Introduction
• Section 1: What’s so important about birth to 5?
• Section 2: Threats to resilience
• Section 3: Building a sturdy foundation for children: protective factors that promote resilience
• Section 4: A strategic framework for action
• Section 5: Moving forward

References
Appendix A: Resource list
Appendix B: Screening tools
Appendix C: Assessing the problem
Appendix D: Conducting focus groups
Appendix E: Strategies for coalition building

This guide was developed in the United States and is organized in sections designed for practical use.
In Section 1, we focus on the importance of early development, highlighting recent findings about how the brain develops. In Section 2, we look at the newest and best research on how toxic stress can harm brain development. We focus particularly on toxic stress that can occur in families struggling with mental health problems, substance abuse, and a history of trauma. Use this information when you are developing or making the case for a new outreach effort, a new program, or a new law or advocacy effort.

In Section 3, we look at how to build a sturdy foundation for the very young children in our communities, starting by supporting interactions between children and their closest caregivers, and then expanding to a wider sphere. Here the emphasis is on building supports and coping capacities in the families and in the people and service providers surrounding the child. This section can be used as a springboard to goal-setting and planning when you’ve gathered community partners.

Section 4 provides you with a six-step road map for action:
1. Assess how far along your community is in building resources and structures that contribute to the well-being of families;
2. Assess your community’s capacity for supporting family well-being;
3. Build partnerships and coalitions among existing community groups;
4. Outline a strategic plan;
5. Provide guides and tips for implementation; and
6. Evaluate your efforts to better understand your impact and continually improve your strategies.

Section 4 is designed to be a guide for identifying doable strategies. Although the process may seem complex, each of the steps can be used one at a time to increase your chances for success—whether you are embarking on outreach efforts or working to create larger programs or structures.