Established in Minneapolis in 1982 Emergency shelter for single adults Housing First programs for long-term homeless single adults Supportive Housing programs for families with children Our mission: to house, support, and advocate for people experiencing homelessness.

Describe family housing program- 200 families- scattered site and site based- family advocacy, rental subsidies- youth programs

Seeing young children in supportive housing Discuss opportunity- 2008 advocates started integrating this focus into our work. Describe how our agency decided to prioritize early childhood when we are a housing focused agency.

What is the role of an Early Childhood Specialist? Briefly describe role AND emphasize that this support could come from outside program- though keep in mind spirit of the role and importance of supporting housing staff providing a relationship bridge.

The quality of the relationship between the [parent] and the child is the single most important predictor of a child’s developmental outcomes. (NICD, 2000) You don’t need to be an early childhood expert to support young parents Focus on seeing parents and young children- focus on strengths. Noticing and providing opportunities for play, talking, singing.

Supporting Young Parents Highlight the parents’ strengths. Avoid lecturing or giving advice Parents are their children’s first and primary teachers. Honor parenting as sacred; parents are the experts of their own children. -Each going through their own developmental stages- sometimes having competing needs. Young people need to explore and have higher tolerance for moving around. Babies have a need to consistency and routine. Considering length of meetings- greater focus on “doing” rather than talking. Tend to do shorter, more frequent visits. I know you already know this… but I find it absolutely fascinating, etc. Parents as Teachers- young parent curriculum-

Early Childhood Outcomes 97% of families demonstrated positive, responsive parenting techniques that support children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development   87% of families promoted children’s language development 90% of families accessed community services related to early childhood. 93% of children completed annual well-child check-ups 90% of children were up to date on their immunizations.   79% of children were age-appropriate in their social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development 81% of children received early interventions as appropriate. 93% of prenatal children were within normal range of birth weight.  59% of children were referred and placed in quality care and education settings, whether accredited or Parent Aware four-star rated.

Approach “Our intentional, predictable, consistent relationships with parents can promote an emerging sense of ‘felt safety’ within the context of relationships that can literally change the way the parental brain functions” “Parenting with a Stressed Out Brain”, Michele Fallon, LICSW, IMH-E (IV) “Zoua used to know me, but until she starting seeing me as a mother- she didn’t know the most important part of me”

Successful Strategies Staff training around impact of trauma, basic child development, and best practices in supporting parents of young children Connecting families to high quality childcare and early learning centers Identifying delays early by completing ASQ and ASQ:SE questionnaires with parents and young children Providing “warm” connections to interventions rather than referrals Building trusting relationships with Early Childhood providers

Lessons Learned Supportive housing staff have an incredible opportunity to connect with parents around their young children and can serve as a relationship bridge to outside community based services Recognizing that how we are with parents in more important than what we do Building in opportunities to play Recognizing what parents are already doing and giving voice to it Patience and persistence are key Changing the way we interview and hire for positions.

Visit us at simpsonhousing.org or facebook.com/simpsonhousing Janelle Leppa Family Housing Programs Director 2100 Pillsbury Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 Direct Line: 612.455.0844 | Mobile: 612.205.9207   Thank You! Visit us at simpsonhousing.org or facebook.com/simpsonhousing