Parents resource page launched by DCFS, Utah 211
Mar 30, 2022, 2:18 PM
A new webpage aims to give parents resources to manage their responsibility. Photo: Adobe Stock
SALT LAKE CITY — The Division of Child and Family Services collaborated with Utah 211, United Way, and Help Me Grow Utah to create a new resource webpage for parents.
The page offers a guide to parents who feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising a child, according to the DCFS.
Why the parent resource page was created
“This web page provides a variety of referrals to address everything from basic needs to specialized information to support families,” said Utah 211 Managing Director Sandra Carpio. “We are excited to provide this as a resource for parents and caregivers in our community.”
The resource page was created to go along with the “Family Strengthening” toolkit created by the state.
The DCFS said it structured the resource page after the Protective Factors Framework. It explained that the framework identifies parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support, and the social and emotional competence of children as strengths to help families through difficult situations.
“When we truly care about the safety and well-being of children, then we must equally care about the safety and well-being of the adults in those children’s lives;” said Diane Moore, DCFS director.
What family resources look like
April is a time to focus on family strengthening according to Moore. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Moore added that the DCFS wants to do more than just prevent child abuse and neglect. It also wants to encourage healthy and stable lives, which Moore said also helps achieves child safety.
Resources available to families include:
- Family support centers
- Support groups
- Mental health or substance use disorder treatment
- Parent education classes
- Assistance related to housing, finances, and employment
“We want to back away from that line of crisis by leaning in as communities and neighbors in order to ensure that every family has the resources and support they need to be truly successful,” said Moore, “This is the Utah way. Every child and individual matters.”
Parents can find the family strengthening resource webpage here.
The Utah 211 hotline and website offer a place for families to find resources for challenges they are facing.
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