1. Promoting Supported Childhood Conditions Colleen Yeakle, MSW Coordinator of Prevention Initiatives Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

2. Why Supported Childhood Conditions? “ The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable…” (NASW, 2008) Youth—less status, less power, fewer resources 22% of Indiana’s children are living in poverty (Kids Count Data Book, 2015) 44% of back children in Indiana are living in poverty 38% of Hispanic children in Indiana are living in poverty (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2013)

3. Why Supported Childhood Conditions?

4. Definitions: Primary Prevention Prevention is a systematic process that promotes safe and healthy environments and behaviors, reducing the likelihood or frequency of an incident, injury or condition occurring (Prevention Institute, 2007).

5. Culture and Violence Do we think that safe and respectful relationship behaviors are currently the easy/expected choice? IPV: 40% and 26% lifetime prevalence among Hoosier women and men respectively (NISVSS, 2011) Child maltreatment: 1 in 4 US children experience some form of child maltreatment in their lifetime (CDC, 2015) Youth violence – 29% of Indiana youth reported involvement in a physical fight within the past 12 months (YRBS, 2013) – 25% of Indiana youth report being bullied at school within the past 12 month period (YRBS, 2013)

6. What goes on around us, shapes us. “People’s brains develop in response to their environments” (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Institute, 2014)

7. ACES Adverse Childhood Experiences Study 1995-1997; 17,000 participants Adverse Childhood Experiences Defined as: Abuse – Physical – Emotional – Sexual Neglect – Physical – Emotional Household dysfunction – Mental illness – Mother treated violently – Incarcerated relative – Substance abuse – Divorce

8. ACES Adverse Childhood Experiences Study – As the number of ACES increases, the risk of the following health-related problems increases in a graded fashion: Alcoholism and alcohol abuse Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Depression Fetal death Health-related quality of life Illicit drug use Ischemic heart disease (IHD) Liver disease Risk for intimate partner violence Multiple sexual partners Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) Smoking Suicide attempts Unintended pregnancies Early initiation of smoking Early initiation of sexual activity Adolescent pregnancy

9. What about violence? Why do we think that an individual chooses to use violence? “There are experiences, particularly early in childhood, that make it extremely predictable that individuals are at substantially higher risk for involvement with violence, be it interpersonal, youth violence, intimate partner violence, dating violence or child abuse” (Howard Spivak, Director, Division of Violence Prevention, CDC, 2014)

10. Supported Childhood Conditions and Violence Prevention Theory of the problem Privilege Disadvantage Needs are met Community that shares a norm of connectedness is less tolerant of, and more responsive to abusive behavior.

11. Supported Childhood Conditions and Violence Prevention Where peoples’ needs are met, they are less likely to feel the need to exert power over others in their relationships – Therefore, potentially reducing IPV and other power-based forms of abuse like sexual violence, bullying, youth violence and child maltreatment Where respectful, nurturing relationship behaviors are modeled and normalized, communities will be less tolerant of abuse.

12. Why Supported Childhood Conditions?

13. SSNREs SSNREs= Safe, Stable and Nurturing Relationships and Environments Promote optimal youth development—physically, socially and emotionally Promote resilience among youth who have experiences of adversity Preventive of multiple forms of violence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014)

14. S SNREs Give me an S! S=Safety: The extent to which a child is free from fear and secure from physical or psychological harm within their social and physical environment. Relationships Neighborhoods – socially free from violence and discrimination – Safe environmental conditions including housing conditions, water quality, food security

15. S S NREs Give me another S! S=Stability The degree of predictability and consistency in a child’s social, emotional and physical environment. Relationship level--caregivers, routines, behavioral consequences Community level– affordable housing, reliable transportation, sustainable employment

16. SS N REs Give me an N! N=Nurturing The extent to which a parent or caregiver is available and able to sensitively and consistently respond to and meet the needs of their child. Relationship level—parents, peers, caregivers Community level—Affordable, quality childcare, great schools, youth service programs

17. SSN RE s Relationships Environments

18. The Evidence: Protective Factors Relationship Level—Family support-connectedness  Child maltreatment  Teen dating violence  Youth violence  Bullying  Suicide  Elder maltreatment (CDC, Prevention Institute, 2014)

19. The Evidence: Protective Factors Community Level— Community Support/Connectedness  Child maltreatment  Intimate partner violence  Sexual violence  Youth violence  Suicide  Elder maltreatment (CDC, Prevention Institute, 2014)

20. Example: has been investigated as a risk factor for these problems: Mental health General mental health Depression Stress Suicide Substance use Childhood Child development Conduct problems Resilience Sex/Reproduction Sexual risk behavior Paying for sex HIV & other STIs Pregnancy outcomes Teenage parenting Other Cognitive decline Disability Eye problems Infections Mortality Sleep Chronic diseases Asthma Blood pressure Cancer Cardiovascular disease Diabetes Kidney disease Obesity Stroke Crime-related problems Child abuse Delinquency Domestic violence Gun use Homicide Teen dating violence Workplace violence Violence (general)

21. A Key Takeaway Let’s get out of our silos and play in the hay!

22. Expanding and Institutionalizing SSNREs Going forward, we should ask: Where else? Who else? Broad interpretation of childhood conditions creates multiple avenues of opportunity—determine where it fits within your work. Expand the reach and ensure regular adoption

23. SSNREs in Practice Who else? Fathers and male caregivers

24. Skin to Skin Program Anticipated outcomes IndividualRelationshipOrganizationalCommunity Babies emotional and biological needs are met; immunity is increased Reduction in parental anxiety and increase in sense of efficacy for infant care Opportunity to reevaluate masculinity in the context of parenting Increase in bonding and the delivery of nurturing behaviors between infant and parent Increase in dad’s participation in infant care Reduction in maternal stress and parental conflict Reduction in child maltreatment Organizations adopt policies, practices and structures that are supportive of active parenting roles for fathers Increased expectation of and support for fathers taking active parenting roles Modification of traditional masculinity norms and fatherhood

25. SSNREs in Practice Safe Passage, Batesville, Indiana The 40 Developmental Assets Where else? Shelter Libraries Parks Schools Who else? Teenagers Men

26. SSNREs in Practice Hands of Hope, Marion, Indiana Where else? Organizational assessment and enhancement Service orgs, libraries, and… Interviews with staff and clients Who else? Coaches, players and fans Code of conduct Promotional video

27. Do It Yourself Strategies for enhancing SSNREs within your spheres of influence: Educate your colleagues about SSNREs Conduct an organizational audit to identify opportunities to increase SSNREs Look for opportunities to enhance and institutionalize SSNREs within your existing programs Identify ways to promote SSNREs in new programs Advocate for SSNREs with your: – funders, legislators, PTAs/PTOs, neighborhood associations, youth service agencies, schools, etc, etc

28. Do it Yourself! SSNRE Resources Raising of America documentary series. Get the scoop at: http://www.raisingofamerica.org/ http://www.raisingofamerica.org/ – Societal/policy level focus The Essentials for Childhood, CDC. Articles and fact sheets can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childmaltreatment/essentials.html http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childmaltreatment/essentials.html – Community/norms focus The Strengthening Families Framework, the Center for the Study of Social Policy. Organizational assessment tools and resources can be found at: http://www.cssp.org/reform/strengtheningfamilies http://www.cssp.org/reform/strengtheningfamilies – Organizational focus Indiana Early Childhood Family Engagement Toolkit, the Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee. Recommendations and organizational assessment tools can be found at: https://secure.in.gov/fssa/files/FamilyEngagementToolkit_Final.pdf https://secure.in.gov/fssa/files/FamilyEngagementToolkit_Final.pdf – Focus on families and organizations The 40 Developmental Assets, the Search Institute. Asset promoting info available at: http://www.search-institute.org/what-we-study/developmental-assetshttp://www.search-institute.org/what-we-study/developmental-assets – Relationship focus

29. Questions going forward Contact Colleen: cyeakle@icadvinc.org 317.917.3685