Expanding the Perspectives and Research Foundation for the Strengthening Families & Youth Thrive Frameworks

The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) developed the "Strengthening Families Approach and Protective Factors Framework" (SF) and the "Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors Framework" (YT) in response to an urgent need in the fields of child maltreatment prevention and youth services to shift from a primary goal of identifying risk factors and "fixing" problems to elevating the goal of building attributes, relationships, knowledge, skills, and resources that maximize the potential of children, youth, and families. These research-informed frameworks address the two most significant developmental periods in the lifespan: early childhood and adolescence. The purpose of this report is to expand the perspectives and research evidence that inform the SF and YT frameworks by addressing key issues not highlighted in the initial SF and YT research foundation reports. It is intended to broaden understandings about the challenges children, youth, and parents face and ways to promote a trajectory of healthy development and well-being. The report includes research and perspectives by racially and ethnically diverse scholars to ensure that the explanations of key constructs and pathways to healthy development and well-being are not limited to a single ethnocentric perspective. Also, it is informed by perspectives of SF and YT thought partners, practitioners, and young adults which were shared during several listening sessions undertaken in 2023.