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What we want for each child and what each child is currently getting

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What we want for each child and what each child is currently getting

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    1. What we want for each child and what each child is currently getting… Boston’s Birth to Five School Readiness Planning Initiative Family Subcommittee July 11, 2007

    3. Boston Children 0-5 Householders’ Place of Birth

    4. Boston Children 0-5 Householders’ Languages

    5. What children need: A family that is in the strongest position to support the child’s learning and development, as evidenced by the fact they…

    6. Are treated as full partners by educators, health professionals and others involved in their child’s learning and development There Is A Need for Parents to Be Full Partners. The literature supports that parental engagement and involvement is important to child development 8 out of 10 Boston children regularly receive early care and education from a non-parent. 50% of those children are in an early care arrangement setting for 5 days a week, averaging 28 hours per week. The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) ranks Massachusetts child care centers as 18th in the country . MA had strengths over other states with regards to instituting requirements to enhance parental involvement, parental communication, and allowed parental visits. Data will be available shortly from the Boston Quality Inventory about parent engagement in Boston early care and education settings. Overall, we are missing parents’ perspectives on whether this is happening, and a better understanding of how this is taking place in settings other than ECE in Boston. The literature supports that parental engagement and involvement is important to child development (Izzo, Weissberg, Kasprow & Fendrich, 1999; Kakli, Krieder, Little, Buck & Coffey, 2006; McWayne, Hampton, Fatuzzo, Cohen & Sekino, 2004; Miedel & Reynolds, 1999; Stevenson & Baker, 1987)The literature supports that parental engagement and involvement is important to child development (Izzo, Weissberg, Kasprow & Fendrich, 1999; Kakli, Krieder, Little, Buck & Coffey, 2006; McWayne, Hampton, Fatuzzo, Cohen & Sekino, 2004; Miedel & Reynolds, 1999; Stevenson & Baker, 1987)

    7. Can choose from a variety of early care and education options that are of high quality In the last 9 years, ECE capacity has increased by at least 4,748 spaces. Need: previous slide 8 out of 10 spend time with noncaregivers Current service: Growth in last 9 years 81% for PreK, not enough for I/T? What’s missing - Still depends on neighborhood - How long did it take to findNeed: previous slide 8 out of 10 spend time with noncaregivers Current service: Growth in last 9 years 81% for PreK, not enough for I/T? What’s missing - Still depends on neighborhood - How long did it take to find

    8. Can choose from a variety of early care and education options that are of high quality (cont’d) EQUIP Benchmark Areas Accreditation Lead Teachers and Teachers with a BA or higher Teachers Receiving Training or Education for College Credit in the Past Year Facilities Parent Engagement Salaries Need: Quality matters a lot Current services - Benchmarks Missing - Family Friend and Neighbor careNeed: Quality matters a lot Current services - Benchmarks Missing - Family Friend and Neighbor care

    9. Have ready access to quality, consistent pediatric care Pediatric Care Massachusetts has highest per capita pediatricians per children Boston has 842 practicing pediatricians Health Insurance and Immunizations All children are entitled to health insurance in Massachusetts Boston leads the nation with over 90% of young children immunized Community Health Centers There are approximately 28 Community Heath Centers in Boston 23 out of the 28 have at least one other language spoken in their setting Spanish is the most common other language spoken in Boston area health centers As we think about access issues, certain services can and cannot be obtained at the CHCs Dental Care (MA Oral Health Report 2005) “The prevalence of early childhood caries (tooth decay) was extremely high in Boston children surveyed.” (p.16) “73% of children have a dental visit on average in MA, only 36% of children with MassHealth had a dental visit in 2004.” (p. 17) “55% of the 351 communities in MA do not have a practicing dentist who participates in the MassHealth program.” (p. 26) What’s missing? - Parent’s perspective

    10. Have ready access to additional services needed to address vital family issues and support their child’s developmental progress Vital Family Issues: Affordable Housing Nutritious Food Economic Security Violence Free Environment Children with Special Needs Teen Parent / Incarcerated Parents Tolerable Levels of Stress

    11. Affordable Housing The Boston Housing Authority has 14,000 public housing units that house 27,000 people and 11,000 rental assistance vouchers assisting 25,000 people. Approximately 20% of housing in Boston is considered affordable, but there remains a $215,000 gap between what a median income household can afford and the median single-family house price. “Given that there are equal numbers of school-aged and younger-than-school-aged homeless children in Massachusetts, at least another 41,000 homeless children are younger than school age, for a total of at the minimum 82,000 homeless children and youth in the Bay State.” In 2005, there were 71,441 section 8 housing units authorized for MA, 2,833 less than in 2004. 1/3 of the people of MA have serious housing affordability problems (Situations Critical Report, UMASS 2000). Over the past 10 years (1990 to 2000) the number of shelter-poor households in MA has increased by 50% and the number of homeless has doubled.

    12. Nutritious Food In Boston there are 74 (of 157) census tracts where the prevalence of hunger is 6x greater than the statewide average. Also in these census tracts, “1 out of every 3 children lives in a family that struggles to put food on the table.” (p. 2) 21% of children ages 0-5 in Boston participated in WIC in June 2003 Other sources include food pantries, the school lunch program, food stamps - gap? Food Project suggests - More people are eligible than use the school breakfast program and the summer food service program.

    13. Economic Security According to the Family Self-Sufficiency Standard the hourly wage needed for a person’s basic needs: ONE ADULT is $12.25 ONE ADULT & ONE PRESCHOOLER is $23.58 ONE ADULT, ONE PRESCHOOLER & SCHOOL AGE CHILD is $27.53 TWO ADULTS & ONE SCHOOL AGED CHILD is 14.70 (per adult) The minimum wage as of January 2007 in Massachusetts is $7.50. Myriad of systems and approaches to assist in change

    14. Violence-Free Environment Domestic Violence A study conducted at Boston Medical Center reported that 28% of children under 6 years have witnessed severe or moderate violence (50% of the violence in the home) over a 12 month period. There are 12 domestic violence shelters in Suffolk County Out of 24 Community Health Centers: 18 CHCs screened for domestic violence during the intake process. 5 CHCs offer mental health services to children < 4. Recognize that there are cultural differences around accessing these services. It is estimated that 80% of women receiving substance abuse services also have a history of mental illness and are or have been victims of domestic violence (BPHC, 2007). Providers indicated that the most needed services were Therapeutic or psycho-education groups for mothers and children Individual mental health therapy and assessment for mothers and children There are 12 full time child advocates in Suffolk county Mention we recognize that immigrant women are less likely to use these servicesIt is estimated that 80% of women receiving substance abuse services also have a history of mental illness and are or have been victims of domestic violence (BPHC, 2007). Providers indicated that the most needed services were Therapeutic or psycho-education groups for mothers and children Individual mental health therapy and assessment for mothers and children There are 12 full time child advocates in Suffolk county Mention we recognize that immigrant women are less likely to use these services

    15. Findings from the Needs Assessment in Boston There are only 2 child witness programs (located in hospitals) dedicated to the children of parents experiencing intimate partner violence : Chelsea Children Advocacy Team at MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center These two programs are only able to serve at most 150 children annually. Focus group discussion with advocates indicated that screening for domestic violence was lacking or inconsistent in pediatric settings in community heath centers. Community health centers had less support for children due to a lack of capacity of child advocates. Providers indicated that the most needed services were Therapeutic or psycho-education groups for mothers and children Individual mental health therapy and assessment for mothers and children. 150 kids -> may suggest unmet need?Focus group discussion with advocates indicated that screening for domestic violence was lacking or inconsistent in pediatric settings in community heath centers. Community health centers had less support for children due to a lack of capacity of child advocates. Providers indicated that the most needed services were Therapeutic or psycho-education groups for mothers and children Individual mental health therapy and assessment for mothers and children. 150 kids -> may suggest unmet need?

    16. The Boston Globe (2007) reports that the number of homicides in Boston doubled during the past decade- from 31 homicides in 1999 to 74 homicides in the year 2006. There have been 30 homicides in Boston between January 2007 and June 2007. 24 out of the 30 homicides were due to shootings. 6 out of the 30 homicides were due to stabbings.

    17. Early Intervention In 2004, Early Intervention (EI) located in Suffolk County represented a total active case load of more than 2800 children There were 6 certified EI programs serving children in Boston. MDPH (as cited in Hagan & Groves, 2007) reported children in Suffolk County are 20% less likely to be referred to EI services compared to children in other counties.

    18. Families with unique needs Children with Special Needs Teen Parents Incarcerated Parents Some services available. We can look more into if group is interested.

    19. Home Visiting in Boston

    20. Family Nurturing Center (FNC) of MA The FNC was founded in 1994 by Sharon Shay Workman, Ph.D. The goal of the FNC is to reduce child abuse and promote healthy families and communities. The FNC provides comprehensive systems of family support across Boston and utilizes a strengths-based approach via collaborations with existing services and resources in communities. 3 components of the FNC: Strengthening the Family (Nurturing programs) Reducing Violence (Circles of Care) Educating community residents and service providers (Training and Workshops) FNC & Executive Director Matt LiPuma received the first ever "Parents Helping Parents Community Service Award" at the Parents Helping Parents Conference in June, 2007. Allston-Brighton Family Network (program of FNC) received Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Children’s Health in 2006.

    21. Early Childhood System of Care (ESOC) Pilot United Way is funding an Early Childhood System of Care (ESOC) pilot in Allston-Brighton. Goals of the ESOC pilot: To promote the social and emotional well being of young children Improve services for young children in need of social-emotional support Enhance the capacity of existing community organizations to provide those services Enhance the support of families Goals will be achieved by focusing on coordinating existing services and identifying gaps. “In a system of care, mental health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and other agencies work together to ensure that children with mental, emotional, and behavioral problems and their families have access to the services and supports they need to succeed” (National Mental Health Information Center, 2007)“In a system of care, mental health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and other agencies work together to ensure that children with mental, emotional, and behavioral problems and their families have access to the services and supports they need to succeed” (National Mental Health Information Center, 2007)

    22. Have knowledge of and easy access to a wide spectrum of affordable opportunities to enrich the child’s development and learning

    23. Tolerable Levels of Stress While there is no comprehensive measure of the stress of Boston families it was the focus of the 2002 Room to Grow report and certainly is aggravated by not having the just - discussed family issues addressed. Jack Shonkoff’s model, and that normal stress is ok but toxic stress affects developmentJack Shonkoff’s model, and that normal stress is ok but toxic stress affects development

    24. We only have a limited understanding of parents’ perspective about most of what we have just described.

    25. Summary Need to know more about whether parents feel that they are considered “full partners” Coming up as an issue in the ECE SubCmte. to develop parent engagement Certainly not all families are having their vital needs met, areas to focus on may be helping families access needed services and increasing the supply of services Changing programs’ outreach strategies, which may include increasing cultural and language appropriateness Empowering parents / families Developing more streamlined and unified sources of information for families about child development and services - can learn best practices from Public Health Access (or multiple points of entry) is an issue the Systems SubCmte is also considering Encouraging more affordable options and programming choices for families with young children

    26. http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.613717/k.4CDE/Using_a_Theory_of_Change_Approach_in_a_National_Evaluation_of_Family_Support_Programs_Practitioner_Reflections.htm http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.613717/k.4CDE/Using_a_Theory_of_Change_Approach_in_a_National_Evaluation_of_Family_Support_Programs_Practitioner_Reflections.htm

    27. Options for action planning include: Developing systemic approaches to strengthen parent-early educator communication in all settings Developing approaches to help families engage directly with the services and supports they need to nurture their children’s healthy development, learning and school readiness (e.g., home visiting, WIC, Head Start, welfare and other economic supports, ECE subsidies, early intervention; health, mental health, and substance use services; child abuse and neglect services; partner violence services; parent-to-parent support and help with parent-child relationships and behavior challenges) Developing means to promote programming across Boston’s cultural, recreational and community organizations that allows families with young children affordable access to a wide range of opportunities to stimulate their learning and overall development Developing unified source of information (on-line, print and/or phone, in multiple languages) on parenting issues, child development, early learning and community resources for families with young children, including information on accessing services, supports, and training Developing an initiative to welcome all Boston newborns and direct parents to sources of supports and services

    28. For more information: Corey Zimmerman Research and Policy Director Artie Maharaj Research and Policy Intern Boston EQUIP / Associated Early Care & Education 617-695-0700 x 229 czimmerman@associatedece.org artie.maharaj@gmail.com

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