Abstract
As they have for generations, natural helping networks act as family support systems in many different social and cultural settings. The value of natural helping networks in assisting working parents with young children to find and maintain family day care has been documented. The resources these networks provide in alleviating or intervening in family stress that otherwise might lead to neglect and abuse is beginning to be recognized, explored, and utilized. We pioneered a method for professionals to identify and recruit natural helpers in these networks, to collaborate in the matching of needs and resources in neighborhoods, and to link with the formal agency system as needed. In this article, the method is described with mainland and Hawaiian applications. It is suggested that policymakers should recognize the value of natural helping networks as a financially feasible method of reaching parents in ways that prevent or ameliorate child abuse and neglect and that offer ongoing social support to families.
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