Strong and Stable Families

Background

Strong and Stable Families is a mixed-methods study that aims to (1) identify protective factors that reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect in Wisconsin households; (2) examine the impact of Wisconsin’s Family Resource Centers. Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are universal, primary prevention programs that help parents and caregivers from all socioeconomic backgrounds access an array of services and community resources. During phase 1 of the project, survey data were collected from more than 650 parents who received services from one of 18 different FRCs along with 1,500 parents who were randomly selected from the general population. In addition to household and community protective factors, the survey yielded data on adverse and positive life experiences, health and well-being, social determinants of health, family demographics, and FRC service experiences. A second study phase is planned to launch in 2024, through which quantitative and qualitative data will be collected to generate new insights into the implementation and impact of the FRCs.