In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, JFS offers tips to improve your family’s protective factors and wellbeing

Buffalo, NY – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month which recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. The family support team at Jewish Family Services of WNY (JFS) works year-round to educate families in the community about the preventative nature of child abuse, including helping them to feel safe and supported by teaching them to build protective factors.

“When we can prevent trauma from happening in the first place, there’s less need for repair later in life,” said Jill Gavin, associate director, JFS. “Building the right protective factors can strengthen families and improve the health and wellbeing of children. Helping to ensure children are raised in safe, healthy, and nurturing homes makes them more prepared to handle the stressors in life that come their way, and ultimately better able to care for themselves and their communities.”

The JFS team offers five ways to improve your family’s protective factors and wellbeing.

  1. Parental Resilience refers to a parent’s ability to cope effectively with stress and bounce back from difficult situations. Many parents feel guilty prioritizing their own well-being, but research suggests that when parents (especially mothers) are happy and well, children experience lower anxiety and greater health outcomes.TIP: Shift your mindset around self-care by reminding yourself that taking time to care for yourself is an investment in your child’s well-being. Go for that walk. Do that painting class. Schedule your child for a sleepover at their cousin’s house to get that break you deserve. Your family thrives when you thrive.
  2. Strong Social Connections with friends, family, or other community members help reawaken the village feeling that our modern society has lost.TIP: Find time to reconnect with your loved ones by scheduling a play date or calling an old friend on your next commute. Your heart will thank you.
  3. When we know better, we do better, right? By improving your Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development you are better equipped to meet your child’s needs.TIP: Find a book, podcast, or Instagram account and get to learning! Check out Good Inside (the book or the podcast) by Dr. Becky Kennedy – also @drbeckyatgoodinside on Instagram.
  4. Today’s society seems to be evolving at an ever-increasing rate, but our basic needs remain the same. Accessing Concrete Support in Times of Need is critical to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.TIP: Not sure how to get connected to the resources you need? Call 2-1-1 for assistance navigating the community resources that are out there and available to support you.
  5. Did you know that your child’s level of emotional intelligence (EQ) is a greater predictor of success in life than their IQ? Helping to Build your Child’s Emotional Vocabulary is one of the first steps to helping kids handle their big emotions.TIP: Simple sentences like, “I see you’re feeling angry,” and “I see how sad you are,” can help our children to feel seen, give them language to express their emotions, and ultimately help to improve their social and emotional competence.

The core family support services offered by JFS include parent support groups, offering home visits to clients, helping clients increase their access to childcare, and women’s empowerment groups. For more information, visit jfswny.org.

About Jewish Family Services of WNY

Since 1862, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been providing all members of our community with critical health and human services, regardless of religion, ethnicity, cultural background, gender identification, ability or age. The life-changing and wide-ranging services from elder care to refugee resettlement to behavioral and physical health are provided by professional staff and supported by an extended family of dedicated volunteers and generous donors. For more information, visit jfswny.org.