Metropolitan Family Services Recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Metropolitan Family Services supports parents in acquiring skills that promote the healthy growth and development of children as well as learning important life skills to benefit themselves and their family.
Research shows that child abuse and neglect can be reduced by promoting six protective factors that give families the safety, security and support they need to raise their children in a healthy environment:
- Promote nurturing bonds between children, parents and caregivers
- Ensure effective, appropriate and researched-based child discipline
- Strengthen parental resilience to stress
- Develop emotional and social skills in children
- Support parenting through social connections to friends and family
- Connect families to community resources
Through vital programs, such as Healthy Families, Mentors of Mothers, Parents as Teachers, Metropolitan Family Services provides parents with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children.
Throughout the month of April, Metropolitan’s social media pages will highlight tips, resources and other information for parents, friends and communities to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter or our blog to learn more.
Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor part motivator, part advocate, since 1857 Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. For more information about Metropolitan’s programs and services, click here.