Family Engagement, Family Preservation and Support

Family engagement is a prerequisite for helping the family achieve its goals. Key elements include:

- Listening to each family member
- Demonstrating respect and empathy for family members
- Developing an understanding of the family's past experiences, current situation, concerns and strengths
- Responding to concrete needs quickly
- Establishing the purpose of involvement with the family
- Being aware of one's own biases and prejudices
- Validating the participatory role of the family
- Being consistent, reliable and honest
- Engaging and involving fathers and paternal family members
- Engaging kinship families

Family Egagement, Family Preservation Resources:

Evidence-based Neglect Prevention Model Shows Effectiveness with American Indians
This two-page brief, SafeCare with American Indians, is based on a study published in Child Maltreatment late last year. This study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma, demonstrate the effectiveness of SafeCare with American Indians, which counters some concerns about the cultural relevance of evidence-based interventions with manualized treatment approaches for this population.
Protecting Children - A Professional Publication of American Humane Volume 24, Number 3, 2009
Replication the Family Connections Program: Lessons Learned
Family Engagement in Child Welfare Video Series Discussion Guide
This guide was developed to share experiences, lessons learned, and guidance with others in the field working to engage and empower families.
Reference Guide for Native American Family Preservation Programs
This guide was designed to assist Family Preservation program providers. It offers resources, strategies, and lessons learned on the predominant topics on which Family Preservation programs focus: 1) implementing family strengthening/relationship education programs; 2) delivering relationships education programming to married and unmarried adults as well as youth; 3) proving financial education to couples; 4) addressing challenges to family stability such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and gambling; and 5) offering parenting education, including guidance for fathers and grandparents.
The Harvard Project - The Context and Meaning of Family Strengthening in Indian America
A Report to the Annie E. Casey Foundation by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development - August 2004

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