
The overarching goal of the Family Thrive framework is to achieve positive outcomes by mitigating risk and enhancing the healthy development and well-being of children and youth. The guiding premises provide the foundation for Kentucky Strengthening Families (KYSF) and Kentucky Youth Thrive (KYYT). This approach can be used in any setting serving families, youth and children typically without making huge changes in daily practice.
Kentucky Family Thrive represents a multi-disciplinary partnership of over 20 national, state and local, and public and private organizations dedicated to embedding six research-based Protective Factors into services and supports for children and their families. Supporting families is a key strategy for promoting school readiness and preventing child abuse and neglect. All families experience times of stress, and research demonstrates that children grow and learn best in families who have the supports and skills to deal with those times. By supporting families and building their skills to cope with stressors, we can increase school readiness and reduce the likelihood of abuse will occur in families. Kentucky Strengthening Families is using a nationally recognized strategy—Strengthening Families: A Protective Factors Framework – which is coordinated by the Center for the Study of Social Policy.
If you are interested in attending a training or a training of trainers then please contact Kristen Martin or Emily Keely at kristen.martin@ky.gov and Emily.keely@ky.gov