Natural Helping Networks in Alleviating Family Stress

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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References

1. Alice H. Collins and Diane L. Pancoast , Natural Helping Networks (Washington, DC: NASW Press, 1976), pp. 18, 19.

2. Arthur C. Emlen and Eunice L. Watson , Matchmaking in Neighborhood Day Care (Corvallis, OR: DCE Press, 1971), p. 18.

3. Solon Robinson , Hot Corn: Life Scenes in New York Illustrated (New York, NY: De Witt & Davenport, 1854), pp. 50-73.

4. Diane L. Pancoast et al. , Natural Helping Networks and Service Delivery an Appraisal of 30 Programs, Final Report (Portland, OR: Regional Research Institute, 1981).

5. Charles Froland et al. , Helping Networks and Human Services (Beverly Hills: Sage, 1981).

6. U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Children's Bureau, Grant no. D-135, R-287.

7. Alice H. Collins and Eunice L. Watson , Family Day Care (Boston: Beacon Press, 1976), pp. 105, 106.

8. Arthur C. Emlen , Betty Donoghue , and Quentin D. Clarkson , The Stability of the Family Day Care Arrangement: A Longitudinal Study (Portland, OR: Tri-County Community Council in cooperation with Portland State University, DCE Press, 1972) p. 232.

9. Eunice L. Watson , “Trailer Courts” (Unpublished monograph, Portland, OR, 1971).

10.

10. Alice H. Collins , “Helping Neighbors Intervene in Cases of Maltreatment,” in Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect, eds. J. Garbarino and S. H. Stocking (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1980), pp. 133-172.

11.

11. Sharon Hayashida , Report on Kokua Lima Project (Honolulu: Child and Family Service, 1980), prologue, p. 1.

12.

12. Ibid., p. 1.

13.

13. Ibid., pp. 1, 2

14.

14. Froland et al. , Helping Networks.

15.

15. Hayashida , Report on Kokua Lima, p. 7.

16.

16. President's Commission on Mental Health , Report on the Task Panel on Community Support Systems, vol. 2 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978), pp. 14-40.

17.

17. Department of Health and Human Services Contract no. 18-P-00088.

18.

Donald Appleyard , “Livable Streets: Protected Neighborhoods,” ibid., pp. 106-113.