A program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect is hoping communities across the state will lend a hand to families in need.

The Family First Initiative of the Commission on Children’s Justice aims to address multiple needs of struggling families by directing those families to services and resources that will improve family stability and create safer home environments for children, according to a press release. The idea is to identify and coordinate resources, and to connect struggling families with services.

Organizers outlined several possibilities that draw on collaborative efforts by government, businesses, non-profits and the faith-based community:  Helping parents with parenting and life skills, donating beds for children, cleaning homes, anything that helps struggling families.

“For too long in Mississippi we have been reactionary to crisis,” Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam said. “Children don’t want a new family. They want us to help fix their family and we owe them our best efforts.”

“A home doesn’t have to be perfect in order for it to be the right place for these children,” Beam said.

The effort is a worthy one that deserves the support of all communities in the state. We are hopeful this project will reduce child abuse and neglect and keep more families together.