Strengthening Families Illinois Learning Networks are committed to embedding and deepening the Strengthening Families approach throughout their program, collaborating with local child welfare staff in their community, and increasing parent engagement.
SFI Learning Network Members participate in training and professional development opportunities that help reinforce the SFI approach, participate in monthly peer to peer network meetings, and each program completes the strengthening families self assessment (now available online at http://www.strengtheningfamilies.net) and completes an action plan to help strengthen their practice and strategies focused on building strong relationships with parents. They have also been participating in the Love Is Not Enough to Keep Your Family Strong campaign and helping to sponsor Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafes.
Interested in developing an SFI Learning Network? Click here to download a document that outlines the SFI Learning Network Model. Or if you would like to affiliate as an SFI program, click here to register and get started!
Some of the benefits of being an SFI Learning Network member include the opportunity to:
- Be part of a local learning network and strengthen relationships with colleagues
- Access/receive staff training on implementing the Strengthening Families approach
- Strengthen your program’s ability to address children’s social and emotional development and challenging behaviors
- Enhance your program’s ability to work with families
- Strengthen relationships with Illinois DCFS – local caseworkers and licensing reps
- Implement an evidenced based model for the prevention of child abuse and neglect with proven outcomes
- Receive recognition, affirmation, and develop a way of presenting the exemplary family strengthening practices, many centers are already engaged in
- Strengthen understanding of and ability to recognize the effect of trauma on children
- Assess and improve program quality in areas important for NAEYC accreditation
- Enhance the quality of practice in your program through training
- Access future funding opportunities
There are currently eight regional learning networks implementing Strengthening Families Illinois: