1. Bricks and Mortar: Paving a Smooth Path in Promoting Early Relationships with Children Across Systems of Service Delivery
Kristen F. Schaffner, MSEd, PhD Candidate
Dianne Jandrasits, PsyD
Lindsey G. Venesky, MSEd, PhD Candidate
Kimberly Blair, PhD
Matilda Theiss Child Development Center
of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC

2. Introduction Audience Poll
Please take a moment to introduce yourself to others around you.
In which organization, agency, or system do you work?
What is your role within that system?
What is the mission or identity of your agency/organization?

3. Systems of Care Child protection/welfare Legal professionals/agencies
Foster care
CASA
Adoption agencies
Legal Advocates/KidsVoice
Early Intervention
Legal Guardians/Attorneys
Occupational Therapy
Primary Care Providers
Physical Therapy
Nurses
Speech Therapy
Psychologists
Developmental Therapy
Counselors
Behavioral Health (BHRS)
Social Workers
Childcare
Policy and Advocacy
Preschool

4. Overarching Goal
Although each system has a unique identity and role within the system of care for young children, we all have an overarching, common goal.
Goal:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Learning Objectives Through today’s presentation, participants will:
Gain knowledge of the current empirical base (research) and applications of research findings regarding the importance of early attachment
Gain knowledge of the current empirical base (research) and applications of research findings regarding protective factors for children faced with obstacles (trauma) in early development
Learn strategies to promote development of strong bonds for children supported by systems of care, with their caregiver(s)
Acquire resources and information to promote relationship-building among agencies within systems of care

6. How Theory Impacts Practice
Agree or Disagree? “Babies are too young to understand things that are happening to them. We shouldn’t talk about it. What they don’t know won’t hurt them. They won’t remember any of this.” “All children really need is food in their bellies, a roof over their head, and someone to love them.”

7. Empirical Foundations
Research regarding attachment and how children develop through relationship
Child brain development research
Research regarding traumatic experience and impact on development
“Hidden trauma”
Prolonged stress/Chronic, Type II trauma
Research regarding protective factors and resiliency in young children

8. Tertiary (intervention)
Building Foundations
Tertiary (intervention)
Secondary (prevention)
Primary (universal)

9. Building Strong Foundations for Children in Care
Primary
Strong relationships, safety, food, shelter, clothing, regular routines, developmentally-supportive activities, caregivers involved in education, communication among caregivers/providers/agencies/systems
Secondary
Social skills curriculum/violence prevention program, transportation, legal advocates
Tertiary
Mental health services, therapeutic foster care

10. Young “Travelers” Participants’ stories of child travelers
Additional children’s stories

11. Bumps in the Road
Challenges present on the path for children in “care”
Individual child/family – related
Systems – related

12. Systems of Care/Safety Net
Multiple Systems
Legal
Child Protection/Welfare
Mental Health
Education, Medical
Multiple Agencies
Multiple Missions/Identities/Perspectives
Relationships Among Agencies
Bumps in the road inadvertently created through care
How might we pave a smoother path for children?

13. Group Activity
Road Paving Crew!

14. Paving a Smooth Path
Systems Level: How will we create a relationship – informed sytem?
Service providers across systems: how will we recognize research findings to develop and implement policies, programs, interventions which promote and enhance early relationships?
How might we increase communication and collaboration among agencies to fill in any potholes in the road to a promising future?

15. Paving a Smooth Path Individual Child/Family Level
What can we do to promote strong bonds?
How can we promote strong foundations?
Relationships
Routines
Transitions
Developmentally Appropriate Practices