The Family Partners initiative of the Cleveland Central Promise network develops partnerships and supports relationships with families who have preschool-aged children.

Family Partners was developed with the recognition that each family has the ability to support and sustain one another, and many simply need the time, the knowledge and the network to grow and strengthen that ability. This is where Family Partners is especially helpful; individual families have the building blocks already, and Family Partners can offer a personalized blueprint for building a stable structure.

Family Partners utilizes a network of experts in early childhood development, family health and social connections to build relationships with families in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood, affirm their strengths and areas for growth, and help them build the support systems necessary for positive, stable outcomes for children and caregivers alike.

Starting Point, Family Connections-SPARK Ohio, Ohio Guidestone and Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood collaborate using a whole-family approach to:

• Help families with kindergarten prep

• Assist parents in recognizing their power as children’s learning partners

• Strengthen overall family relationships

Through this collaborative initiative, Family Partners works to strengthen the protective factors in each participating family by integrating the SPARK home visiting model, mental health coaching, access to family supports and resources and group activities and connections.

Protective Factors:

• Parental resilience

• Social connections

• Knowledge of parenting and child development

• Social and emotional competence of children

• Concrete support in times of need

Strengthening the protective factors in each family will lead to positive outcomes, including: school readiness, increased family literacy, powerful learning partnerships among parents and children, strong mental health foundations, appropriate physical and emotional health in children and an overall stronger family relationship.

The initiative is supported through the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland and the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation.