Be Strong Families creates conversations that…
Strengthen families.
Reduce child abuse and neglect.
Are informed by research and evidence.
Combat isolation.
Reduce violence in communities.
Shift loneliness to lasting connection.
Build stronger teams and organizations.
Promote youth leadership.
Honor all lived experiences.
Heal trauma.
Are made by parents, for parents.
Strengthen families. Reduce child abuse and neglect. Are informed by research and evidence. Combat isolation. Reduce violence in communities. Shift loneliness to lasting connection. Build stronger teams and organizations. Promote youth leadership. Honor all lived experiences. Heal trauma. Are made by parents, for parents.
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Cafés
Reaching 400,000 families each year through structured, peer-led conversations that strengthen Protective Factors.
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Institute Training
Monthly trainings build skills to work with families. 12,000 individuals trained worldwide.
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Youth Advisory Board
Supporting youth in care in changing the systems that shape their lives.
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Café Community
A resource hub connecting over 5,000 trained Café hosts.
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Child Welfare
Family-strengthening support for families navigating child-welfare systems — and the workers and leaders who serve and support them.
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Evidence & Evaluation
Six independent evaluations. Over 32,000 participants. Demonstrated impact on family functioning.
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Events
Conversations held in the community — giving you a seat at the table.
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BSF Shop
Tools and merch to drive your own meaningful conversations.
Looking for a training, workshop or webinar?
News & Highlights
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Wales Leads with Parent Cafés: Inside BSF's First International Affiliate
Parent advocacy network (PAN) in Wales becomes BSF's first international affiliate — and a model for what peer support can look like worldwide.
Read the full story → -
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How Illinois Youth Got The Hair Care Bill Passed
Real change happens in trusting partnership. Youth thrive when adults show up not to lead for them, but to stand beside them. The Haircare Bill is a shining example.
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Hair Care Symposium 2026
Celebrating identity, community, and the landmark Illinois Haircare Bill, the 2nd Annual Haircare Symposium returns this October.
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The annual Evanston Family Fun Fest is coming up this August
Celebrate summer! Join us for a free family day in Evanston, Illinois, packed with ice skating, food, crafts, a resource fair, and community. Get a professional family photo taken, too!
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New! Conversations for Emerging Elders and Grandparents
BSF's newest Café deck celebrates the fullness of later life with 30 bilingual cards that spark meaningful conversations about caregiving, legacy, and the possibilities of this season.
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BSF Publishes LinkedIn Newsletters
Be Strong Families publishes two bi-weekly newsletters: one to meet you where you are, and the other to help you stay ahead of what's coming. Subscribe to, “Parenting in the Age of AI” or “Conversations We Need,” on our LinkedIn page.
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Cafés Reach Families Navigating Medical Complexity in Golisano Children's Hospital
New research from Golisano Children's Hospital shows Parent Cafés help caregivers of kids with complex medical needs feel more confident, supported, and connected.
Let us introduce ourselves and share why we’re here →
146 partner organizations
Learn about Café hosting, training of trainers, learning opportunities, and more →
12,000+ leaders trained worldwide
Discover the powerful and beloved Parent and Vitality Cafés →
400K+ Café attendees in 2024
“I felt hope for the first time; Cafés helped me rediscover my purpose.”
–Stephanie C.
Shop Café supplies and more!
The flagship Parent Café deck updated and expanded, featuring 96 updated questions focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
This Parent Café in a Box has 325 total questions, bilingual in English and Spanish.This revision is co-created by Be Strong Families and its community, with input from people who have both lived and have professional experience with EDI and LGBTQIA+ inclusion and racial equity. Focusing on the five Protective Factors, the Parent Café in a Box is a portable, easy-to-use resource to support your local parent engagement efforts.
* Back in stock!
Featuring quirky conversations and endless fun, this second edition of QUESTIONABLE The Game introduces the Heckler card!
Revised to remove all of the "mom" questions, this game now has 400 cards and is really portable.
Chock full of eye-opening, insightful, and hilarious cards, the Game brings out the quirky conversation in all of us. Using simple rules and engaging questions, QUESTIONABLE encourages people to let loose, open up about their thoughts, dreams, and memories, and bring out true connection that sparks the joy and love that’s at the heart of all families.
QUESTIONABLE is a game for friends and families of all ages, recommended for 3-30 players. The game is easy to learn and intuitive—get the most points taking turns playing and answering all sorts of questions!
For more information, visit www.questionablethegame.com
Work with your subconscious mind to build a family that honors your deepest desires and expresses your values. These ways to live the five Protective Factors will keep you focused on vitality, resilience, rich relationships, and loving communication. In this inspirational card deck, Be Strong Families gives you the tools you need to nurture the spirit of your family and promote well-being and peace. Use these cards every day and watch your family’s life transform.
*In Stock!