Concrete Support in Times of Need is having access to support and services that reduce stress and help to make families stronger. Caregivers whose concrete needs are met have more time and energy to devote to their children’s safety and well-being. When families do not have steady financial resources, lack a stable living situation, or cannot afford food or health care, their ability to support their children’s healthy development may be at risk. Resources are available in your area to help caregivers meet their families’ basic needs for food, safe housing, transportation, child care, health care, and employment at findhelpidaho.org.
What Does Concrete Support in Times of Need Look Like?
- Parent is open to accessing and utilizing services
- Parent has had positive experiences with services in the past
- Parent has been able to address specific barriers (literacy, lack of transportation, etc.) that make it
- difficult to access services
- Parent has addressed personal behavioral traits (e.g., punctuality, willingness to share personal information, etc.) to more effectively utilize services
- Parent tries to buffer the child from the stress caused by the family’s concrete needs
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What do you need to _________ (stay in your house, keep your job, pay your heating bill etc.)?
- What have you done to handle the problem? Has this worked?
- Are there community groups or local services that you have worked with in the past? What has been your experience accessing their services?
- Are there specific barriers that have made it difficult for you to access services in the past?
- How does dealing with these issues impact the way you parent?
Sometimes, you have to look beyond friends and family for help, especially if you're confronting a serious crisis, such as a death in the family or the loss of a job. Being able to ask for help is important to get connected to services you need, whether it's job training, food assistance, or mental health services.