Northern Kentucky Strengthening Families is a collaborative effort that offers a framework for nurturing the wellness and resilience of NKY families. This local collaborative, that is based on the Strengthening Families Protective Factors framework, promotes key principles and proven strategies that ensure organizational success in promoting protective factors. NKY Strengthening Families is also part of the Kentucky Strengthening Families Initiative.

Strengthening Families is a research-based framework developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP.org) used to engage families, programs, and communities with the goal to increase family strengths, enhance child development, and decrease the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.  Strengthening Families achieves this by focusing on the exploration, development, and reinforcement of five protective factors. Parents want what is best for their children. Supporting families is a key strategy for promoting school readiness and preventing child abuse and neglect. All families experience times of stress and research demonstrates that children grow and learn best in families who have the supports and skills to deal with those times. By supporting families and building their skills to cope with stressors, we can increase school readiness and reduce the likelihood abuse will occur in families.

What is the Kentucky Strengthening Families Initiative?

Goal Statement: Kentucky is strengthening families by enhancing Protective Factors that reduce the impact of aversity and increase the well-being of children and families through family, community and state partnerships.

Vision Statement: All Kentucky children are healthy, safe and prepared to succeed in school and in life through families that are supported and strengthened within their community.

Kentucky Strengthening Families (KYSF) Initiative represents a multi-disciplinary partnership of over 20 national, state and local organizations in the public and private sectors dedicated to embedding six research-based Protective Factors into services and supports for children and their families. KYSF is aligning practice with developmental science to be more responsive to trauma, paying attention to developmental issues and supporting parents/caregivers in nurturing the children in their care by building Protective Factors not just reducing risk.  It is a changed relationship with caregivers/youth (Family/Youth-Driven) by working together to achieve positive outcomes.  KYSF is an evidence-informed approach-not a model, a program or a curriculum-that can be adapted to many different settings and service delivery models.  Learn more about KYSF: https://www.kentuckycchc.org/kentucky-strengthening-families

Parental Resilience
The ability to bounce forward and manage the stress of daily life, challenges and crisis that occur as well as adapt despite current or past trauma.

Social Connections
Having positive, reliable relationships that provide support, buffer stress and encourage positive parenting.

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Developing alternative parenting strategies, setting realistic expectations and supporting children to achieve developmental milestones.

Social & Emotional Competence of Children
Children’s ability to communicate clearly, recognize and manage their emotions and form and keep positive relationships.

Concrete Support in Time of Need.
Access to support and services related to the family’s needs that help minimize stress and promote family wellness.

Nurturing & Attachment
The child’s early connection and experiences with a caring adult that help children feel safe and secure.