Complex issues need collaborative solutions. Communities bring all the critical players to the collaboration—service providers, educators, health care professionals, law enforcement, businesses, government agencies, and most importantly, parents and youth. Local communities utilize support to identify gaps in services, develop long-term plans using the latest strategies and data, and coordinate activities. The community collaboration then commits to common goals, measurements, and practices—working as one toward the end goal of improving well-being.
Douglas County Community Response works to strengthen families and keep them from crisis. We are working towards the following outcomes:
- Working with families to solve problems and build on their strengths so children are safe and families are stable, thereby reducing involvement with Child Protective Services or out-of-home care.
- Creating policy change (administrative or legislative) that supports the well-being of families.
Our work is guided by these fundamental principles:
- Two-Generation Approach: Two-generation (2Gen) approaches build family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives together. The approach recognizes that families come in all different shapes and sizes and that families define themselves. Learn more here.
- Protective Factors: Protective Factors are attributes in individuals and families that increase health and well-being. All families have protective factors. You’ve probably heard of “risk factors.” Protective Factors act as a buffer against risk factors and are even more important in predicting positive outcomes for children. Learn more here.
- Collective Impact: Collective Impact is a process of structured collaboration for community change first identified by FSG, and defined as "the commitment of a group of actors from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a complex social problem."
- Primary Prevention Principles: Primary prevention activities are directed at the general population and attempt to stop maltreatment before it occurs. All members of the community have access to and may benefit from these services. Primary prevention activities with a universal focus seek to raise the awareness of the general public, service providers, and decision-makers about the scope and problems associated with child maltreatment. Learn more here.
- Race/Ethnicity Equity and Inclusion: We are committed to involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. Read more about racial equity resources here.
- Community Ownership: Commitment by government institutions, nonprofit service providers, health care professionals, faith-based organizations, educators and – most importantly – the population being served to work together to improve the community well-being within their community.
