September 2013

Module 6 What have we learned? Informing child welfare

Module 6 Learning Objectives Participants will: Summarize the key points of early brain development Explain why there is great urgency to pay attention early on to young children in child welfare - and what the payoffs are when we do Identify “opportunities” for applying concepts of early development throughout the key events in dependency

What have we learned? We have learned a lot from the science on development, including that it begins early (prenatally); there are optimal time periods for development; stress can harm development; and relationships can buffer development There is an urgency for addressing this issue and the payoffs are critical Understanding early development needs to be applied to our child welfare practices and policies across the key events in the dependency system

What does the science tell us?

It tells us that the brain is not fully developed at birth and the prenatal period matters

… that there are optimal and sensitive periods for development

… and that persistent stress, maltreatment and deprivation of experiences can harm the developing brain

We know that primary caregivers are the center of baby's emotional universe … even those adults we might consider inadequate parents

… and how nurturing relationships can buffer stress and heal loss

We’ve learned … How rapidly normal children can deteriorate when separated from important relationships

And that like Billy, most maltreated children have developmental problems

There are many evidence-based interventions and resources that can help children like Billy to thrive

Enriched environments and targeted supports can significantly improve children’s outcomes

We’ve learned that, really, it’s all based in relationships... Brain development Dealing with stress Learning to self-regulate Nurturing and attachment Development Repair and healing

Why the urgency? Adverse Childhood Experiences Something happens between infancy and adulthood to create a lifetime of addictions, abuse and mental health problems.

“The child welfare system must deliver effective interventions that facilitate healing and recovery. With the right tools and capacity, child welfare systems can identify the complex needs of maltreated children & deliver targeted, evidence-based services that help young people overcome the social and emotional impact of abuse and neglect.” Bryan Samuels, Former Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families Investments now can make all the difference in their future

What is the payoff? Investment in children under 3 can produce significant long-term results. Heckman and Masterov, The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children, October 2004.

Early financial investment is critical “Dollars spent on a child before age 5 produce a higher economic benefit than if the same amount were spent when the child is older.” Heckman and Masterov, The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children, October 2004.

Adapted from: Chetty, R. Friedman, J., Hilger, N., Saez, Emmanuel, Schanzenback, D. & Yagan, D. (2010) Kindergarten scores predict future earnings

Kindergarten scores predict college attendance 21 Adapted from: Chetty, R. Friedman, J., Hilger, N., Saez, Emmanuel, Schanzenback, D. & Yagan, D. (2010)

Kindergarten scores predict home ownership 22 Adapted from: Chetty, R. Friedman, J., Hilger, N., Saez, Emmanuel, Schanzenback, D. & Yagan, D. (2010)

How can the science of early childhood better inform key events in dependency? Removal and placement Case planning Court appearances Visitation and family time Reunification, adoption or termination

How can the science of early childhood better inform key events in dependency? Removal and Placement

Removal and Placement Potential Opportunities Talk to families about their importance in promoting early childhood and brain development Unless unsafe, keep familiar objects/blankets/toys with the child

How can your knowledge of early childhood better inform placement and case planning? How can we reduce stress and increase security? Case Planning

Case Planning Potential Opportunities Identify relationship-based supports for caregivers and birth parents Ensure access to high-quality care and education opportunities Address caregiver mental health (including trauma histories for both resource and birth parents) Support regular family team meetings

How can your knowledge of early childhood better inform court hearings and appearances? How can we reduce stress and increase security? Court Appearances

Court Appearances Potential Opportunities Engage judicial leaders as catalysts for change Create a child/baby friendly court environment Support more frequent permanency hearings – 6 months is half of an infant’s life and during this time, 16 million synapses are formed

How can your knowledge of early childhood better inform visitation and family time? How can we reduce stress and increase security? Visitation and Family Time

Visitation and Family Time Potential Opportunities First visits within 48 hours of removal when possible Prepare resource and birth parents for visits and provide supports after visits Visitation and parenting coaches

How can your knowledge of early childhood better inform reunification or termination proceedings? Reunification, Adoption or Termination

Reunification, Adoption or Termination Potential Opportunities Fully-supported, mindfully-paced transitions between caregivers Clear post-permanency plans to ensure that children continue to receive services to meet health, mental health and developmental needs

How can we do these 3 simple things: Reduce stress? Increase trust and security? Improve well-being?

Who can help?

Activity For the culminating activity, you will be assigned to one of the following groups. In your group, you will have 30 minutes to develop a set of recommendations that will help families reduce stress, increase trust and security and improve well- being for each of these stages of the process: Group 1: Removal and placement Group 2: Case planning Group 3: Court appearance Group 4: Visitation and family time Group 5: Reunification, adoption and termination

Summary and Sharing: What can we do? Removal and placement Case planning Court appearance Visitation and family time Reunification, adoption and termination