Working to create a Safe and
Healthier Community takes all of
us!
Strengthening Families and
Communities
Joanne Mooney
Child Safety and Permanency
Fall, 2011
Minnesota Department
of Human Services
Guidelines for Responding to Child
Maltreatment and Domestic Violence
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Evidence of the co- occurrence of adult
domestic violence and child maltreatment
Best practice in the intervention and
treatment of child maltreatment should
address the co- occurrence of domestic
violence
Minnesota Department
of Human Services
Father Inclusion
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Minnesota Child and Family Services Reviews
(MNCFSR) is a CW federal effort to actively
involve fathers in the lives of their children.
Past CFSR’s have determined that MN father
engagement outcomes and performance needed
improvement. MN federal allotment tied to
improvements
State past through dollars to counties are tied to
improving performance
Minnesota Department
of Human Services
Engagement
 Assessment
 Case Planning and
implementation
 Monitoring and evaluation
 Case Closing
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Family and Community
Well-being
 Violence
and child abuse and
neglect can be prevented
 Strengthening Families and
Communities through
inclusivity and promoting
protective factors
How do you hope this
community looks after 10 20 years of your efforts to
strengthen families and
communities?
Minnesota Children’s Trust
Fund Mission
The Children’s Trust Fund works in partnership to
serve as a catalyst to prevent child abuse and neglect by
strengthening all Minnesota families and communities.
Minnesota Trust Fund
Practice
We carry out this mission with
many partners, supporting a
spectrum
of initiatives based on
current research and best
practice
Progress in family
violence intervention
Since 1970’s great progress
made in family intervention
 Immediate safety services
 Criminal justice system has
made strides towards
addressing family violence
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World Report on
Violence and Health
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Self-directed violence refers to violence where the perpetrator and the
victim are the same person. It is subdivided into self-abuse and suicide.
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Interpersonal violence refers to violence between individuals. The
category is subdivided into family and intimate partner violence, and
community violence. The former includes child maltreatment, intimate
partner violence and elder abuse. Community violence is broken down
into violence by acquaintances and violence by strangers. It convers
youth violence, assault by strangers, violence related to property and
violence in workplaces and other institutions.
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Collective Violence refers to violence committed by larger groups of
people and can be subdivided into social political and economic.
Adverse Childhood
Experience Study
Bridging the gap between childhood trauma and negative consequences later
in life . Average age of study participant – 57 years old reporting on
conditions prior to age 18. Threshold score – 4.
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Recurrent physical abuse
Recurrent emotional abuse
Contact sexual abuse
An alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household
An incarcerated household member
Someone in the home who is chronically
depressed, mentally ill, institutionalized, or
suicidal
Domestic Violence
One or both biological parents absent
Emotional or physical neglect
Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACE)
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Alcoholism and alcohol
abuse
Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)
Depression
Fetal death
Health-related quality of
life
Illicit drug use
Ischemic heart disease
(IHD)
Liver disease
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Risk for intimate partner
violence
Multiple sexual partners
Sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs)
Smoking
Suicide attempts
Unintended pregnancies
Early initiation of smoking
Early initiation of sexual
activity
Adolescent pregnancy
Adverse Childhood
Experiences
Early Death
Disease, Disability and Social
Problems
Adoption of Health-Risk Behaviors
Social, Emotional & Cognitive
Impairment
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Domestic/Partner
Violence – Risk Factors
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Being violent or aggressive in the past
Seeing or being a victim of violence as a
child
Using drugs or alcohol, especially
drinking heavily
Not having a job or other life events that
cause stress
Domestic/Partner Violence
Risk Factors Continued
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Major Depression / Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder
Experiencing economic or financial
difficulties
Lack of primary support
Occupational challenges
Difficulties with social environment
Housing
Moderate or serious impairment in social,
occupational or school functioning
Brain Development
“boy’s crisis”
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Mind of Boys – Gurian Institute
"boy's crisis"
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Boys receive up to 70% of the Ds and Fs given all students,
they create 90% classroom discipline problems,
80% all high school dropouts are boys,
millions of American boys are on Ritalin and other mindbending control drugs,
only 45% college students are boys,
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and three out of four learning disabled students are boys!
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Engaging Men Group
Activity
Father/Male Agency Assessment
See handout
Ramsey County
Family Transformation
Model
Building, Nurturing and
Sustaining Non-Violent,
Healthy Families Today
Family Transformation
Model
Framework
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The Family Transformation Model (FTM)
incorporates additional learning and
perspectives about individual and social
factors that precipitate family violence
Opens possibility for new prevention and
intervention strategies to break
intergenerational cycle of violence
Family Transformation Model
Framework
Recognition that family violence can arise
from a variety of factors that include:
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Childhood,
adolescent and
family history of
violence
unhealthy gender
roles
sexism
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poverty
racism
pervasive violent
messages typified
by media that has
normalized violent
attitudes and
behaviors
Family Transformation
Model Framework
The “new normal”
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The FTM engages individuals,
communities and systems.
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The FTM model provides
opportunities to develop and live in
peaceful and healthy relationships
Family Transformation Model
Framework
The “new normal” despite challenges there
are essential elements of “core health”
within people, and families these are:
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Growth
Independence &
Connection
Joy & Love
Compassion &
Empathy
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Courage
Insight & Wisdom
Potential
Self-Respect &
Self-Responsibility
Risk and Protective factors must
be addressed
Protective Factors
Risk Factors
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Poverty and economic disparity
Discrimination and oppression
Negative family dynamics
Firearms
Media violence
Alcohol and other drugs
Incarceration and re-entry
Experiencing and/or witnessing
violence
Community deterioration
Illiteracy and academic failure
Truancy
Mental illness
Traditional gender socialization
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Economic capital
Meaningful opportunities for
participation
Positive attachment and
relationships
Good physical and mental health
Built environment
Social capital
High quality services and
institutions
Emotional and cognitive
competence
Artistic and creative
opportunities
Ethnic, racial, and intergroup
relations
Media and marketing
Preventing violence requires an
integrated strategy for action
Primary Prevention
Secondary
Prevention
Tertiary Prevention
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Positive early care and
education
Positive social and
emotional development
Parenting skills
Quality after-school
programming
Conflict resolution
Youth leadership
Quality education
Social connections in
neighborhoods
Economic development
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Mentoring
Mental health services
Substance abuse
services
Family support
services
Domestic Abuse
services
Conflict interruption
and street/community
outreach
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Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse
Services
Domestic Abuse
Services
Successful re-entry
Spectrum of Prevention
Influencing Policy & Legislation
Changing Organizational Practices
Fostering Coalitions & Networks
Educating Providers
Promoting Community Education
Strengthening Individual
Knowledge & Skills
Spectrum of Prevention
Influencing Policy and
Legislation
Develop Strategies to
change laws and policies to
influence outcomes
Changing Organizational
Practices
Adopting regulations and
shaping norms to improve
health and safety
Fostering Coalitions and
Networks
Bringing together groups and
individuals for broader goals
and greater impact
Educating Providers
Informing providers who will
transmit skills and knowledge
to others
Promoting Community
Education
Reaching groups of people
with information and
resources to promote health
and safety
Strengthening Individual
Knowledge and Skills
Enhancing an individual’s
capacity to prevent injury and
promote safety
Ramsey County’s
Lessons Learned
One: Don’t start by finding money
Two: Avoid the excuse “We don’t have
the right people around the table”
Three: Don’t seek “The thing” to do;
identify something YOU CAN do, and will
commit to building and institutionalizing
Four: Proceed with authority – YOU CAN
AND MUST DO IT!
ACTIVITY
Spectrum of Prevention
Worksheet
Minnesota’s Wisdom from
Reform Efforts
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Relationships cause change
Leaders impact change
Flexibility is the key
Adaptability
Self-organizing systems
Emergent activities
Relying on professional, familial,
community and cultural wisdom
Alignment with National
Agenda
Conceptual framework
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Families have enhanced capacity to provide
for their children’s needs.
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Children’s educational, physical and mental
health needs are met.
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Children have opportunities for healthy social
and emotional development.
Alignment with Best Practice
Focus on protective factors
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Parental resilience
Social connections
Knowledge of parenting and child development
Concrete support in times of need
Children’s social and emotional competence
Incorporating
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Embracing culture
Families Matter
Families:
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get and manage basic needs and services
create the environment for development
serve as both buffer and bridge between
children and the outside world
sustain and transmit values and traditions that
give identity to children
Building the Protective Factors that
keep families strong
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL POLICY
Strengthening Families began as a search for a
new approach to child abuse prevention that:
Is systematic
Is national
Reaches large
numbers of
children
Has impact long before abuse or neglect occurs
Promotes optimal development for all children
State and National
Strategies
Shifts in:
•Policy
•Resources
•Cross-Systems
Relationships
•Support
Structures
To support
program
implementation
Methods
Facilitate friendships
and mutual support
Strengthen Parenting
Respond to Family
Crises
Link Families to
Services and
Opportunities
Value and Support
Parents
Protective
Factors
parental
resilience
social
connections
knowledge of
parenting and child
development
“Levers for Change”
• Parent Partnerships
• Family-Strengthening
Child Welfare
Practice
• Infrastructure
Changes
• Early Childhood
Systems Integration
• Professional
Development
Facilitate Children’s
Social and Emotional
Development
Observe and
respond to early
warning signs of
abuse or neglect
concrete supports
in times of need
social and emotional
competence of
children
Healthy
families and
communities
and optimal
development
of all
children
Strengthening Families and
Communities
Dimensions
Basic Needs
Internal
Resources
Description
Economic security, housing, healthcare, and
crisis care
Education, expertise, skills, connections to
extended family, neighbors, co-workers and
friends
Positive Family Nurturing parenting styles, effective
Climate
communication, and warm interactions
among family and household members
Self Confidence Sense of control over choices, being valued,
able to make a difference, and faith that all
will be well
Strengthening Families has inspired an
approach to family support services that
is: Universally available, not
targeted by risk
Focused on development
and growth, not only on
identified problems
Delivered through new,
powerful partners not
typically identified as CAN
prevention or family
support agents
organizational partners and funders
Midwest Learning Center
for Family Support
National Registry Alliance
Parents as Teachers
Parent Services Project
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Annie E.
Casey, A. L. Mailman, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
work at the federal level
Office of Child Abuse and
Neglect (Children’s Bureau)
Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA)
Child Care Bureau
Maternal and Child Health
Bureau
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Division of Violence
small but significant changes
in early childhood practice
can produce huge results in
preventing child abuse and
neglect for the youngest
children
Just the facts…
What does research tell us about
what is RIGHT with families?
What kinds of characteristics are
there that promote children’s
healthy development—and are
linked directly to a reduction in
child abuse and neglect reports?
the “new normal”
Child abuse and neglect prevention  building
healthy families
Early childhood programs extend their mission
to support families and protect children as a
way to provide optimal developmental
conditions for children
Child Welfare and other systems that serve
vulnerable families focus on development as a
key part of assuring the well-being of kids
Protective Factors
Parent Resilience
Be strong and Flexible
Social Connections
Parents need Friends
Knowledge of parenting
and child development
Being a parent is part
learned and part natural
Concrete support in
times of need
We all need help
sometimes
Children’s Social and
Emotional Competence
Parents need to help their
children Communicate
Embracing Culture
parental
resilience
Be Strong
and
Flexible
parental resilience – Be Strong and
Flexible
Psychological health; parents feel supported and
able to solve problems; can develop trusting
relationships with others and reach out for help
Parents who did not
have positive
childhood experiences
or who are in troubling
circumstances need
extra support and
trusting relationships
social connections
Parents need Friends
social connections – Parents need Friends
Relationships with extended
family, friends, co-workers,
other parents with children
similar ages
Community norms are
developed through social
connections
Mutual assistance networks:
child care, emotional support,
concrete help
knowledge of parenting and child
development
Being a GREAT parent is part natural
and part learned
knowledge of parenting and child development
Being a GREAT parent is part natural and part
learned
Basic information about
how children develop
Basic techniques of
developmentally
appropriate discipline
Alternatives to parenting behaviors experienced as a child
Help with challenging behaviors
concrete supports in
times of need
We ALL need help
sometimes
concrete supports – We ALL
need help sometimes
Response to a crisis: food,
clothing, shelter
Assistance with daily needs:
health care, job opportunities,
transportation, education
Services for parents in crisis:
mental health, domestic
violence, substance abuse
Specialized services for children
social and emotional competence
Parents need to help their
children communicate
social and emotional competence
Parents need to help their children
Communicate
Normal development (like using language to express
needs and feelings) creates more positive parent-child
interactions
Challenging behaviors,
traumatic experiences or
development that is not on
track require extra adult
attention
A Surprise: What learning in
a classroom does for
families back at home
Embracing Culture
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Culture is a system of shared
actions, values and beliefs
that guide behavior of
families and communities
Recognizing importance and
strength of cultural norms
supports families and
communities and helps them
to flourish
Establishing shared
leadership with diverse
parents and caregivers
improves supports and
services for families and
communities
Importance of Engaging Parents
as Leaders
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An essential partnership within the Minnesota Child
Welfare Practice Model to secure positive outcomes for
children and youth
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Integral to strength-based family-centered approach
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Research demonstrates better results for families when
parents are actively involved in decision making
 2/3 of decisions effecting family well-being are made
outside of parents’ control (Bruner, 2009)
Parent Leadership for Child
Safety and Permanency
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Partnership between DHS Child Safety and Permanency
and Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota
 Recruit parent coordinator
 Recruit parent team
 Provide training and support to parent team members
 Provide training and support to DHS staff grantees
and other CTF stakeholders
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Based on model between California State Social Services,
Office of Child Abuse Prevention and Parents Anonymous
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Vision is shared leadership and decision making with
parent leaders and Child Safety and Permanency Staff
Who is a Parent Leader?
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Has firsthand experience as a
participant in family support and/or
child welfare services and systems
Can relate personal experiences to
broader issues faced by Minnesota
families
Builds mutually respectful
relationships with others from
diverse ethnic, cultural,
socioeconomic and educational
backgrounds
Is able to participate in at least two
face-to-face team meetings annually
and other required team assignments
Is able to participate in
teleconference calls
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Will attend trainings/
conferences to receive necessary
background and knowledge to
successfully interact with state
system
Can serve as mentors,
educators, and/or role models
for other parents
Is able to travel to team
meetings
Demonstrates good verbal skills
Is willing to serve on at least one
state committee, taskforce,
and/or workgroup as requested
by DHS
Is able to serve two years on
team an average of 2-8 hours
per month.
Parent Leadership Team Best
Practice
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Defined roles for parents
Policy manual
Provisions for parent support including special
needs
Readiness assessment and training for state
participants
On-going training and support for parents
Importance of Listening
to Inform Policy and Practice
Include parents
as key partners
in rethinking
and improving
child welfare
strategies
Parent
Coordinator
Community Parents
back to
PCAMN and CTF
through Parent Leaders
Connect parents
to policy and
practice review
Parent Leaders
to Agency Staff
Child Safety
and
Permanency
Policy and
Practice
Parent Leaders
to
Community Parents
Advance
strength-based
family-centered
practice at local
government and
community level
Agency Staff to
Parent Leaders
Meet federal
mandate
Parent Leader Team Members
Key activities include:
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Inform child safety and permanency policy
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Help translate protective factors language to
language parents can/will use
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Help promote protective factors as a child
abuse and neglect strategy
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Move discussion of strength-based parenting
into community
Questions /Comments?
Prevention and Strengthening
Families Resources
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Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota (PCAMN)
Wilder Foundation Research
FRIENDS National Resource Center
Minnesota Father’s and Families Network
Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy,
Prevention and Parenting
PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights)
Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education
National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds
Strengthening Families Illinois
CTF Strengthening Families Brochure
DHS resources
Father’s guide link:
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-5575AENG
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Child Maltreatment Screening Guidelines
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-5144-ENG
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Co-Occurrence Guidelines
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-3490-Eng
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Ramsey County
Resource
Public Health
Domestic Violence (Family Transformation
Model & Strong and Peaceful Families)
http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph/cp/index.htm
For More information contact:
JOANNE MOONEY
651.431.3879
[email protected]