Prevention

American Humane Association's initiative, the Front Porch Project, reflects the belief that everyone can -- and should -- become more aware of how to help protect children in their own community.

This concept is much the same as a good neighbor sitting on the front porch who, in years past, would have been aware of and involved in solving problems affecting families they knew. American front porches were more than convenient sitting places; they served as networking centers where concerned friends could share information and devise support systems to help each other through difficult times.

Our problems today obviously stem from far more complex issues than the architectural decline of front porches, yet there is great benefit in recapturing that sense of responsibility for the welfare of children that many of us have relinquished.

The Front Porch Project advocates for becoming involved in each other's lives, recognizing the power of one person in making a significant difference in the life of a child, and applying strategies for intervening when necessary to help protect children and assist families.

The Front Porch Project training sessions are the heart and soul of this Children's Division project. Through training of interested citizens in how to respond to possible instances of child maltreatment, American Humane delivers the basic elements of the Front Porch Project to selected communities. Using a capacity-building approach, the Front Porch Project helps participants examine and understand their role in the lives of children and families, as they acquire new skills and learn safe intervention methods to promote child safety and family well-being. American Humane has worked in partnership with Devereux Kids, Inc., Clearwater, Florida, to broaden the design of this project by helping communities achieve ownership and sustainability through the creation of teams that include:

Sustainers
An organization or agency in the community that has the vision, mission, philosophy, infrastructure, and connections to initiate and maintain the effort.

Connectors
Individuals, neighborhood associations, organizations, agencies, or faith-based groups who participate in the project and identify other participants. Connectors are expected to take the "Front Porch" message and action back into their lives, families, and communities. Many of the "connectors" continue with the project as local trainers.

Supporters
Foundations, corporations, agencies, and organizations to provide funds and other in-kind resources to support and maintain the project.

In each Front Porch Project community, a local organization is identified as a project "sustainer" to serve as the local lead and point of contact for the initiative. This role includes convening an initial meeting of community leaders to act in a support capacity to the Front Porch Project in their area. Once community leaders are familiarized with the project, they help identify training group participants. American Humane then provides training and technical assistance to the original project team. In addition, American Humane provides technical assistance to the host organization as they work to sustain this initiative through outreach and training to local community residents. The community partner organization coordinates local trainings and logistics, provides technical assistance to their trainer pool, maintains communication with key community representatives, and disseminates instructional materials.

Download information about implementation of the Front Porch Project throughout Florida through Devereux Kids.