Using a Protective Factors Framework to Build

ECE/CW collaboration

Nilofer AhsanNovember 2011

What we know about the developmental needs of young kids in

CW• Early attachment is a basic building block

for many aspects of early development• Early childhood trauma can have a

cascading impact on ongoing development• One aspect of the impact of trauma is that it

impacts behavior• Protective factors are important and can

buffer and mitigate the impacts of trauma• Most children will return or stay with their

biological parents

Therefore…..

• Young children in CW will need particular focus on their developmental needs

• Developmental supports for these children must be informed by an understanding of the impact of trauma on development

• We also need to think intentionally about how to support the capacity of families to keep children safe and support their early development

Therefore…..A four point agenda• Ensure that young children in CW are

connected to quality ECE programs and other developmental supports

• Build the capacity in ECE programs to work with and support development for children who have experienced trauma

• Build the capacity in CW to recognize and respond to the development needs of young children

• Support the capacity of ECE programs and CW to build protective factors to strengthen families

Federal priorities around ECE/CW linkages

• Requirement for collaboration between HS and CW

• ACYF and Child Care Bureau Memorandum encouraging collaboration

• ACYF’s new focus on well-being• Overarching push for collaboration at the

federal level• Requirements around Part C

What we know: Families thrive when protective factors are

robust in their lives and communities

FIVE PROTECTIVE FACTORS

PARENTAL RESILIENCE

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

KNOWLEDGE of PARENTING and CHILD DEVELOPMENT

CONCRETE SUPPORT in TIMES of NEED

SOCIAL and EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE of CHILDREN

ALIGNING RESULTS FOR FAMILIES

ID

AZ

UT

MT

WY

NM

CO

AL

FL

SC

TN

KY

INOH

NC

SD

KS

NE

MN

WI

IA

IL

MO

AR

MS

OK

ND

OR

CA NV

WA

TX

WV

PA

ME

VA

NY

LA

GA

MI

M D

AK

D C

NH

HI

VT

MA

RICT

NJ

DE

Strengthening Fam ilies National Netw ork

FEDERAL PARTNERSAdministration for Children, Youth and Families: Children’s Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect

Administration on Children and Families, Office of Child Care and Office of Head Start

Maternal and Child Health Bureau (ECCS)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), local Project Launch sites

Department of Defense, New Parents Program and Family Advocacy Program

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES NATIONAL NETWORK

LEVERS FOR IMPLEMENTING AND SUSTAINING

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

•Integration into policies and systems

•Professional development

•Real parent partnerships

How SF states are working with Child Welfare

AK CT IL MA ME MI MO NC NH NJ PA TN

Protective Factors are being integrated into training for child welfare workers:

x x x x x x

Strengthening Families is becoming part of the child welfare practice model

x x x x x x x

Protective factors are being integrated into child welfare assessment tools

x x x x x x x

New partnerships are being formed between child welfare and early care and education programs using Strengthening Families

x x x x x x x x x

Child welfare provides significant funding for state Strengthening Families work

x x x

EC/CW linkages other directions

• Learning from states already doing this work

• Working across states to develop training resources for child welfare

• Cross-walking protective capacities with protective factors

• Identifying key places to build in a protective factors approach across CW decision-making

• Partnering with states to build this agenda

How you can stay involved

• Upcoming webinar with the NRC for In-Home Services

• Get involved with your state SF efforts• Join the SF mailing list

www.strengtheningfamilies.net

Nilofer AhsanCenter for the Study of Social Policy

nilofer.ahsan@cssp.org

Questions?