Family support, defined as “a set of beliefs and an approach to strengthening and empowering families and communities so that they can foster the optimal development of children, youth, and adult family members,” is effective in preventing child abuse and neglect and in reducing the stresses that contribute to child maltreatment.

 

The primary responsibility for the development and well being of children lies within the family. Just as children need to be seen in the context of their families, families are best understood and supported in the context of neighborhoods and communities.