Family Strengthening and Parent Skills Training

Family strengthening activities and parent skills training are key components of the Project LAUNCH approach to family support. Some experts define family support as a constellation of formal and informal services and supports and tangible goods that are defined and determined by families.

Project LAUNCH communities use a variety of evidence-based tools and approaches to help families create healthy environments for their young children. Many of these tools are parent training programs, such as Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities and The Incredible Years Parent Training Series. By building on family members’ strengths and taking into account their culture, language, and values, Project LAUNCH supports family members in parenting their own children; providing support to other families; and informing the services and policies that affect their lives.

Some Project LAUNCH communities provide family support activities through home visitation or helping families to build financial literacy. Others use locally developed options or nationally recognized programs adapted to the cultural needs of the community, including providing families with guides to help them navigate through the social services systems in their community.