Standards of Quality - California Network of Family Strengthening Networks

What does it mean to be a quality Family Strengthening and Support Program?
What common language can we use for working effectively with families?
How can managers, direct service staff, and families work together to develop and sustain quality programs?

Overview


​The Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support were issued by the California Network of Family Strengthening Networks (CNFSN) in 2012, and adopted by the National Family Support Network in 2013. They are the first and only standards in the country to integrate and operationalize the Principles of Family Support Practice with the Strengthening Families Frameworks and its research-based evidence-informed 5 Protective Factors. The vision is that their implementation will help ensure that families are supported and strengthened through quality practice.

After conducting a research review of 17 different sets of Standards across the United States, the CNFSN decided to work off of the San Francisco Family Support Standards, which had been successfully implemented in that city/county since 2007. 
 
With the financial support the S.H. Cowell Foundation, the leveraged support of the California Office of Child Abuse Prevention through Strategies, and that of the 10 networks whose representatives served on the Standards Development Committee, the Standards were developed of a period of 18 months. 
 
As part of that process, the Standards were vetted with nearly 1,000 diverse organizations serving rural and urban populations across California.  They were reviewed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy to confirm their appropriate incorporation of the Strengthening Families Framework.

The Standards are designed to be used by all stakeholders–public departments, foundations, community-based organizations, and parents–across different kinds of Family Strengthening and Family Support programs as a tool for planning, providing, and assessing quality practice. The Standards create common language and expectations in the Family Support and Strengthening field across different kinds of programs, such as Family Resource Centers, home visiting programs, and child development programs.

The Standards have been adopted by the National Family Support Network and are being used across the country at the state, county, city, and individual program levels.  Please see the National Family Support Network website for all information and resources related to the Standards at . 

​Training

Training is a fundamental strategy for implementing the Standards effectively. 

Certification Training: This full-day training is designed for all management and direct service staff, as well as for funders. Each individual who completes the training receives a certificate from the National Family Support Network that is valid for 2 years. This training is provided by the member networks of the CNFSN and member networks of the National Family Support Networks. 

California Network Providers of Certification Training by Region

Northern 
  • Family Resource Center Network of California 
  • Humboldt Network of Family Resource Centers
  • Prevent Child Abuse California - Family Support Collaborative
  • Santa Clara County Family Strengthening Network

Central
  • Family Resource Center Network of California
  • First 5 San Benito Network
  • Kern County Network for Children

Bay Area
  • Contra Costa Network of First 5 Centers
  • San Francisco Family Support Network
  • Santa Clara County Family Strengthening Network

Southern
  • Family Resource Center Network of California
  • Inland Empire Family Resource Center Coalition
  • Network of Family Resource Centers of Santa Barbara County
  • San Diego Family Strengthening Network
  • San Diego Military Family Collaborative

​Upcoming Certification Trainings in California 
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