Strengthening Families Georgia

What is Strengthening Families Georgia?

Strengthening Families Georgia (SFG) is a multi-disciplinary partnership of nearly 50 national, state and local, public and private organizations dedicated to embedding five research-based Protective Factors into services and supports for children and their families. SFG is funded by the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services (DHS-DFCS) through the Federal Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. GAEYC is an SFG Partner and administered SFG and chaired the Leadership Team and Partnership from 2010-19. To learn more, check out the Strengthening Families Georgia website.

Protective Factors

Five Protective Factors are the foundation of the Strengthening Families approach. Research studies support that when these Protective Factors are well-established in a family, the likelihood of child abuse and neglect diminishes. Research also shows that these five Protective Factors build family strengths and a family environment that promotes optimal child and youth development.

  1. Parental resilience: Parents can bounce back

  2. Social connections: Parents have friends

  3. Knowledge of child development: Parents know how children grow and learn

  4. Concrete support in times of need: Parents know where to turn for help

  5. Social and emotional competence of children: Children learn to talk about and handle feelings

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Strengthening Families Georgia Vision

All families with children birth through age five in Georgia have the resources and support necessary for a meaningful and successful life.

Strengthening Families Georgia Mission

To utilize the Strengthening Families assets-based framework of Protective Factors in all systems, programs, services and activities supporting families with young children as the approach to achieving the vision.