Family resource centers and the prevention of child maltreatment: A scoping review

Family Resource Centers have emerged globally as key community-based strategies for preventing child maltreatment. Rooted in a public health approach, Family Resource Centers aim to enhance protective factors, reduce risk factors, and support family and community well-being through accessible, prevention-focused services.

This scoping review synthesizes current research on the impact of Family Resource Centers, with a focus on their role in preventing child maltreatment and promoting family and community well-being.

The review included 42 studies examining Family Resource Centers in various community-based contexts. Most studies focused on families with children, though population characteristics and geographic settings varied across the literature.

Following established scoping review methodology, peer-reviewed articles and gray literature were systematically identified, screened, and analyzed. Data were extracted, and findings were thematically categorized.

Four key themes emerged: (1) parenting practices and family well-being, (2) social support and community well-being, (3) child maltreatment, and (4) program satisfaction and engagement. Results suggest that Family Resource Centers have the potential to reduce child maltreatment and associated risk factors. However, limitations in the existing literature include methodological challenges, gaps in population representation, and uncertainty regarding direct impacts on child maltreatment rates.

Family Resource Centers hold significant potential as a public health strategy to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen family systems. Continued research is essential to address gaps, improve evaluation methods, and inform policy and practice to optimize Family Resource Center impact.