1. Traumatic Stress and Body Awareness: Helping Children Heal Kristina Konnath, LICSW Kathleen Guarino, LMHC NAEHCY Conference: Building Futures Through Education November 11 – 14, 2006

2. National Picture: Homeless Families 40% of homeless population (1) 1.35 million children a year (2) Histories of extreme violence Sources: 1- US Conference of Mayors. (2004). Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2004. 2 - Burt, M. & Aron, L. America’s Homeless II: Populations and Services (Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, 2000).

3. Families who are Homeless… 84% are female-headed. The average family is a mother with 2 young children. Racial/ethnic minorities are over-represented. 92% of mothers who are homeless experienced severe physical and/or sexual assault at some point in their lives. Stern, L.N. & Nunez, R. (1998). Ten Cities: A Snapshot of Family Homelessness Across America. New York: Homes for the Homeless & The Institute for Children and Poverty Bassuk, Weinreb, Buckner, et al., “The characteristics and needs of sheltered homeless and low-income housed mothers” Journal of the American Medical Association (1996: vol. 276, no. 8)

4. Children who are Homeless… 1.35 million children in a year Over 40% are under the age of 5 Within a single year: 97% move, 22% are separated from their families, 25% witness violence Burt, Aron, Douglas, et al. Homelessness: Programs and the People they Serve: Summary Report Findings of the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, 1999).

5. Mental Health Needs of Children who are Homeless These children have more mental health needs than other children. 20% of preschoolers have emotional problems that require professional care. 47% of school-age children have problems with anxiety, depression, or withdrawal. The National Center on Family Homelessness, Homeless Children: America’s New Outcasts (Newton, MA: 1999)

6. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com, 10/31/05www.flickr.com  An estimated one million Americans lost their homes  Thousands of evacuees in multiple states throughout the country

7. Poems, Pictures, and Other Great Stuff. (1996). Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Salem, Oregon.

8. What is Traumatic Stress? Overwhelming experience Involves a threat Results in vulnerability and loss of control Leaves people feeling helpless and fearful Interferes with relationships and beliefs Source: Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery. Basic Books. 1992.

9. Traumatic Events Loss of a loved one Accident School Violence Community Violence Domestic Violence Neglect Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Man-Made or Natural Disaster Terrorism

10. Responding to Traumatic Events The body's alarm system signals danger

11. Responding to Traumatic Events Fight Flight Freeze

12. Responding to Traumatic Events Triggers: Reminders of past traumatic events

13. Effects of Trauma Physical Emotional Academic Relational

14. Now What? Safety and Stabilization

15. Creating a Safe Environment Routines and Rituals Know your client - assessment Self-care for providers

16. Consumer Skill-Building Emotional regulation Identifying feelings Modulating feelings Expressing feelings Problem-Solving Self-Esteem

17. Long-Term Strategies Training Community Building Collaboration with outside agencies

18. The PEACH Initiative

19. Physical and Emotional Awareness for Children who are Homeless

20. Meet the OrganWise Guys ® !

21. The Curriculum Books Games Songs Activities

22. The PEACH Pilot 3 shelters, 3 times 30 different children Result: An easy-to-use, highly engaging curriculum specially adapted for children living in shelters.

23. Emotional Health

24. Healthy Fitness Break We love who we live in, so please take care of us! REFRAIN: 1,2,3,4. Come on, get up off the floor. 5,6,7,8. Move around and you’ll feel great. VERSES: 1. March in place and count to eight. Get your heart to a faster rate. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. 2. Give eight friends a big high-five. Gosh, it’s great to be alive! 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. 3. Take a deep breath and count to eight – something your lungs will appreciate! 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.

25. PEACH Helps Kids Safety and Stability Fun Health

26. PEACH Helps Parents Rare break Positive, fun way to help their child Emotional and physical health

27. PEACH Helps Organizations! Structured program Easy to implement Free materials

28. For More Information: Katie Volk National Center on Family Homelessness 617-964-3834 x20 katie.volk@familyhomelessness.org