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Implementing SFI in Early Childhood Education Program

Learn how to implement the Strengthening Families Initiative (SFI) in your Early Childhood Education Program to prevent child abuse and neglect. This resource, developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy and funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, provides evidence-based strategies and program components to build protective factors and promote positive parent-child relationships.

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Implementing SFI in Early Childhood Education Program

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  1. Implementing SFI in your ECE Program Developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy Funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

  2. In the beginning, we were seeking a strategic, feasible approach to child abuse prevention that was: • systematic, • national, • reached large numbers of very young children, and • would have impact long before abuse or neglect occurred

  3. Our hypothesis was that early care and education programs could be central because they offer: • Daily contact with parents and children • Uniquely intimate relationship with families • A universal approach of positive encouragement and education for families • An early warning and response system at the first sign of trouble

  4. The CSSP ProcessStep 1: Search the evidence to find out what factors really reduce child abuse and neglectStep 2: Explore the connection between factors that prevent child abuse and neglect and what quality early childhood programs do to build themStep 3: Identify programs that build the factors and learn how they do it

  5. How Early Childhood programs contribute to prevention of child abuse and neglect Protective Factors Quality Early Care & Education: Parental Resilience Program Strategies That: ???? Social Connections Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development CAN Prevention Concrete supports in times of need Social and Emotional Competence of Children

  6. Parental Resilience • Psychological health; parents feel supported and able to solve problems; can develop trusting relationships with others and reach out for help • Parents who did not have positive childhood experiences or who are in troubling circumstances need extra support and trustworthy relationships

  7. Social Connections • Relationships with extended family, friends, co-workers, other parents with children of similar ages • Community norms • Mutual assistance networks: child care, emotional support, concrete help

  8. Knowledge of parenting and child development • Basic information about how children develop • Basic techniques of helping children develop, dealing with challenging behaviors • Alternatives to parenting behaviors experienced as a child • Help with challenging children

  9. Concrete Support • Response to a crisis: food, shelter, clothing • Assistance with daily needs: health care, education, job opportunities • Services for parents: depression and other mental health issues, domestic violence, substance abuse; • Specialized services for children

  10. Social Emotional Development • Connection between normal development and positive parent child interaction • Appropriate adult response to challenging behaviors, traumatic experiences or when development is not on track • What classroom learning sends home to families

  11. How Early Childhood programs contribute to prevention of child abuse and neglect Protective Factors Quality Early Care & Education: Parental Resilience Program Strategies That: • Facilitate friendships and mutual support • Strengthen parenting • Respond to family crises • Link families to services and opportunities • Value and support parents • Facilitate children’s social and emotional development • Observe and respond to early warning signs of child abuse or neglect Social Connections Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development CAN Prevention Concrete supports in times of need Social and Emotional Competence of Children

  12. CAN Prevention Protective Factors Strategies Program Components Early Childhood Infrastructure

  13. CAN Prevention • Parental Resilience • Social Connections • Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development • Concrete support in times of need • Social and Emotional Competence of children Protective Factors Strategies Program Components Early Childhood Infrastructure

  14. Facilitate friendships and mutual support • Strengthen parenting • Respond to family crises • Help families get what they need • Value and support parents • Facilitate children’s social & emotional development CAN Prevention Protective Factors Strategies Program Components Early Childhood Infrastructure

  15. CAN Prevention • Mental health consultation • Parent education • Family support • Physical space • Home visiting • Social emotional programming Protective Factors Strategies Program Components Early Childhood Infrastructure

  16. CAN Prevention Protective Factors • Staff training and Support • Linkages with other agencies • Strong relationship with CW • Parent Involvement Strategies Program Components Early Childhood Infrastructure

  17. Program elements • Family Support • Family Support Workers • Parenting Supports • Home Visiting • Social Emotional Strategies • Conflict resolution curricula • Arts programs • Diversity affirmation • Mental Health Consultation

  18. Staffing • Leadership that shares power • Clear parent leadership roles • Flexibility in staff roles • Decentralized management • Shared sense of mission • Focus on Capacity Building • Internal training and mentoring • Local hiring • Team based Approach • Team staffing • Regular meetings • Structured communication

  19. Relationships • Use of Space to welcome parents • Observation Areas • Dedicated Parent Space • Outreach to Men • Strong relationship with child protection agency • Relationships with other agencies and services • Networks, collaboratives, partnerships

  20. Parents Say: “I don’t know how staff does it, but you know you can go to them with any issue and they’ll be professional and it will stay with them” “I got referred to the program because I whacked my child. Before I used to beat her up like there was no tomorrow but now I don't.” “I find strength from the unconditional support and non-threatening environment here.”

  21. The Bottom Line Using early childhood education to prevent child abuse is: • A bold and promising departure from conventional prevention strategies • Supported by both early childhood professionals and child abuse prevention advocates • More than a collection of good program components. Success hinges on the quality of relationships

  22. I used to be argumentative and my grandbaby’s really calmed me down—its what she learns in the classroom that has made the difference

  23. Early care and education programs can serve several critical roles for young parents: • as a primary source of information and support for young families • as a gateway to outside services or supports such as health or mental health services, transportation, and even education, housing and jobs. • as the key early warning system when families or children are in trouble.

  24. “This has really helped me—my child is really hyper and they’ve taught me a lot of patience and how to handle it.” “My sense that I have other people I can depend on here is great. That’s huge.” “It really motivates the child to bring out the best in the parent” “I’m learning new ways to set boundaries—it makes me go back home and behave differently with her (my daughter) to reinforce what they’re teaching.”

  25. What your Program can do • Use the self-assessment to identify areas for practice enhancement • Build effective linkages with child welfare agencies and child abuse prevention advocates • Educate others on the role early care and education can play in child abuse and neglect prevention

  26. “I didn’t realize how hard being a mom was. Pat [the home visitor] was like a breath of fresh air—she gave me ideas for crafts and things that I could do with my baby. When I talk to mom’s in other county’s who don’t have this support I realize how lucky we are.” Of all the encounters I’ve had since I’ve been [in this community] this is the place where I feel the most safe, the most comfortable and the most welcome.

  27. Tools for Implementationwww.cssp.org • Program guide book and self-assessment tools • Literature review (and ongoing links to relevant research) • Program write-ups • Paper on EC infrastructure • Newsletter • Handouts/slide shows/communication materials

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