Concrete supports

Resources for parents

What type of supports help prevent child abuse?

Families are less likely to experience stress that can lead to crisis when they have access to basic needs—like food, housing, health care, and child care. These types of support are called concrete supports. They reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect by giving parents the tools and resources they need during hard times. Families can focus on building strong, healthy relationships with their children when they don’t have to worry about these basics.

Types of supports that help prevent child abuse and neglect:

  • Safe and stable housing
  • Healthy food
  • Access to health care and mental health services
  • Reliable transportation
  • Affordable child care
  • Help paying for utilities or other urgent needs

Where can you find help?

If you or someone you know needs help:

  • Call 2-1-1 for local resources
  • Talk to your child’s school, doctor, or a local community center
  • Call or text 9-8-8 if you’re struggling and don’t know what else to do

Where can you find help and resources if you need it?

There are many resources to help families throughout Utah. You can find resources at https://dcfs.utah.gov/services/prevention/. Some of these resources include:

Early Childhood Utah opens in a new tab lists more than 100 programs and services from organizations across Utah that can help your family thrive — and many are free or low-cost. You can search for resources by ZIP code or topic.


Home visiting programs

Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers is a home visiting program that helps new and expectant parents learn positive parenting skills and know how to support their child’s development. This program helps increase school readiness and success.


Parenting classes

Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP):

STEP is a parenting class that helps parents learn effective ways to relate to their children and encourage cooperative behavior with their children from birth through adolescence.

GRANDfamilies:

The Grandfamilies program provides grandparents and other kinship families with support and resources to help them navigate the complexities of raising relative children, and meet the safety and developmental needs of those they are caring for.

Nurturing Fathers

Nurturing Fathers is a 13-week training program that provides parenting and nurturing skills to men. Participants learn effective skills to build healthy family relationships and child development. One-on-one coaching is also available to men taking the course.

Utah Association of Family Support Centers:

Provides the 11 Family Support Centers statewide with support through advocacy, education, collaboration, and leadership.


Family support centers

Provides free care in a safe home-like environment for children ages 0-11 when parents are stressed, need a break, or have an emergency.