Strengthening Families Evaluation Portal (SFEP)

This brief explores Mosaic’s re-designed evaluation portal, which launched in conjunction with CSSP’s four new program self-assessments. The system addresses the needs of programs, state or national leaders, and evaluators. (3 pp)

Self-Assessments for Programs 

The program self-assessment is a key implementation tool for Strengthening Families. It helps programs compare their practices with what was learned from the original national study of exemplary practice. It uses concrete, observable items to show how the Strengthening Families protective factors can be supported through “small but significant changes” in program practice. Over time

Ensuring Accountability

Programs and systems taking a protective factors approach need to ensure that their efforts are effective, making a difference for families, and making good use of the funds invested in them. CSSP and other partners have developed tools for measuring the protective factors through parent self-report. Parents’ Assessment of Protective Factors (PAPF) The Parents’ Assessment

Implementation in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Systems

Strengthening Families is being broadly used in states to reframe prevention efforts and engage partners who previously did not see themselves as having a role to play in child abuse and neglect prevention. Implementation Strategies in States (2020) Strengthening Families Self-Assessment for Community-Based Programs Strengthening Families and Other Prevention Initiatives: Strengthening Families and Essentials for

Implementation in Early Care and Education Systems

Across the country, Strengthening Families is being used to reshape how early care and education programs engage parents. Click below for tools for programs and for systems at the state and local level to encourage, support, and incentivize those changes. Implementation Strategies in States (2020) Strengthening Families Self-Assessment for Center-Based Early Care and Education Programs

Implementation in Home Visiting Systems

Strengthening Families is used as a framework for coordinating and aligning across different home visiting program models—and as a shared outcomes framework with the many other services and supports families need. Implementation Strategies in States (2020) Strengthening Families Self-Assessment for Home Visiting Programs Self-Care for Home Visitors Issue brief: Connecting Strengthening Families and Home Visiting

Strengthening Families

Strengthening Families is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is based on engaging families, programs, and communities in building five key protective factors.

Passing the Baton

CSSP is proud to present a series of essays proposing actionable new insights and ideas about how to dramatically improve the well-being of children, young people, families, and communities, with racial justice as both an underlying value and a “North Star” goal. In keeping with CSSP’s bias for action, these essays revolve around two key

Expectant & Parenting Youth in Foster Care

The Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) in Foster Care Initiative supports child welfare systems in building multi-generational strategies that meet the developmental needs of young parents and their children

Best Start LA

This project is no longer active, but we believe that the outcomes and resources generated through the work are still of value. What We Worked For Building the capacities of 14 Results-Focused Community Partnerships in Los Angeles County to shape stronger communities, thriving families, and improved results for young children.  During the course of our

Youth Thrive

Youth Thrive is changing the way the nation’s child welfare, foster care, and juvenile justice systems help youth overcome challenging circumstances, successfully transition out of these systems, and go on to live productive lives.

Equity & Justice

At CSSP, we recognize the long and devastating history of racism and discrimination in our country. Despite advances in civil rights, public policies and institutions often reflect or repeat this history, contributing in large and small ways to perpetuating a system of unfair advantages for some and disadvantages for others. For the past 15 years,