homelessness is an early childhood crisis babies, brains and bridges nancy a. hubley, esq. education...
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HOMELESSNESS IS
AN
EARLY
CHILD
HOOD CRIS
IS
Babies, Brains and Bridges
Nancy A. Hubley, Esq.Education Law Center
www.elc-pa.org
Nicole AndersonEducating Children and Youth
Experiencing Homelessness Initiative
November 2013
Inte
ragen
cy S
trat
egie
s fo
r Chan
ge
NAEHCY C
onfe
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– Atla
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013
SESSION OVERVIEW
Babies
*Importance of “relationship – in all of our work
Brains:
* Importance of “now” – brain research
Bridges:
* Importance of rights and responsibilities
across service systems
TRUE / FALSE:
SHARING WHAT WE KNOW
HOMELESSNESS - DEFINED
Same definition child serving federal laws
“lack a fixed, regular, adequate night time residence”
McKinney-Vento (access to
preschool)
Head Start (eligible; priority; plan)
IDEA – Parts B and C (find, EI & FAPE)
Your state law: does it include young children experiencing homeless?
• Homeless children are entitled to a free appropriate public education, including a preschool education. [§ 721(1)]
• Homeless children must have equal access to the same public preschool programs, administered by the State agency, as provided to other children in the State. [§ 722(g)(i)(F)(i)]
• LEAs must provide students in homeless situations with transportation services comparable to those provided to other students. [§ 722(g)]
MVA: RIGHT TO ACCESS PRESCHOOL
MVA: STATE RESPONSIBILITIES
State Coordinators: must coordinate with social services agencies, child development, preschool program personnel and other agencies to provide comprehensive services to preschoolers [§722(f)(4) and (5)(A)]
Homeless liaisons: must ensure children expereincing homelessness, receive educational services for which they are eligible, including Head Start, Even Start programs and preschool programs administered by the LEA. [§722(g)(6)]
EARLY INTERVENTION MANDATES
States Must:
1. Locate, identify and evaluate children experiencing homelessness
2. Make EI services available
3. Ensure appropriate EI services are based on scientifically based research.
4. Ensure the meaningful involvement families experiencing homelessness in planning and implementation of Part C
5. Include a representative of the State’s McKinney Vento Coordinator in the SIC
BABIES
• Babies are Infants, toddlers and preschool children under age 6
40-55% of all children experiencing homelessness
• Young children come accompanied by an adult – “in relationship”
Most often with single mother, fleeing domestic violence
• Increasing research focuses on importance of adult-child
relationship
Strength of relationship is critical to all future learning
THROUGH THE EYES OF THE LITTLEST RESIDENTS
HOMELESS MOTHERS: CHALLENGES
o Single, late 20’so 2 young childreno Multi-generational povertyo Parental neglect; childhood abuseo Domestic and community violenceo Limited educationo Barriers to employmento Unhappy relationshipso Frequent health problems
David, et. al, 2012
More likely to experience health problems
Now and later (Adverse childhood experiences - ACE)
Environmental conditions (e.g., 2X more likely EBLLs)
Higher use of emergency room services
At greater risk for major developmental delays
4x the rate of physical developmental delays
3x the rate of emotional/behavioral problems
2x the rate of learning disabilities
IMPACT OF HOMELESSNESS
MORE IMPACT - EMOTIONAL
High rates of parent-child separation 22% separated from families
High rates of exposure to trauma, transition, and abuse
More likely to exhibit extreme emotional distress
BRAINS OF BABIES
• Poets and romantics – “the celestial openness of a child’s mind”
• Critical window of opportunity for development – prenatal and beyond
700 new new neural connections formed every second – first days!
Capacity for change decreases with age (e.g. 2nd language?)
• Babies remember!• Even before birth - (e.g. recognize mother’s voice;
Dr. Seuss)• Brains remember beyond a “photograph” of an event • Environment = stable or fragile foundation for
healthy development
• Early childhood experiences – matter for a life time!
• Plasticity means it is easier and more effective to influence the developing brain in early childhood
• Stable, nurturing, responsive relationships in early childhood can prevent and REVERSE harmful effects of stress and improve learning, behavior, and health
• Toddlers with secure, trusting relationships with caregivers experience minimal stress hormone activation when frightened
BRAINS – WHAT WE KNOW
ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACE)
o Study: Large investigation into the associations between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being
o Findings: Certain experiences are major risk factors for the leading causes of illness and death as well as poor quality of life in the United States
o Conclusion: Many of the worst health and social problems are consequences of adverse childhood experiences.
MAJOR FINDINGS
Adults with ACE scores of 4 or higher were:o 2x as likely to be smokers than those with 0 ACEso 7x more likely to be alcoholico 10x more likely to hav`e injected street drugso 12x more likely to have attempted suicideo Various increased rates of early death from
leading diseases – less likely to reach age 65
> 4 “ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES”….
More likely to experience health problems
Higher use of emergency room services
Sick 4 x’s more often (respiratory, ear infections, gastrointestinal)
At greater risk for major developmental delays
4x the rate of physical developmental delays
3x the rate of emotional/behavioral problems
2x the rate of learning disabilities
MORE INFORMATION:
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study:
http://www.acestudy.org/home
“The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress” - Pediatrics – The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2012)
Research shows early learning experiences:• Make a difference in a child’s brain and life
outcomes
• Offer positive experiences with peers
• Offer positive, stable, nurturing adults
• Support positive parenting and parent/child relationships
• Connect families with schools, agencies, and services
• Screen and address developmental delays and disabilities
RIGHT TO EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES - WHY DOES IT MATTER?
“An environment of stable, stimulating, and protective relationships
builds a strong foundation for a lifetime
of effective learning.”
Dr. Jack Shonkoff,
Protecting Brains, not Simply Stimulating Minds
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
Improved adult–child interaction can produce:
• Improved physical growth• Enhanced mental development• Improved health • Better behavioral development
USING WHAT WE KNOW TO CREATE CHANGEYoung children without homes are at high risk.
Quality early education programs and stable relationships can be protective and enriching.
We need to connect more children experiencing homelessness to stable, stimulating and protective relationships at home and in early ed programs
CROSS-SYSTEM SOLUTIONSMULTI-SYSTEM CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
WITH COMPLEX NEEDS
o Head Start & Early Head Starto Child Careo IDEAo Early Intervention Serviceso State Pre-Kindergarten Programso Other Early Care and Education
Partners
BRIDGES COLLABORATIVE: MISSION
“We think broadly and deeply about meeting the needs of children birth to five who reside in shelters, doubled up situations, or who lack housing that is fixed, regular, or adequate
We aspire to be a catalyst for change and alignment among systems to improve developmental outcomes and resilience of these vulnerable young children and their families
We share responsibility and work collaboratively to create a culture that supports and nurtures cross-system and innovative state and local policies, practices, and resources that promote resiliency and school success for young children experiencing homelessness.”
BRIDGES – IMPACT ON STATE POLICY
State Task Force: (Act 123) Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (July 5, 2012)
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM2012/0/0123.htm
(First) State Policy: (OCDEL 13-#01)Young Children Experiencing Homelessness (May 9, 2013) ra-
WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR STATE?
• Does your state have an early education policy for young children exp. Homelessness?
• Does your state include preschool children 3-5 in education initiatives regarding homelessness?
• How are your state and local homeless liaisons doing to reach out to early education providers? Early Intervention? Head Start? To work with Child care subsidy programs?
STRATEGIES FOR EARLY CHILDHOODPROVIDERS
o Keep slots open for homeless studentso Provide awareness training and collaborate with early care
and community preschools o Coordinate with IDEA EI Providers for Child Findo Know your district’s identified Homeless Liaisons. Provide
enrollment forms and informational brochures, send flyers home in backpacks of school-aged students
o Invite McKinney-Vento Coordinators and/or District Liaisons to serve on Advisory Councils, Boards, Community Assessments
o Pool resources to provide cross-training
STRATEGIES FOR IDENTIFYING PRE-K HOMELESS CHILDREN
Partner with family shelters to identify young children
Partner with faith-based groups and other who serve children in poverty and do outreach
Develop community awareness of McKinney-Vento eligibility and rights to access preschool programs, including early intervention.
Nancy A. Hubley, Esq.Pittsburgh Director
Education Law Center429 Fourth Avenue
Suite 702Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Nicole AndersonRegion 4 CoordinatorEducation for Children
and Youth Experiencing
Homelessness Program
Pittsburgh, PA 15120
CONTACT US:
A NOTE OF APPRECIATION
The creation of this presentation is a culmination of the collaborative
efforts of the following:Education Law Center
University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development
PA Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program
(Region 4)