strengthening families in your early care and education program

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strengthening families in your early care and
education program
C E N T E R F O R
T H E S T U D Y O
F S O C I A L P O
L I C Y
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In the beginning, CSSP was seeking a strategic,
feasible approach to child abuse prevention that
was

• systematic,
• national,
• could reach large numbers of very young children,
  and

• would have an impact long before abuse or neglect
  occur

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Our hypothesis was that early care and education
programs could be central because they offer

• Daily contact with parents and children
• Uniquely intimate relationship with families
• A universal approach of positive encouragement
  and education for families
• An early warning and response system at the first
  sign of trouble

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The CSSP Process grounded in extensive research
Step 1 Search the evidence to find out what
factors really reduce child abuse and
neglectStep 2 Explore the connection between
factors that prevent child abuse and neglect and
what quality early childhood programs do to build
themStep 3 Identify programs that build the
factors and learn how they do it
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protective factors
parental resilience
what strategies do quality ECE programs use to
help families as well as children?
social connections
CAN prevention and optimal development
knowledge of parenting and child development
concrete supports in times of need
social and emotional competence of children
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Parental Resilience

• Psychological health parents feel supported and
  able to solve problems can develop trusting
  relationships with others and reach out for help
• Parents who did not have positive childhood
  experiences or who are in troubling circumstances
  need extra support and trustworthy relationships

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Social Connections

• Relationships with extended family, friends,
  co-workers, other parents with children of
  similar ages
• Positive community norms about parenting and
  families
• Mutual assistance networks child care, emotional
  support, concrete help

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Knowledge of parenting and child development

• Basic information about how children develop
• Basic techniques of helping children develop,
  dealing with challenging behaviors
• Alternatives to parenting behaviors experienced
  as a child
• Help with challenging children

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Concrete Support in Times of Need

• Response to a crisis food, shelter, clothing
• Assistance with daily needs health care,
  education, job opportunities
• Services for parents depression and other mental
  health issues, domestic violence, substance
  abuse
• Specialized services for children

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Social Emotional Development

• Connection between normal development and
  positive parent child interaction
• Appropriate adult response to challenging
  behaviors, traumatic experiences or when
  development is not on track
• What classroom learning sends home to families

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how do early childhood programs contribute to
prevention of child abuse and neglect?
program strategies
protective factors
Facilitate friendships and mutual
support Strengthen Parenting Respond to Family
Crises Link Families to Services and
Opportunities Value and Support
Parents Facilitate Childrens Social and
Emotional Development Observe and respond to
early warning signs of abuse or neglect
parental resilience
social connections
CAN prevention and optimal development
knowledge of parenting and child development
concrete supports in times of need
social and emotional competence of children
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CAN Prevention
Protective Factors
Program Strategies
Program Components
Early Childhood Infrastructure
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• Parental Resilience
• Social Connections
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
• Concrete support in times of need
• Social and Emotional Competence of children

CAN Prevention
Protective Factors
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• Value and support parents
• Facilitate
• childrens social emotional development
• Observe and respond to early warning signs of CAN

• Facilitate friendships and mutual support
• Strengthen parenting
• Respond to family crises
• Help families get what they need

CAN Prevention
Protective Factors
Program Strategies
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• Mental health consultation
• Parent education
• Family support
• Physical space
• Home visiting
• Social emotional programming

CAN Prevention
Protective Factors
Program Strategies
Program Components
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• Staff training and Support
• Linkages with other agencies
• Strong relationship with CW
• Parent Involvement

CAN Prevention
Protective Factors
Program Strategies
Program Components
Early Childhood Infrastructure
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Program elements

• Family Support
• Family Support Workers
• Parenting Supports
• Home Visiting
• Social Emotional Strategies
• Conflict resolution curricula
• Arts programs
• Diversity affirmation
• Mental Health Consultation

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Staffing

• Leadership that shares power
• Clear parent leadership roles
• Flexibility in staff roles
• Decentralized management
• Shared sense of mission
• Focus on Capacity Building
• Internal training and mentoring
• Local hiring
• Team based Approach
• Team staffing
• Regular meetings
• Structured communication

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Relationships

• Use of Space to welcome parents
• Observation Areas
• Dedicated Parent Space
• Outreach to Men
• Strong relationship with child protection agency
• Relationships with other agencies and services
• Networks, collaboratives, partnerships

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resources available to your program

• Strengthening Families Guidebook includes
  information about the research behind
  Strengthening Families and exemplary programs, as
  well as the Self Assessment
• Self Assessment a tool to help you evaluate what
  you are already doing to build Protective Factors
  with families and where you can make small but
  significant changes to enhance your program you
  are encouraged to fill out the Self Assessment
  online at
• www.strengtheningfamilies.net tools,
  presentations, handouts, message boards, training
  listings, and much, much more

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Parents Say
I got referred to the program because I whacked
my child. Before I used to beat her up like there
was no tomorrow but now I don't.
I dont know how staff does it, but you know you
can go to them with any issue and theyll be
professional and it will stay with them
I find strength from the unconditional support
and non-threatening environment here.
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The Bottom Line

• Using early childhood education to prevent child
  abuse is
• A bold and promising departure from conventional
  prevention strategies
• Supported by both early childhood professionals
  and child abuse prevention advocates
• More than a collection of good program
  components. Success hinges on the quality of
  relationships

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I used to be argumentative and my grandbabys
really calmed me downits what she learns in the
classroom that has made the difference
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Early care and education programs can serve
several critical roles for young parents 

• as a primary source of information and support
  for young families
• as a gateway to outside services or supports such
  as health or mental health services,
  transportation, and even education, housing and
  jobs. 
• as the key early warning system when families or
  children are in trouble.

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This has really helped memy child is really
hyper and theyve taught me a lot of patience and
how to handle it.
It really motivates the child to bring out the
best in the parent
My sense that I have other people I can depend
on here is great. Thats huge.
Im learning new ways to set boundariesit makes
me go back home and behave differently with her
(my daughter) to reinforce what theyre
teaching.
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What your Program can do

• Use the self-assessment to identify areas for
  practice enhancement
• Build effective linkages with child welfare
  agencies and child abuse prevention advocates
• Educate others on the role early care and
  education can play in child abuse and neglect
  prevention

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I didnt realize how hard being a mom was. Pat
the home visitor was like a breath of fresh
airshe gave me ideas for crafts and things that
I could do with my baby. When I talk to moms in
other countys who dont have this support I
realize how lucky we are.
Of all the encounters Ive had since Ive been
in this community this is the place where I
feel the most safe, the most comfortable and the
most welcome.
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Center for the Study of Social Policy1575 Eye
Street, NW, Suite 500Washington, DC 20005 tel
[phone]fax [phone] www.cssp.org