Historically, child welfare operated under the assumption that certain families could not properly care for their children. Deborah Daro, senior research fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, reminds us that all families experience struggles and need help. Daro explains that prevention programs can be a unifying force to remind us that the entire community is responsible for providing these supports, not just child protective services.

Corey Best, member of the Birth Parent National Network, believes that every family has strengths and assets and that it’s essential for the child protection agency to identify them.