The mission of the Healthy Families Thriving Communities Collaborative Council is to bring together leaders to create and sustain a citywide network that empowers families and communities to improve their quality of life. Through direct service, advocacy and linkages to resources, the Collaboratives work to prevent child abuse and neglect, preserve families at risk of child maltreatment, and stabilize families who are formally involved with the child welfare system. The Council enhances each of the seven Collaboratives by providing support in the following areas: marketing and public relations, technical assistance and training, data and trend analysis, strategic development as well as liaison relations between DC agencies and Collaboratives.