In 2017, the Butler Institute for Families partnered with R.O.C.K. Mat-Su and the local Office of Children’s Services (OCS), in the south-central region, to evaluate the systemic challenges involved in providing family contact services. By evaluating the systemic challenges involved in family contact resources, the partnership between R.O.C.K. Mat-Su and OCS aimed to improve the availability, frequency, and quality of family contact for families in the borough served by the south-central office.
The Family Contact Improvement Partnership (FCIP) involving the many partners of R.O.C.K. Mat-Su including the Office of Children Services came together to develop a Theory of Change to guide us our work. The FCIP believes that culturally centered, meaningful, and healthy contact is best for a child to strengthen family relationships and help children thrive.
Below you will find a variety of resources developed by the FCIP and other fantastic organizations.
Videos
Alaska Child Welfare Conference 2021: “Safe, Thriving and Connected”
Family Contact Improvement Partnership
The following video’s were created by the Family Contact Improvement Partnership and the Butler Institute for Families out of the University of Denver
Fall Frenzy for Family Contact Series for Court Partners
The following video’s are recordings of the Fall Frenzy for Family Contact Lunch Series that took place in October 2020.
Podcast Recommendation: Colorado Child Abuse & Neglect Attorney’s podcast episode: “Using a Trauma-informed Approach”
When families go to court, it can be a harsh and negative experience than can trigger past traumas and create new ones. The courts and people associated with them can change this experience by using a trauma-informed lens in their practice. Hear how a judge, county attorney, social worker, and parent partner advocate for a trauma-informed approach, and how the court can use this approach to make court experiences less traumatic and more positive, leading to better outcomes for children and families. Click here to access it.
Supporting child wellbeing through family contact
Implementing Family Contact in the Mat-Su
Being a champion for best practices in family contact
Family Contact Best Practices Guides
Family Contact Best Practices Guide for Professionals
Family Contact Best Practices Guide for Foster Parents & Family Time Supporters
Documentation for Professionals
Observation Form Webinar for Mat-Su Professionals
Support Documents for Mat-Su Professionals
The following forms are used by professional facilitators of family time to document the event.
Form Guide
Feedback Form
No Family Contact Form
Parent Handout
Planning Tool for Parents
Protective Factors & Local Resources
Resources for Professionals
Strengthening Families: 5 Protective Factors
Strengthening Families™ is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.
– The Center for the Study of Social Policy –
Free Online Training
Bringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life In Your Work
Children’s Trust Fund Alliance is pleased to make available an online training to support implementation of the Strengthening Families™ Protective Factors Framework in multiple settings. This curriculum includes new materials on partnering with parents and addresses promising strategies to strengthen families. The online training is for anyone who works with children and families, including parents, practitioners and supervisors.
Scroll down to center of webpage to learn about the Free Online Training.
5 Protective Factors Brief + Parent Action Sheets
5 Protective Factors Brief + Youth Action Sheets
Social Connections
Parental Resilience
Concrete Supports in Times of Need
Social & Emotional Competence of Children
Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
The Center strives to present information, especially scientific information, in a way that is accessible to a wide range of readers.
Building the Skills Adults Need for Life
Building the Skills Youth Need for Life
Enhancing & Practicing Executive Function Skills from Infancy to Adolescence
What is Resilience?
How Resilience is Built.
Core Capabilities for Life
Serve & Return
Keep Connected
Healthy, strong family relationships are foundational to young people’s growth, learning, and well-being. These relationships build strong social and emotional strengths that kids use throughout their lives.
But great family relationships don’t just happen.
Keep Connected offers all kinds of families—and organizations that support them—ideas, activities, and experiences to help build strong family relationships. Our goal is to strengthen family relationships to help kids be and become their best selves.
Practicing Developmental Relationships
Bringing Developmental Relationships Home
Tips & Relationship Builders for Families
Evaluation
Instructions for Implementation of Parent Survey
The following video was created for Mat-Su organizations that are part of the pilot project implementing the best practices. This video is to support staff in administering the Parent Survey.
Video Objectives:
– Survey Purpose
– Areas of Focus
– Survey Distribution
– Survey Preview
– Common Challenges
– Sharing Results
– Incentives for Facilitators and Parents
Survey Flyer for Parents
Survey Project Info Sheet
Webinar Slides
