A caregiver reading a picture book with two young children

The Five Protective Factors

Everything we do rests on a simple, research-backed idea: certain conditions make families stronger and more resilient, and protect children from harm. Researchers call them the Five Protective Factors. We call them the heart of the work. Developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy, this framework grounds our programs and shapes how we show up for every family.

The Five factors, explained

  • Parental Resilience The strength to keep going through the hard days
  • Social Connections The people who show up for you
  • Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Knowing what your child needs at each stage
  • Concrete Support in times of need Real help when life gets hard
  • Social and emotional competence of children Helping children learn to relate, regulate, and thrive