Strengthen Communities

The web of community supports should be different in every community served because each community has its own set of inherent resources and demographic conditions. Variability is the cornerstone of a successful community-support strategy. Local and informal supports, such as family, neighbors, teachers, nurses, civic clubs, places of worship and police units each contain a different body of knowledge that can create an outreach of supports for all families, particularly those in need. This assembly of supports is crucial in lower-income neighborhoods where families have less access to formal resources.

What Can Policymakers Do?

• Improve Families’ Access To Existing Services .

• Fund Research-Based Prevention Programs.

• Require Community Partnerships.

• Support Community Diversity.

• Fund Public Awareness Campaigns.