of these factors is missing, parents can find help by talking to a friend, health care provider, counselor, or leader in church. Also, parents can join a support group, reach out to other parents, or take a class for parents.
Teachers and school counselors can provide information on other places that can help, and the Tennessee Parent Help line at 1-800-CHILDREN can provide someone to talk to and referrals for families experiencing problems or stress.
On April 29 at 6 p.m. there will be a ‘Not One More’ campaign rally held at the Warren County Administration Building. There will be several guest speakers, including Zavogiannis, available to answer questions.