NASW Social Work Talks EP84: Supporting Families to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
Apr 15, 2022
Suzin Bartley, the Executive Director at The Children's Trust, discusses innovative strategies to prevent child abuse in Massachusetts. She emphasizes proactive family support and early intervention for parents to foster safe environments for children. The conversation covers the importance of community resources, technology's role in supporting parents, and the Nurturing Fathers Program for incarcerated dads. Bartley also advocates for child welfare reform, highlighting the need for better resources and training for social workers.
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Prioritize Zero-To-Three Prevention
- Early, upstream work prevents later abuse by strengthening infant brain development and parenting skills.
- Targeting zero-to-three years builds a foundation that reduces later pathology and system involvement.
Use Home Visiting And Local Family Centers
- Offer family centers and home visiting to meet parents where they are and build skills.
- Use concrete, chunked goals and coach parents with belief and encouragement to increase success.
First-Time Parent Reassured By A Cousin
- Suzin recounts her nervous first-time mom moment when a pediatrician cousin reassured her about a strange belly button.
- That quick expert contact modeled the calming, practical help home visiting provides to new parents.
