EVERYDAY ACTIONS TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT Keryn Bernard-Kriegl 10:30 Let’s find out who is in the room and what you hope to take away.

Workshop Goal Participants will increase their knowledge, and build skills and confidence in supporting stressed families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect occurring. Caveat* This topic may be difficult for you. Please take care of yourself and seek support from a loved one or professional if needed.

NH #s from Child Maltreatment 2014 Physical 15,184 referrals 11,636 investigations (unique) 646 substantiated (unique) 700 children in foster care (est) Emotional Sexual To report: 800-894-5533 All NH adults are mandated reporters. That means that if you are concerned about the safety of a child you must contact central intake and make a report. This workshop is not about identifying abuse or neglect that has already occurred, but I’ve put a resource in your packet. We believe that child abuse and neglect are preventable. The every day actions we take can build caring communities that help families become stronger. We know when families have the five protective factors, Parental resilience, Social Connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete supports in times of need and social and emotional competence of children that they can be resilient.

10:40 Experiences that result in trauma or toxic stress are called adverse childhood experiences. There was a major study done on ten ACES in the 90s and replicated since then in several states. We believe that parents do the best that they can with the knowledge and resources they have. Families pass down both positive and negative experiences. And we know things happen. Learning about ACEs and learning how to prevent the occurrence and the negative impact is essential for healing our society. The Strengthening Families Protective Factors are an essential component of this transformation. Keryn tell story of fire. More than half the population has at least one adverse childhood experience. They are very common. Can read through and calculate in your head or on paper Not be sharing

Personal and Parental Reflections on Adverse Childhood Experiences 10:43 Adverse childhood experiences are the most basic and long-lasting cause of health risk behaviors, mental illness, social malfunction, disease, disability, death, and healthcare costs. Protective factors act as buffers. But without buffers, we know greater adverse experiences – higher score- are more likely to create problems throughout life. Let’s take a closer look at Aces and how some parents are using that knowledge to change their behaviors. Keep in mind your childhood experiences while watching this short film.

NH Children's Trust www.nhchildrenstrust.org 603-224-1279 10:53 What are some reflection you have after watching the film. Resilience. Knowledge is power. References for statistics available by request 6

5 MINUTE ACTIVITY In small groups… What kinds of stressors do families face? What supports and when are they offered to families? 10:56 What kind of experiences might be stressful for families. Think about your own family of origin, your nuclear or extended family, families in your community or families you have worked with. What supports and when are they offered to families?

The Upstream Solution 11:03 The field of Public Health has been the prevention leader for decades. Here is a video demonstrating what we mean by “Going Upstream” 3 minute video. In your small groups, did you identify down stream or upstream supports?

5 MINUTE ACTIVITY In small groups… When could you have gone upstream instead of pulling people out of the river? 11:10 Many of us are “Fixers.” We like to problem solve. We feel good if we help those less fortunate then us. Think about your own family of origin, your nuclear or extended family, families in your community or families you have worked with.

Building Adult Capabilities 11:17 It’s not too late. There is so much we can do to build caring communities that help families become stronger. Here is a 5 minute video from the Harvard Center for the Developing Child about building the skills of adults to impact healthier outcomes for children. You can find many more resources on line.

Every Day Actions Children are our future. Every child deserves a great childhood. Prevention is a shared responsibility. Anything you do to support children and parents in your family and extended community helps reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. 11:24 Please pull out the document called Strengthening Families Actions for Everyone.

Your Knowledge: Protective Factors Parental Resilience Social Connections Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Concrete Supports in Times of Need Social and Emotional Competence of Children The Protective Factors are essential in transforming our society and healing from generations of adverse childhood experiences. Who can give me an example of Parental Resilience…

Your Belief: Family Engagement Goals Expertise Communication WHAT YOU BELIEVE MATTERS CORE BELIEF OF PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES Families bring expertise about the members of their family, family culture and beliefs and experiences. Practitioners bring expertise from their education and work experience. Children do best when families and practitioners work as a team. Work together to set goals for the child, parent, or family unit Engage in two-way conversations ie notebook, or meetings Give and share expertise Program level decisions Wider advocacy efforts Decisions Advocacy

Your Lens: Positive Behavioral Supports Behaviors Meet Needs Self Control Instead of External Control Misbehaviors are Opportunities To Teach THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS MATTERS How many of you are familiar with Positive Behavioral Supports (PBIS)? If we can assume that more than half of the population has had at least one adverse childhood experience and that their development might have been interrupted, than we can implement PBIS with adults too. Positive Loving Environments Behavior Not in a Vacuum Clear Expectations Routines Parents Looking to Fit in

Your Behavior: Supporting a Frustrated Parent Keep calm Check Volume and Tone Distraction and Diversion Offer help Empathize Validate De-escalate  - I wonder if ...  - Let’s try ...  - It seems like ...  - Maybe we can ... - Would it be possible… Seek help THE WAY YOU BEHAVE MATTERS Keep calm Lower your voice and keep your tone even Distraction and diversion are extremely useful Let them know you want to help them. Give choices, repeat these using the broken-record technique if necessary Acknowledge the concerns/emotions of the parent whether you agree with them or not (validation) Use words and phrases that de-escalate, such as  - I wonder if ...  - Let’s try ...  - It seems like ...  - Maybe we can ... Seek help from co-workers or the client’s family/ friends

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY 20 minutes Select a recorder Select a scenario Run through each scenario 3 times One of you will be the parent Take turns addressing the parent as a relative or friend community member provider the parent already has a relationship with 11:29 THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART. It is your opportunity to practice. You do not need to perform. Pay attention to how you feel as the parent and the support person. Be kind to each other and offer suggestions for improvement. We don’t need to be perfect we just need to get better. The recorder should jot down key phrases, body language, tone or other supports that went well so we can all get more tips for our tool bag. Upstream Caring Communities Strengthening families Resources outweigh stress.

11:54 Harvest. Children are our future. Every child deserves a great childhood. Prevention is a shared responsibility. Anything you do to support children and parents in your family and extended community helps reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.

By creating caring communities, you are strengthening families and they are better able to create safe, stable and nurturing environments in which their children can thrive.