Enhancing Protective Factors Among Children and Adolescents in Cleveland County, North Carolina

Addressing the social and community context social determinant of health (SDOH) has the potential to greatly impact the health, daily functioning, and quality of life of individuals and communities. Increasing the proportion of children and adolescents who communicate positively with their parents would benefit Cleveland County, North Carolina. Positive communication promotes emotional and physical health throughout adolescence, reduces nutrient deficiencies and substance misuse, and improves mental health. Expanding the Family Check Up (FCU) program and the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P Program) in Cleveland County will improve parent-child communication. The FCU program aims to decrease or prevent adolescent substance use and improve associated nutrition outcomes by addressing parent-child communication and household factors. Triple P educates parents to create a positive learning environment that increases their confidence, reduces their stress, and improves communication between parenting partners and their children.