Transcript Bricks and Mortar: Paving a Smooth Path in Promoting Early

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
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?
Systems of Care
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Child protection/welfare
Foster care
Adoption agencies
Early Intervention
– Occupational Therapy
– Physical Therapy
– Speech Therapy
– Developmental Therapy
• Behavioral Health (BHRS)
• Childcare
• Preschool
• Legal professionals/agencies
– CASA
– Legal Advocates/KidsVoice
– Legal Guardians/Attorneys
• Primary Care Providers
• Nurses
• Psychologists
• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Policy and Advocacy
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:_________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
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 relationshipbuilding among agencies within systems of care
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.”
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
Building Foundations
Tertiary
(intervention)
Secondary
(prevention)
Primary
(universal)
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
Young “Travelers”
• Participants’ stories of child travelers
• Additional children’s stories
Bumps in the Road
• Challenges present on the path for children in
“care”
– Individual child/family – related
– Systems – related
Systems of Care/Safety Net
• Multiple Systems
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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?
Group Activity
Road Paving Crew!
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?
Paving a Smooth Path
• Individual Child/Family Level
– What can we do to promote strong bonds?
– How can we promote strong foundations?
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Relationships
Routines
Transitions
Developmentally Appropriate Practices