Oklahoma Family Week encourages strong families Published Nov. 23, 2011 By Joyce Atlee Family Advocacy Outreach Manager TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Everyone can play a part in building strong families and preventing child abuse by celebrating Oklahoma Family Week, which ends Nov. 27. This year's theme is "Connections Count." The Tinker Air Force Base Family Advocacy Program joins the Oklahoma State Department of Health, County Health Departments, Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition and other community partners in encouraging families and community organizations to plan and participate in fun family and community activities during the upcoming holidays. "We want to emphasize that children live better lives when their families are strong, and families are strong when they live in communities that connect them to economic opportunities, social networks, and services. These connections include access to reliable transportation, employment opportunities, education, child care, housing, health care and support from community networks and institutions," said OSDH Family Support and Prevention Service, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Grant Coordinator Sherie Trice. According to the OSDH public health officials, certain protective factors have been identified to reduce risks of child abuse and neglect, build family capacity for growth, foster resilience against social problems, and strengthen the family and community. They include: · Nurturing and attachment -- Early bonding and nurturing throughout childhood builds a close bond that helps parents better understand, respond to, and communicate with their children. Tinker's Family Advocacy program offers military families the New Parent Support Program, which works with new and expectant parents to address the formation of those close bonds, as well as teaching parents the skills to be responsive and effective parents. · Knowledge of parenting and child and youth development -- information about what to anticipate as children develop and strategies for effective parenting so that parents learn what to look for at each age and how to help their children reach their full potential. NPSP helps parents understand what stage their young child is going through and how to deal with each milestone. Family Advocacy also offers parenting classes such as 1-2-3 Magic for parents with children ages 2 to 6 years old and Common Sense Parenting, which addresses issues for those with children age 6 through 17 years old. · Parental resilience -- This protective factor includes how parents' ability to cope and problem solve affects their ability to deal effectively with everyday stress or a major crisis, recognize the signs of stress, and know what to do about it. Family Advocacy offers a Stress Management class, an Anger Management class and H.A.S. -- Healthy Thinking, Anger, Stress class, which can help parents and others improve their approach to difficult situations, change and everyday life. · Social connections -- identifying ways to help parents expand their social networks to build a broader base of parenting support such as family, friends, and neighbors who can help in times of need. Family Advocacy promotes formation of informal social networks through Rhythm Kids and playgroups twice monthly. These services encourage parents of children under 5 years old to get out of the house, meet other parents, and have fun connecting with their children. · Concrete supports for parents -- Finding out what basic resources are available in the community and how to access them to address family-specific needs such as access to financial, housing and other resources can help parents have more time to fulfill their role as parents. Family Advocacy and other base agencies offer a wide range of information and referral services for the entire base community, as well as counseling on many issues. Family Advocacy can be reached at 734-4390, the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 739-2747, the Base Chapel at 734-2111, the Mental Health Clinic at 734-4393, the Military Family Life Consultants at 464-6079, and the Employee Assistance program at 734-6687. Some ways you can make "Connections Count" include extending your family by meeting your neighbors and having a neighborhood activity; getting involved in a school meeting or activity to improve your child's education; coordinating a family volunteer project; picking an issue that can improve your community, then working with local officials and organizations to make the changes; and encouraging employers to consider family friendly work options such as flexible hours and time off to attend school functions. Family Advocacy reminds you, don't forget the single Airmen and others this holiday season. Make connections count by inviting a co-worker to a family meal or an outing. It could make a world of difference to someone lonely or far from home. For more information about National Family Week across the U.S., visit www.nationalfamilyweek.org or view the Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition Web site at www.ofrc.org/.