Transcript Document

School Readiness for Babies in
Foster Care: Working Across
Systems to Help the Youngest
Children Succeed
November 4, 2011
ZERO TO THREE’s Mission
To help professionals,
policy makers and
parents to promote the
healthy development
of infants and
toddlers.
Sarah Merrill
Federal Laws Related to Educating Young Children
Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing
Adoptions Act of 2008
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, 2010
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004
Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation
Act (2011)
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
The reauthorization of CAPTA in 2003
New eligibility requirements for States
including:
Provisions to refer children under age
three who are involved in a substantiated
case of child maltreatment to early
intervention services under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) Part C
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
CAPTA
2003 Keeping Families Safe Act Amendments
Policies and procedures (including appropriate referrals to child protection service systems and for other
appropriate services) to address the needs of infants born and identified as affected by illegal
substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure , including a
requirement that health care providers involved in the delivery or care of such infants notify the child
protective services system of the occurrence of such condition in such infants, except that such
notification shall not be construed to (I) establish a definition under Federal law of what constitutes child
abuse; or (II) require prosecution for any illegal action (section 106(b)(2)(A)(ii));
2010 Amendments
(ii) policies and procedures (including appropriate referrals to child protection service systems and for other
appropriate services) to address the needs of infants born and identified as being affected by illegal substance
abuse, withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders,
suspected FASD, or levels of exposure to alcohol that place them at risk for FASD including a
requirement that health care providers involved in the delivery or care of such infants notify the child protective
services system of the occurrence of such condition of such infants, except that such notification shall not be
construed to—
I) establish a definition under Federal law of what constitutes child abuse; or
(II) require prosecution for any illegal action.
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Children from birth to five:
•
•
•
•
Newborns can’t suck.
Increased risk for failure to thrive.
Missed developmental milestones.
Constant ear infections which can
lead to partial or total hearing loss.
• Prone to temper tantrums.
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
•
•
•
•
•
Impulse control issues that lead to:
Irritability
Aggression
Episodes of rage
Promiscuity
• A lot of time spent in the principal’s office, in in-school
detention, suspension, and ultimately expulsion if their
aberrant behavior is dangerous enough.
• Delinquent acts as adolescents that turn into repeated
offenses as they age, escalating the legal
consequences with each arrest.
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
FASD Secondary Symptoms
•Fatigue
•Anxiety
•Aggressiveness
•Destructiveness
•Social isolation
•Family
•or school problems
•(fighting, suspension,
expulsion)
•Trouble with the law
•Depression
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
IDEA Part C
Congress established this program in 1986 in recognition
of "an urgent and substantial need" to:
• enhance the development of infants and toddlers with
disabilities
• reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for
special education through early intervention
• minimize the likelihood of institutionalization
• maximize independent living
• enhance the capacity of families to meet their child's
needs.
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Early Experiences Matter
We are all a product of our earliest experiences.
Veer
Adverse Childhood Experiences
•Recurrent physical
abuse
•Recurrent emotional
abuse
•Contact sexual abuse
•Emotional neglect
•Physical neglect
•An alcohol and/or drug
abuser in the household
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
•An incarcerated
household member
•A member of the
household who is
chronically depressed,
mentally ill,
institutionalized, or
suicidal
•Mother is treated
violently
•One or no parents
Adverse Childhood Experiences Linked to:
•Teen pregnancy
•Sexual behavior
•Alcoholism
•Stability of
relationships
•Risk of
revictimization
•Mental health
•Suicide attempts
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
•The more
troubling the
childhood, the
greater the
number and
severity of
medical and
psychological
conditions in
adulthood.
Brain Develops Early
(Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2007)
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Infant Mental Health
The developing capacity of the
child to:
• Experience, regulate and express
emotion
• Form close and secure
relationships
• Explore the environment and learn
Within the context of family,
community, and cultural
expectations for young
children
Photo: Comstock
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Benefits of Early Investments
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reductions in:
juvenile and adult crimes
cases of abuse and neglect
domestic violence
welfare dependency
special education, grade retention, and remediation services
•
•
•
•
•
Increases in:
children’s cognitive and social-emotional development
educational performance and graduation rates
parental involvement
job training and earnings
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Impact of Trauma on Infants, Toddlers, and Families
• Maltreatment and
exposure to violence
affect:
• Brain development
• The immune system
• Emotional regulation
• Attachment and other
relationships
• Ability to learn
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Healthy vs. Abused Brain
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Abuse and Neglect of Infants and Toddlers
• One in 50 U.S. infants experiences non-fatal abuse or
neglect during their first year; one-third of that
maltreatment occurs during the first week of life.
• 81% of all child maltreatment fatalities.
• Children under three = 1/3 of all children entering foster
care.
• 50-60% of children in foster care are developmentally
delayed, many so delayed that pediatricians consider
them developmentally impaired.
• The vast majority of young children in foster care have
prenatal exposure to maternal alcohol and/or drugs.
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Trauma for infants and toddlers in foster care
• Difficult experiences precipitating placement
• Separation from parents, usually sudden and
traumatic
• Placement with a series of caregivers
• Very little contact with parents after placement
Frequently leads to temporary or
permanent impairment in all areas of
development
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
How Young Children Learn
• In the context of
nurturing relationships
• In the every day
activities that allow them
to explore their
environment
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE
Contacts
Lucy Hudson
Director
Court Teams for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers Project
ZERO TO THREE
[email protected]
202-857-2629 (office)
202-246-1276 (cell)
Copyright © 2010 by ZERO TO THREE