Five Protective Factors in South Carolina
Investing in Proven Protective Factors
When we invest in proven protective factors, we ensure the safety of children and their families.
We assist our partners in building protections for families and serve as buffers, supporting parents who might otherwise be at risk of abusing their children.
Parental Resilience
Be strong and flexible
Managing stress and functioning well when faced with challenges, adversity and trauma.
Families who can cope with the stresses of life, such as unemployment, poverty and homelessness, have resilience. Resilience often comes from inner strengths such as faith, humor, supportive relationships, problem solving and flexibility. Resilience is what allows parents to continue giving their children the nurturing care they need even when times are tough.
Social Connections
Have friends
Having positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental and spiritual support.
Families need people they can call on when they need a sympathetic listener, advice or support. Conversely, research has shown families who are isolated are at higher risk for child abuse and neglect.
Concrete Support in Times of Need
Know how to find help
Access to concrete support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges.
When families do not have steady income, lack health insurance, or suffer a family crisis such as a natural disaster or the incarceration of a parent, their ability to provide food, shelter and clothing for their children may be at risk. Connecting families to help can prevent the unintended neglect that sometimes occurs.
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
know how children grow
Understanding child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.
When families are aware of normal development and milestones, they know how to respond to and effectively manage a child’s behavior to prevent frustration. This prevents harsh discipline or emotional withdrawal. Parents with this knowledge are also more likely to notice when their child’s development is not typical.
Social and Emotional Competence of Children
Help children handle their feelings
Having family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions and establish and maintain relationships.
Social and emotional competence refers to nurturing and supporting interactions that help children handle their feelings and develop secure attachments to their caregivers. Teaching children how to communicate emotions effectively in turn nurtures their social and emotional development.
