What We Do

Family strengthening from a community of practice perspective is advanced by embracement and the appreciation that families are often presented with numerous and complex sets of issues that are more than just about assisting or meeting the needs of any one family member. There must be an acknowledgment of the ecology in which that family member resides and an appreciation that anything that is done to assist the specific family member(s) must be considered in the context of the overall family dynamic and family need. Moreover, social service practice and delivery of services at the community level must appreciate the importance of servicing both mothers and fathers in the context of creating better outcomes for children and enhancing family strengthening. This family strengthening consideration is relevant whether the father is resident or nonresident in the household and there must be efforts to embrace and include fathers within the context of social service delivery, given that historically fathers have been excluded in large measure from social service delivery supports, which are mother and child centric.