Directions: Think of the protective factors discussed within this lesson and throughout this course. For each of the protective factors listed below, detail the available resources and supports that may have helped the Miller family. Direct care staff members complete this same exercise in their lessons. Review the suggested responses for additional information and ideas to provide staff with strategies for strengthening all families including those affected by abuse or neglect.

1. Parental Resilience: The Family was dealing with a great deal of stress. What community or installation resources might have helped?
   Services from social workers or mental health professionals might have helped the family identify appropriate guidance and discipline strategies for their pre-teen children. Non-medical counseling or adoption support for military families (for example, by seeking support on the Military OneSource website) also could have helped them work through short-term stressors.

    
2. Social Connections: As military service members stationed away from family and friends, what could have helped them build social connections?
   This family was involved in their community. It might have been helpful for the family to make connections with other families of foster children who were experiencing similar challenges.

    
3. Concrete Support in Times of Need: What concrete supports did they need?
   Concrete supports for anger management and discipline practices are needed. They also might need concrete supports like babysitters or respite from the demands of parenting.

    
4. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: How could the family have been prepared?
   The Miller family might need information about what to expect from adolescent children in terms of behavior and social development. Such information might have prepared them to support Bethany and Braden rather than punish. They also could have used information about how to support relationship-building between their biological children and foster children. They created a situation in which the biological children dominated and assaulted the foster children.

    
5. Social and Emotional Competence of Children: Bethany and Braden’s behavior indicated they needed support around social and emotional competence. What might have helped them?
   Bethany and Braden might benefit from support around the emotional events they have experienced throughout their lifetimes. They need professional help to process the experiences they have had in foster homes since toddlerhood. They may be dealing with feelings of abandonment and insecurity. They also need support around building their own social connections. If they have moved around a lot, they may be hesitant to make new friends. They might assume that they will be moving to a new foster home soon, anyway. They need adults to help them learn to identify and express their emotions appropriately. They also could benefit from programs that help them interact appropriately with peers and adults.