Introduction
Welcome to the Strengthening Families Illinois Online Resource Library. Over the course of the initiative, there has been a wealth of information developed by the National Strengthening Families Initiative, Strengthening Families Illinois, and other state partners implementing Strengthening Families. The online library includes materials relating to Strengthening Families in general and is also divided into categories based on core audiences. Scroll down or click on the appropriate category above to find the resource you are looking for. Click on the resource name to download in your browser or right-click and “save as” on your local drive to save and/or open in the resources’ application.
If you are having trouble finding something, .
Strengthening Families Illinois
SFI FAQ
One pager FAQ provides general information Strengthening Families Illinois
6 Ways to Keep Families Strong
Brochure PDF describes the 6 Protective Factors and a brief overview of the development of Strengthening Families Initiative. Click here for Spanish. for bulk orders of this brochure.
Strengthening Families Logic Model and Program Strategies Overview
PDF handout developed by the Center for The Study of Social Policy provides detailed information on the development of the Strengthening Families Initiative, the Strengthening Families logic model, and the program strategies that Early Childhood Programs use to build protective factors.
Literature Review on 5 Protective Factors
Click on the link above to access the literature review on the five protective factors from the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s website.
Strengthening Families 6th Protective Factors Overview Handout
Illinois added a 6th Protective Factor on healthy parent-child relationships. Download the overview for a brief summary of its application in early childhood programs.
Strengthening Families 6th Protective Factors Literature Review
Literature review on the 6th Protective Factor, highlighting research in support of its inclusion into the Strengthening Families Illinois Logic Model. Literature was developed by Marcia Zumbahlen, Ph.D. and reviewed by SFI’s Building Resiliency Workgroup.
AVAILABLE ONLINE SOON. .
Protecting Children by Strengthening Families: A Guidebook for Early Childhood Programs
PDF version of the guidebook developed by the Center for The Study of Social Policy which includes detailed information on how the Strengthening Families approach was developed and includes a self-assessment to help programs assess their strengths and challenges in providing the program strategies that contribute to building the six protective factors that keep families strong. Click here to access the assessment online. You can purchase a physical copy of this guidebook by contacting the Center for the Study of Social Policy.
SFI Training Curricula Overview
One-page overview of SFI Curricula developed by the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support at Family Focus, Inc. Click here for additional information on SFI Training.
Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafe One Pager
Brief one-page overview of the Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafe Process. Click here, to learn more about the Love Is Not Enough To Keep Your Family Strong (LINE) campaign and how to order LINE materials and products.
Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafe FAQ
PDF Handout provides detail about the Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafe process, what’s involved, and how to take steps towards replicating cafes with parents in your own community. Click here, to learn more about the Love Is Not Enough To Keep Your Family Strong (LINE) campaign and how to order LINE materials and products.
Early Childhood Providers
NAEYC Families and Community Standard / Strengthening Families Program Strategies Crosswalk
Crosswalk document compares National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Criteria with the Strengthening Families program strategies that build protective factors and shows that they are in alignment with the NAEYC criteria.
101 Ways to Nurture Your Spirit Poster
Colorful handout provides inspirational reminder to providers about the importance of taking care of oneself. Click here for Spanish.
Interested in having the full sized poster sent to you in English or Spanish? to place an order.
Commitment to Families Poster
Handout highlights the Strenghthening Families Illinois center’s commitment to working with families. Click here for Spanish.
Interested in having the full sized poster sent to you in English or Spanish? to place an order.
Commitment to Families Flyer
Want to advertise your next center event while highlighting your commitment to families.? This adaptable flyer is great for promoting upcoming events and letting families know that you’re a family-centered program.
365 Ways to Partner with Families
Page a day calendar for every year provides a daily tip for early childhood staff for partnering with families at their program.
The calendar is available for purchase. Click here to download the order form or .
Child Welfare Professionals
Illinois DCFS School Readiness Initiative
PDF Handout provides detailed information on the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services School Readiness Initiative focused centered around enrolling all wards 3 to 5 into a high quality preschool program.
Our Kids Deserve a Fair Start
PDF Brochure provides information to help caseworkers and foster families understand the importance of enrolling young children in a high quality early care and education program and provides some guidance on finding a quality early care and education program. Click here for Spanish. for bulk orders of this brochure.
10 Reasons to Partner with Preschool Staff
One-page handout highlights 10 ways that early childhood staff can be a supportive partner with child welfare professionals. for bulk orders of this handout.
Parents
Love Is Not Enough to Keep Your Family Strong Campaign
Go to the campaign website to read more about what it takes to keep families strong, find out more about Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafes in your area, or to share your experience at a Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafe.
Love Is Not Enough to Keep Your Family Strong Mini-Brochure
PDF of two page mini-brochure includes information on keeping your family strong. Spanish translation is included. for bulk orders of this brochure.
Love Is Not Enough to Keep Your Family Strong Regular Brochure
PDF of 8-fold brochure with more extensive information on keeping your family strong. Spanish translation is included. for bulk orders of this brochure.
Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafe Flyer
Planning a Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafe. Download this flyer to get the word out. Click here for Spanish.
Strengthening Families Illinois Learning Network Programs
Click here to find out where early childhood programs are actively participating in Strengthening Families Illinois.
Additional Resources
Monographs on Program Elements
The documents below provide detailed descriptions on the program components quality childcare centers have that build the 6 protective factors. Each monograph describe the component’s contribution to building protective factors and includes examples from exemplary programs that integrate them.
Family Support Services
Promoting Children’s Healthy Social and Emotional Development
Staff Leadership to Create Relationships that Protect Children
Mental Health Consultation
Including Men
Use of Physical Space
Relationships with Child Welfare Agencies COMING SOON
Exemplary Program Profiles
Click on the link above for information on the 25 programs that took part in the initial Strengthening Families national research study.
Links
Click on the links below related to early care and education and other areas related to strengthening families.
www.strengtheningfamilies.net
New Strengthening Families National Initiative website has the latest on what’s happening with Strengthening Families across the country.
http://www.earlychildhoodeducation.co.uk/
Website provides comprehensive information on early childhood education.
http://www.minneapolisfed.org/research/studies/earlychild/
Articles and data on the economic impact of Early Childhood Education posted through the Minneapolis Federal Reserve
http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/cls/cbaexecsum4.html
University of Wisconsin longitudinal study of the impact of early care and education shows 51% decline in child maltreatment.
http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/cls/cbaexecsum4.html
University of Wisconsin longitudinal study of the impact of early care and education shows 51% decline in child maltreatment.