Did you know that one in seven children in the United States will experience child abuse or neglect each year (according to the Colorado Department of Human Services)? Unfortunately, child abuse can happen in any community, but we can work together so all children can live in safe homes.
As part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, officially recognized by the Board of Douglas County Commissioners at their April 8 Business Meeting, take time to learn about protective factors that strengthen families.
Strengthening Families
Parenting is hard for everyone, so it’s ok to reach out and build support for your family.
Research has shown that five protective factors can strengthen families and build brighter childhoods: parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, knowledge of parenting and child development, and social-emotional competence of children. Learn more about each factor on the Colorado Department of Human Services webpage.
Parents and caregivers can also lean on the expertise and resources of the Healthy Families Partnership of Douglas County. The partnership was formed in 2023 with the sole focus of providing supportive information and services tailored to local families.
“As a father of three, I know how challenging parenting can be, so in my role as Commissioner, I have been so honored to work alongside my colleagues to develop our Healthy Families Partnership, the Mental Health Initiative, and combat Child Trafficking to not just say we are concerned about Child Abuse Prevention but also take decisive action to care for the most vulnerable among us and save lives,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. “Visit YourHealthyFamily.org for resources.”
Because each stage in a child’s life can present new challenges and questions, the Healthy Families Partnership offers tools from pregnancy through high school, including:
- Safe sleep
- Child development (all ages)
- Car seat safety
- Maternal mood disorders
- Parental stressors
Visit our webpage for a comprehensive list of resources and information from 15 subject matter expert organizations focused on helping every member of the family adjust, succeed, and thrive.