
Knowing How to Find Help
Seeking support in times of need and knowing how to accept help when it’s offered.
Sooner or later, every family needs help. Asking isn’t always easy, but recognizing your family’s needs and reaching out to others for support is a sign of strength. Finding concrete support in times of need is important, whether you’re looking for essentials (like clothes, food or housing), skills and services (like education, advocacy or medical care) or social support (like a job recommendation or a friendly ear).
When families know how to find help, parents can stress a little less and enjoy family life a little more. Advocating for your family helps you build self-confidence and persistence. Knowing how to accept help when it is offered can teach your kids courage and resourcefulness. Strong families are better able to help others, too.
Hear from parents

I remember the day I asked for help, a burden lifted off of me. It was a heavy, heavy load that I carried for a long time. Don’t be scared to ask. There’s a lot of help out there.”
-Steve
Knowing How to Find Help can mean…

Taking help when it’s offered

Searching for the resources you need

Advocating for your family
Ask Yourself…
There are no right answers. Thinking about these questions can help you understand your family’s strengths.



Knowing How to Find Help makes you strong
No one gets through life without support from others, but asking for help can be uncomfortable. Meeting your family’s needs may mean stepping outside your comfort zone. There are things you can do to make that step easier.
The 5 Strengths are also called Protective Factors.

The language some people use to describe the 5 Strengths may be different. They are also called Protective Factors. But no matter which words you use, research has shown how important these strengths are for families as they navigate the challenges and joys of daily life.
Knowing How to Find Help

Concrete Support in Times of Need
Share Your Strength
Tell us about the strategies you used to grow stronger during a challenging time for your family. By sharing, you might help another family get ideas. And together we can all become stronger. By submitting a story, all or part of it may be posted on this website. See Policy on Further Disclosure or Use.
The Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board may use or share my story or any part of it for public awareness and educational purposes. I also understand the Prevention Board may edit my story for length or content. By granting my permission, I release the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, its employees, directors, and agents from any liability related to the disclosure or use of my story or any part of my story.


Share Your Strength
Tell us about the strategies you used to grow stronger during a challenging time for your family. By sharing, you might help another family get ideas. And together we can all become stronger. By submitting a story, all or part of it may be posted on this website. See Policy on Further Disclosure or Use.
The Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board may use or share my story or any part of it for public awareness and educational purposes. I also understand the Prevention Board may edit my story for length or content. By granting my permission, I release the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, its employees, directors, and agents from any liability related to the disclosure or use of my story or any part of my story.
Thank you!
Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your family. We are unable to publish every story and stories will not appear immediately after being submitted. Stories may be edited for length and context. Also, stories may be incorporated into other Prevention Board resources and materials. Questions? Learn more about our Policy on Further Disclosure or Use.
The Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board may use or share my story or any part of it for public awareness and educational purposes. I also understand the Prevention Board may edit my story for length or content. By granting my permission, I release the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, its employees, directors, and agents from any liability related to the disclosure or use of my story or any part of my story.
