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November 4, 2011

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.

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November 4, 2011

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  1. School Readiness for Babies in Foster Care: Working Across Systems to Help the Youngest Children Succeed November 4, 2011

  2. ZERO TO THREE’s Mission To help professionals, policy makers and parents to promote the healthy development of infants and toddlers. Sarah Merrill

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Fatigue Anxiety Aggressiveness Destructiveness Social isolation Family or school problems (fighting, suspension, expulsion) Trouble with the law Depression FASD Secondary Symptoms

  9. 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.

  10. Early Experiences Matter We are all a product of our earliest experiences. Veer

  11. Recurrent physical abuse Recurrent emotional abuse Contact sexual abuse Emotional neglect Physical neglect An alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household 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

  12. Teen pregnancy Sexual behavior Alcoholism Stability of relationships Risk of revictimization Mental health Suicide attempts The more troubling the childhood, the greater the number and severity of medical and psychological conditions in adulthood. Adverse Childhood Experiences Linked to:

  13. Brain Develops Early (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2007)

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Healthy vs. Abused Brain

  18. 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.

  19. 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

  20. How Young Children Learn • In the context of nurturing relationships • In the every day activities that allow them to explore their environment

  21. Contacts Lucy Hudson Director Court Teams for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers Project ZERO TO THREE lhudson@zerotothree.org 202-857-2629 (office) 202-246-1276 (cell)

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