Using Asset-Based Community Development to Support Children Involved in Mental Health and Child Welfare Systems

Healthy and sustainable communities with robust social networks are vital to supporting children and preventing potential out-of-home placements. Asset-based community development (ABCD) is a strengths-based approach that centers on identifying and mobilizing existing community resources, skills, and services on a local level to meet individual needs. ABCD benefits communities and the people who are a part of them by building capacity, helping community members realize their own strengths and potential, and forming partnerships to achieve long-term change. In this webinar, panelists will discuss how communities can get started with ABCD and outline how ABCD can be used to support children outside of formal service systems and keep them in the least restrictive placements with their families and natural supports.