Free To Grow Free To Grow Healthy Child Development through Strengthening Families and their Communities

Principles Changing known risk and protective factors will lead to decreases in risks for later substance use and abuse and other high-risk behaviors.Changing known risk and protective factors will lead to decreases in risks for later substance use and abuse and other high-risk behaviors. The primary strategy for prevention in the preschool years is to strengthen the young child’s immediate environment. Therefore, the main targets for intervention are the family and neighborhood, not the child.The primary strategy for prevention in the preschool years is to strengthen the young child’s immediate environment. Therefore, the main targets for intervention are the family and neighborhood, not the child.

Principles Families will be better able to nurture and protect their children if they have a wide range of supports.Families will be better able to nurture and protect their children if they have a wide range of supports. Strengthened and supported families will be more likely to resist the abuse of alcohol and use of other drugs.Strengthened and supported families will be more likely to resist the abuse of alcohol and use of other drugs.

Principles A more stable and protective living environment in safer, less chaotic neighborhoods will help reduce the impact of substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors on young children.A more stable and protective living environment in safer, less chaotic neighborhoods will help reduce the impact of substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors on young children.

Free to Grow: Healthy Child Development through Strengthening Families and their Communities Risk Factors Community Crime and Violence Blight Alcohol and Drug Availability Neighborhood Social Isolation Family Substance Abuse Child Abuse Domestic Violence Lack of Parenting Skills Protective Factors Community Safe Streets Adequate and Affordable Housing Low Levels of Alcohol and Drug Availability Organized Neighborhoods Family Family Stability and Cohesiveness Adequate Family Income Parents Who Promote Learning Close, Stable Relationship with Parents and Other Adults

Domains of Intervention Modification of the Physical Environment Development of Social Capital Development of Human Capital Blight Housing Crime and Safety Social Isolation Parent Support Crime and Safety Availability of Social Services Substance Abuse Treatment Domestic Violence Service Child Abuse and Neglect Services

Examples of Partner Organizations, Groups and Individuals Addressing these Issues Modification of the Physical Environment Development of Social Capital Development of Human Capital Blight Housing Crime and Safety Social Isolation Parent Support Crime and Safety Availability of Social Services Substance Abuse Treatment Domestic Violence Service Child Abuse and Neglect Services Police Code Enforcement Residents Neighborhood Groups Family Resource Centers Police Schools Head Start Dept. Social Services Treatment Providers Schools

Examples of Free to Grow Strategies Modification of Physical Environment Modification of the Physical Environment Blight Housing Crime and Safety Police Code Enforcement Residents Neighborhood Revitalization Community Assessment (including property assessment) Community Awareness Community Action (support for increased code enforcement and policing)

Examples of Free to Grow Strategies Development of Social Capital Social Isolation Parent Support Crime and Safety Neighborhood Groups Family Resource Centers Police Development of Social Capital Leadership Development Local Action Groups (block watch, neighborhood assns, etc) Family Support and Parent Education

Examples Free to Grow Strategies Development of Human Capital Availability of Social Services Substance Abuse Treatment Domestic Violence Service Child Abuse and Neglect Social Services Head Start Dept. Social Services Treatment Providers Development of Human Capital Family Assessment Case Management SA & MH Treatment

Moving to an Integrated Family Community Strategy – Concurrent Action in all Three Domains Modification of the Physical Environment Development of Social Capital Community Partners Implementing Free to Grow Strategies Development of Human Capital

The Faces of Free to Grow

Improving the Physical Environment Residents helping residents in a neighborhood clean up Code Enforcement and Sheriff partnering to improve housing conditions

Building Social Capital Developing a block watch Family support groups

Building Human Capital Family Assessment Improved family interaction