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50+ Ways to Help Families

One of the most effective ways to prevent child abuse is to strengthen families. Click the categories for 50+ ways neighbors, community organizations, employers, people in the service industry, faith communities, and you can help strengthen families.

Family of 5 laying on grass.

  1. Offer to baby-sit so parents can get a little break
  2. Be a listening ear for a neighbor who is struggling
  3. Coordinate a meal sign-up calendar for new parents or a neighborhood family in need
  4. Organize a block party so families can meet each other
  5. Start or participate in a carpool to help families
  6. Increase social connections by introducing yourself to a new neighbor or saying hello to your neighbors by name
  7. Get to know the children in your neighborhood and ask them how they are doing
  8. Ask a family if they need something picked up the next time you run to the store
  9. Run an errand, shovel snow, or do yardwork for a parent in your neighborhood
  10. Invite a neighborhood family to your home for dinner
  11. Donate children’s used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family

  1. Post the Colorado early learning and development guideline videos to your social media channels earlylearningco.org
  2. Raise awareness of child safety issues and helpful childproofing information
  3. Organize a moms’ or dads’ night out
  4. Put children’s books in your lobby and waiting areas
  5. Schedule family events at different times of the day and on different days of the week so that more families can participate
  6. Add information about family-friendly resources on neighborhood websites like Nextdoor
  7. Remind people it’s okay to ask for help
  8. Host a play group at a local recreation or community center
  9. Collaborate with childcare centers and schools by joining PTOs, volunteering in classrooms, participating in fundraising and more
  10. Recognize a child or family in distress and offer assistance
  11. Provide parenting education classes for parents and for students before they become parents
  12. Connect parents to one another and to important resources for support

  1. Check in with mothers and fathers to see how they are doing
  2. Promote a culture where it is okay for employees to reach out and ask for help
  3. Participate in an employee assistance program (EAP) or maintain a list of available resources to support families
  4. Learn where your public officials stand on kids’ issues and use your vote to support families
  5. Allow for flexibility in scheduling where possible
  6. Work with employees to manage workload in times of added stress
  7. Create a community brag board so employees can show off kids, pets, homes and hobbies
  8. Support maternity/paternity leave for new parents (including adoptive and foster parents)
  9. Offer “lunch and learns” for employees wanting to learn more about child development
  10. Involve your business in community events
  11. Sponsor a day of service for all employees to volunteer with programs working to strengthen families

  1. Make family-friendly spaces or activities available at your establishment
  2. Smile and lend a hand to customers who are having a tough time with their children
  3. Offer to load groceries or other packages into the car for a parent with kids
  4. Hang fliers about community events or helpful resources for parents and families
  5. Notice positive parenting moments and compliment the parents
  6. Say hello to children and offer them a high five
  7. Be kind to parents with kids in your establishment, especially when one of their children is melting down
  8. Organize a fundraiser to support a local nonprofit serving families
  9. Help a parent who is juggling kids and suitcases on an airplane
  10. Include information about local family support programs on menus

  1. Remind parents that it’s okay not to know how to do everything
  2. Learn the signs for post-partum depression and how to help
  3. Share articles, tips and/or resources in your newsletter about coping with parenting challenges
  4. Encourage and support parents in getting involved and increasing their connections
  5. Make it a tradition to bring new parents meals to help make the transition to parenthood easier
  6. Offer financial support or goods to families who are struggling
  7. Host family-friendly events
  8. Train staff and volunteers to create safe environments for children
  9. Offer space for parenting classes or support groups in your community
  10. Get involved in developing the missing services needed by children and families in your community
  11. Support youth who are leaving the foster care system
  12. Become a mentor for a young mother or father
  13. Conduct a parenting book drive for the local library
Children in class

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