Using a Protective Factors Framework to Build ECE/CW collaboration Nilofer Ahsan November 2011

What we know about the developmental needs of young kids in CW Early attachment is a basic building block for many aspects of early development Early childhood trauma can have a cascading impact on ongoing development One aspect of the impact of trauma is that it impacts behavior Protective factors are important and can buffer and mitigate the impacts of trauma Most children will return or stay with their biological parents

Therefore….. Young children in CW will need particular focus on their developmental needs Developmental supports for these children must be informed by an understanding of the impact of trauma on development We also need to think intentionally about how to support the capacity of families to keep children safe and support their early development

Therefore…..A four point agenda Ensure that young children in CW are connected to quality ECE programs and other developmental supports Build the capacity in ECE programs to work with and support development for children who have experienced trauma Build the capacity in CW to recognize and respond to the development needs of young children Support the capacity of ECE programs and CW to build protective factors to strengthen families

Federal priorities around ECE/CW linkages Requirement for collaboration between HS and CW ACYF and Child Care Bureau Memorandum encouraging collaboration ACYF’s new focus on well-being Overarching push for collaboration at the federal level Requirements around Part C

What we know: Families thrive when protective factors are robust in their lives and communities

FIVE PROTECTIVE FACTORS PARENTAL RESILIENCE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS KNOWLEDGE of PARENTING and CHILD DEVELOPMENT CONCRETE SUPPORT in TIMES of NEED SOCIAL and EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE of CHILDREN

FEDERAL PARTNERS Administration for Children, Youth and Families: Children’s Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect Administration on Children and Families, Office of Child Care and Office of Head Start Maternal and Child Health Bureau (ECCS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), local Project Launch sites Department of Defense, New Parents Program and Family Advocacy Program

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES NATIONAL NETWORK

LEVERS FOR IMPLEMENTING AND SUSTAINING STRENGTHENING FAMILIES Integration into policies and systems Professional development Real parent partnerships

How SF states are working with Child Welfare AKCTILMAMEMIMONCNHNJPATN Protective Factors are being integrated into training for child welfare workers: xxxxxx Strengthening Families is becoming part of the child welfare practice model xxxxxxx Protective factors are being integrated into child welfare assessment tools xxxxxxx New partnerships are being formed between child welfare and early care and education programs using Strengthening Families xxxxxxxxx Child welfare provides significant funding for state Strengthening Families work xxx

EC/CW linkages other directions Learning from states already doing this work Working across states to develop training resources for child welfare Cross-walking protective capacities with protective factors Identifying key places to build in a protective factors approach across CW decision-making Partnering with states to build this agenda

How you can stay involved Upcoming webinar with the NRC for In- Home Services Get involved with your state SF efforts Join the SF mailing list

Nilofer Ahsan Center for the Study of Social Policy

Questions?