Keys to Stronger Families

These times are tough, and families are facing many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents are struggling with jobs, childcare, loss of loved ones, and concerns about the health and well-being of their families. Children and teens have also seen big changes, at school and at home, and are struggling to cope.

But there are ways to keep families healthy.

Learning the "keys to stronger families" can help your family thrive.

Research shows that there are five areas that are key to keeping families well:

CONNECTIONS

Friends, family, neighbors, and community
Social connections provide emotional support, advice, and help to parents. Families may need help reaching out to build positive relationships and a strong network of support.

• Project Esperanza
  Family classes & activities
  Santa Paula & Fillmore
  www.guadalupechurchsp.com(805) 276-7671
  
  
• United Parents
  Local support and referrals for parents
  Countywide – Youth
  www.unitedparents.org
  (805) 384-1555
  
  

PARENTS' RESILIENCE

Coping with stress and challenges
Resilience is the power to cope with and bounce back from problems. Being a parent involves dealing with stress, but a parent's resilience affects how easily they can deal with that stress.

• Coping During Coronavirus
• Information & resources: parenting, school, and coping with stress
  
  
• Finding Balance in the New Normal
• Ways to cope with stress and feel back in control
  
  
• Building Healthy Habits
• Tips for building healthy habits and talking to your kids about healthy choices.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE

Learning about parenting and child development
A parent should know or be able to learn about child development so that they know what to expect from them at different ages. This helps parents see their children in a positive light and helps them develop in a healthy way.

• Parenting
• Being a Healthy Parent
• Positive Parenting
• Family Communication
• Child & Teen Mental Health

HELP WHEN NEEDED

Food, shelter, health care, and crisis support
Meeting basic needs is essential for families to thrive. And support is needed when the family goes through a crisis, such as domestic violence, mental illness, or substance abuse. Crisis support can give stability, treatment, and help for family members to get through the crisis.

• 211 Ventura County
  Free service connecting people to health and human services in the communitywww.211ventura.orgCall 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211
  
  
• Interface
  Support and resources, including youth shelter and housing referrals – Countywide
  icfs.org
  (805) 485-6114
  
  
• United Parents
  Local support and referrals for parents – Countywide
  www.unitedparents.org
  (805) 384-1555
  
  

CHILDREN'S SKILLS

Social and emotional skills
The social and emotional skills of children as well as being able to speak and act in a positive way with others is key to a healthy family. Children should learn how and when to change their behavior, and how to share their feelings to peers, parents, and other adults.

• Project Esperanza
  Family classes & activities – Santa Paula & Fillmore
  www.guadalupechurchsp.com(805) 276-7671
  
  
• Logrando Bienestar
  Mental health screenings – Santa Paula, Oxnard
  www.vcbh.org
  (805) 973-5220
  
  
• Ventura County SELPA
  Helping your child succeed at school
  www.vcselpa.org
  (805) 437-1560