A Strength-Based Approach in Support of Multi-Risk Families

Abstract

Recent changes in social policy are having a significant impact on the delivery of human services. At the same time, multiple factors are placing children and their families at increased risk for negative outcomes. In the midst of this turmoil, early childhood special educators must remain committed to a family-focused philosophy that has the potential to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities and their families. This article discusses six principles associated with strength-based approaches to family support: a philosophy based on family strength; a partnership approach to service provision; a family-centered, familydriven agenda; an individualized response to family needs and capacities; a broad-based, comprehensive view of family development; and an assessment of outcomes based on family functioning and the quality of life of family members. Challenges in implementing strength-based, family support approaches for families with multiple risks are discussed and implications for policy and research are presented.Recent changes in social policy are having a significant impact on the delivery of human services. Among these changes are the restructuring of the health and behavioral health-care systems as a result of managed care and Medicaid waiver programs, the decreased role of the federal government in the funding of social service systems, the implementation of welfare reform packages, the call for "leveraging" of funds among service agencies, and the increased emphasis on outcome measures and performance-based budgeting methods. Each of these policies has been developed in an effort to

Escuela, Familia y Comunidad: Construyendo Alianzas para Promover la Inclusión

“…En primer lugar, la familia es vista como el entorno básico para lograr mejores resultados en los niños y niñas. En consecuencia, ayudando a las familias a incrementar sus recursos y capacidades (empoderándolas), se puede proporcionar un ambiente familiar que satisfaga las necesidades de los niños y apoyar su desarrollo, por lo que un principio del enfoque centrado en la familia es la importancia de forjar alianzas significativas con las familias (Bruder, 2000;Powell, Batsche, Ferro, Fox y Dunlap, 1997). En todo caso, promoviendo capacidades se mejora el bienestar y la calidad de vida de las mismas.…”

Early Intervention, Positive Behavior Support, and Transition to School

“…In a strength-based approach, all families are seen as having resources and competencies they can build on and use to meet their needs and promote the wellbeing of the various family members (Powell, Batsche, Ferro, Fox, & Dunlap, 1997). Many families of young children with challenging behavior face multiple and complex family system issues, including poverty, emotional stress, and health concerns (Campbell, 1995).…”

“…Many families of young children with challenging behavior face multiple and complex family system issues, including poverty, emotional stress, and health concerns (Campbell, 1995). In a strength-based approach, families are provided with both broad-based and individualized supports that are driven by family-identified needs (Dunst et al, 1988;Powell et al, 1997). Collaborative teaming, multi-agency efforts, and family support services may be needed to adequately support family members in caring for their child and implementing behavior support efforts in the home.…”

Empowering Your Sober Self: The LifeRing Approach to Addiction Recovery

“…It strongly resonates with much of the teaching of Albert Bandura about self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997). It shares many themes with modern strength-based movements in psychology, education, and social work (Maton, Schellenbach, Leadbeater, and Solarz, 2004;Powell, Batsche, Ferro, Fox, and Dunlap, 1997). It is independent of but highly congruent with the motivational interviewing movement in addiction recovery (Miller, 1995) and has much in common with other modern recovery approaches, including William Glasser's choice theory, Ronald Warner's solution-focused therapy, and Marsha Linehan's dialectical behavior theory.…”