Posted: 2/6/2014
Faith-Based Initiative
Faith-Based Communities play a vital role in the safety and well-being of children and families. They offer continued support and guidance for families within their immediate network as well as the community at large through programming and mission work. Each and every day Faith Communities are helping to prevent child abuse and neglect.
National child abuse prevention efforts focus on strengthening protective factors in families. Protective factors are conditions in families and communities that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families. These attributes serve as buffers, helping parents to find resources, supports, or coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress.
Heartland for Children is thankful for the wonderful work our local faith communities are doing each and every day. As part of our Faith-Based Prevention Initiative, Heartland for Children invites local faith leaders and other representatives of faith communities to work together with us to identify additional opportunities to positively impact families in the communities we serve.
- Nurturing and Attachment
- Knowledge of Parenting and of Child and Youth Development
- Parental Resilience
- Social Connections
- Concrete Supports for Parents
- Social and Emotional Competence of Children
Faith communities enhance protective factors in families through various means, including:
- Children and Youth Programs
- Daycare or After School Care
- Christian Education
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Life Groups
- Family Programs
- Community and Volunteer Programs (i.e. food programs, clothes closet, financial assistance/training
Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway
For more information on Heartland for Children's Faith-Based Initiative, email Briana Edwards or call (863) 519-8900 ext. 216.