The Impact of Early Childhood Education on the Success of Transformational Housing NAEHYC National Conference Denver, C

1. The Impact of Early Childhood Education on the Success of Transformational HousingNAEHYC National ConferenceDenver, ColoradoNovember 16, 2009

2. What is Self-Sufficiency? State of not requiring financial assistance to meet basic needs: • Shelter • Food • Clothing • Medical expenses • Transportation expenses

3. Obstacles to Self-Sufficiency • Lack of affordable housing • High unemployment • Low minimum wage • High cost of childcare • High cost of medical services • Lack of knowledge of community resources • “Cliff Effect”

4. What Is the Cliff Effect? • Small increase in earnings can lead to a sharp reduction in benefits • Benefits are lost in stages, so families face several “cliffs” while building self-sufficiency

5. Denver County Example

6. What Is Transformational Housing? • Subsidized housing plus support services • Framework of choice, setting goals, support, and helping yourself and others • Collaboration between departments • Incorporate volunteers

7. Requirements 18 years or older Expecting single adults Single parents with kids No felony in past 7 years No misdemeanor in past 5 years No outstanding evictions Supports Staff modeling a positive relationship with landlord Involved in supporting family on their journey Works with family to avoid eviction Housing

8. Requirements Full time activity Life skills classes Volunteer in the community Work with advocate to set goals Utilize quality child care Supports Family Advocate Life Skills Career Development/Education Community Support Family Services

9. Characteristics of Parent in Poverty • Single parent • Eager to meet needs of child before themselves • Barriers: underemployment, poor health, mental health treatment, lack of education, bad credit • Growing population: Refugee families • English language skills • Unfamiliarity with American culture

10. Warren Village Examples • Career Workshop (Employment) • CCAP Help Clinic (Childcare) • Financial Class (Life Skills) • How to Make Every Kid Smarter (Parenting) • L.E.A.D. (Community) • Healthy Beginnings (Medical) • Floor Meetings & Family Night (Social) • Honoring Evening (Recognition)

11. Community Building & Incentives • Volunteer choices • Floor Meetings • LEAD • Honoring Evening • Millionaire’s Pampering • Holiday Shop • Residents giving back by telling their stories • Creating healthy relationships and breaking through destructive cultures

12. Child Care • Early childhood education • Safe place for children • Breaks the cycle of chaos • School ready • Life skills like sharing, taking turns, etc. • Developmental assessments • Engage parents through PTAT

13. Early Childhood Education • 135 children, 6 weeks to 12 years • Diversity: residents, alumni and community children • Provides breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack • Classrooms have development and age appropriate focus

14. Children: Education & Programming • Family Services & the Learning Center • Working with local schools & school district • Kids’ Club • Partnerships: Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Other Side Arts, Mizel museum • After school programs: keyboard lessons, tutoring, martial arts • Evolving nature of program • Summer programming

15. Channels of Communication Child Advocate Parent Teacher

16. Transformational Housing Principles • Believing in the inherent potential of each individual • Focusing on the future with intentionality • Building and valuing community • Providing wrap-around support services to families • Requiring accountability

17. Questions?

18. Contact Information Becky Treece Director of Warren Village Without Walls 303-320-5051 btreece@warrenvillage.org Denis Murstein Chief Officer for Strategic Growth & Development 303-320-5034 dmurstein@warrenvillage.org Dorey Brandt-Finell Child and Family Advocate 303-320-5022 dbrandt-finell@warrenvillage.org