1. ECE/CW collaboration for children in In-Home care Nilofer Ahsan November 2011

2. Federal priorities around ECE/CW linkages Requirement for collaboration between HS and CW ACYF and Child Care Bureau Memorandum encouraging collaboration Overarching push for collaboration at the federal level Requirements around Part C Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-34)

3. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Early Childhood as a Critical Period

4. 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 Neglect or trauma in early childhood can have a cascading impact on ongoing development Protective factors are important and can buffer and mitigate the impacts of trauma Most children will return or stay with their biological parents

5. 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

6. 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

7. Hope Through Action Using what we know from developmental science to change what we do for vulnerable babies

8. A systematic focus on infants, toddlers, and their families Built on Five Guiding Principles: Decisions guided by knowledge of child development Stable, caring relationships Early intervention services Family and community partnerships Services informed by ongoing data & research

9. 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

13. 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

14. www.strengtheningfamilies.net Nilofer Ahsan Center for the Study of Social Policy nilofer.ahsan@cssp.org

15. Questions?