ISPCAN COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES · ISPCAN COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES Child Welfare and Pandemics: What...
Transcript of ISPCAN COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES · ISPCAN COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES Child Welfare and Pandemics: What...
ISPCAN COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES
Child Welfare and Pandemics:
What We Know and What We Can Do
Webinar Presentation
Child Welfare and Pandemics
Friday April 3, 2020
10:00 a.m. MDT / 12:00 p.m. EDT
https://www.ispcan.org/
Child Welfare
and Pandemics
D R . B A R B A R A FA L L O N 1
D R . D E L P H I N E C O L L I N - V É Z I N A 2
D R . S T E V E N M I L L E R 3
D R . M A R I N A S I S T O V A R I S 1
1 U N I V E R S I T Y O F T O R O N T O
2 M C G I L L U N I V E R S I T Y
3 T H E H O S P I T A L F O R S I C K C H I L D R E N & T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F T O R O N T O
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Policy Bench Co-Leads:
Barbara Fallon, Ph.D.
Professor
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
University of Toronto
Steven Miller, M.D.
Head of Neurology
Division of Neurology
The Hospital for Sick Children
Policy Bench Advisory Committee:
Catherine Birken, M.D.
Staff Pediatrician
Pediatric Medicine
The Hospital for Sick Children
Jennifer Jenkins, Ph.D
Professor
Department of Applied Psychology and
Human Development
University of Toronto
Faye Mishna, Ph.D.
Professor
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
University of Toronto
Avram Denburg, M.D.
Staff Oncologist and Clinical Scientist
The Hospital for Sick Children
Joel Levine, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biology
University of Toronto
Marla Sokolowski, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Cell and Systems Biology
University of Toronto
Barbara Fallon, Ph.D.
Professor
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
University of Toronto
Steven Miller, M.D.
Head of Neurology
The Hospital for Sick Children
Suzanne Stewart, Associate Professor
Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for
Indigenous Health
Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
University of Toronto
Principal Researcher:
Marina Sistovaris, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
University of Toronto
Policy Bench Committee
• The Policy Bench is an initiative of the Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development (FMIHD). Dr. J. Fraser Mustard (1927-2011) galvanized the international community with his belief that interventions in the early years of life offer unparalleled potential for improved quality of life.
• The FMIHD honours Dr. Mustard’s legacy through key initiatives such as the Policy Bench that support the University of Toronto academic community by providing transdisciplinary opportunities for collaboration and knowledge mobilization in the area of human development.
• The Policy Bench brings together leaders at the University of Toronto and SickKids with transdisciplinary expertise from an array of academic disciplines─ranging from health, psychology, education, economics and medical sciences─to support optimal human development and health equity across the life course, from the early years into adulthood. This involves the synthesis, creation and dissemination of knowledge designed to assist decision makers, practitioners and relevant stakeholders in making evidence based policy decisions that improve outcomes for children and youth.
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
POLICY BENCH
Fraser Mustard Institute for
Human Development
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
1. Methodology
2. The Dynamics of a Pandemic
3. COVID-19 Pandemic
4. A Socio-Ecological Approach to Child Protection During Pandemics
5. Leading Child Protection Risks During Pandemics, UNICEF
6. Emerging COVID-19 Concerns: A Child Welfare Perspective from the U.S.
7. Policy Implications: Designing Appropriate Child Protection Strategies
8. Concluding Remarks
Presentation Overview
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Introduction
Child Welfare and Pandemics: Literature Scan
• Literature scan was conducted on the topic of child welfare and
pandemics, focused on potential policy solutions that could mitigate the
impact on children in the care of Canada’s child welfare system.
•Document available online: https://cwrp.ca/publications/child-welfare-
and-pandemics-literature-scan
•Brief summary also available online: https://cwrp.ca/publications/child-
welfare-and-pandemics-information-sheet
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
• Search Time Frame: Literature search conducted between March 16, 2020 and March 19,
2020.
• Search Keywords/Phrases: pandemics; COVID-19; children; policy; mitigation
• List of keywords/search terms was developed by examining: abstracts; government
documents; and subject headings and phrases.
• Throughout the search process, keywords/search terms were added, deleted or modified as
different terms were discovered to improve the search strategy.
• Data Sources: peer-reviewed journals found in electronic databases; internet based grey
literature
Methodology
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Global disease outbreak.
Compared to an outbreak or epidemic, a pandemic:
affects a wider geographical area, often
worldwide;
infects a greater number of people than an
epidemic;
is often caused by a new virus or a strain of
virus is wider in scope because humans usually
have little to no immunity against it;
spreads quickly from person-to-person
worldwide;
causes much higher numbers of deaths than
epidemics; and
creates social disruption, economic loss, and
general hardship.1
The Dynamics of a Pandemic
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
COVID-19 Pandemic
Origin: Wuhan, China (2019)2
Pandemic
Status:
March 11, 2020 declared pandemic by
World Health Organization3
Description: highly transmittable and pathogenic
viral infection caused SARS-CoV-22
Symptoms: flu-like symptoms, cough, fever, can be
asymptomatic4
Countries
Affected:
200 countries and territories (as of
March 30, 2020)4
Infected: 785,712 (as of March 30, 2020)4
Recovered: 165,606 (as of March 30, 2020)4
Deaths: 37,814 (as of March 30, 2020)4
Mortality Rate: 3.4% (as of March 30, 2020)4
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Socio-Ecological Impact of COVID-1918
Heightened risks to child of
abuse, neglect, violence,
exploitation, psychological
distress and negative
impact on development
Breakdown of trust; Competition over scarce
resources; Limited access to community support
services, education and play spaces
Family separation, reduced access to
social supports, caregiver distress,
heightened risk of violence/domestic
abuse
Disruption to livelihood; Disrupted family
connections and support; Fear of the
disease
Erosion of social capital;
Disruption or limited access
to basic services
Stigma against
certain groups
ChildFamilyCommunitySocietySociocultural
Norms
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Leading Child Protection Risks During
Pandemics, UNICEF7
Neglect and Lack of Parental Care
Mental Health and Psychosocial Distress
Increased Exposure to Violence, Including Sexual Violence, Physical and Emotional Abuse
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
• Increase in Maltreatment Cases
• Poor Nutrition
• Decrease in Home Services
• Reduced Availability of Substance Use Disorders Programs
• Reduced Visitation and Reunification Services
• Delays in Court Appearances/Proceedings
• Decreased Protection of Youth with Pre-Existing Conditions
• Foster Parent Employment
• Possible Spike in “Re-Placement” Needs
• Health of Elder Caregivers
• Outbreaks at Institutional Settings
• Displaced Foster Youth Living on College Campuses5
Emerging COVID-19 Concerns:
A Child Welfare Perspective from the U.S.
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Policy Implications: Designing Appropriate
Child Protection Strategies
• Increased Coordination and
Collaboration
• Child Specific Programming
• Residential Care
• Strengthening Child Welfare Systems
Before, During and After Pandemics8,9
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Increased Coordination and Collaboration8,9
Child Protection
Food Security
Livelihoods
Education
HealthNutrition
Water, Sanitation,
Hygiene
Shelter
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Child Specific Programming
• Individual and Group
Activities for Child Well
Being
• Strengthening Family and
Caregiving Environments
• Community-Level
Approaches
• Case Management
• Alternative Care8,9
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Residential Care
• Youth living in residential facilities
have a high risk of infection with
viruses because of communal living
arrangements.
• Children and youth with pre-existing
health conditions are at a heightened
risk of infection.
• Pandemic plans should include
measures:
• for dealing with the need to
quarantine youth or staff;
• for large relocation of children; and
• with agreed-upon medical centers
to take children to in an emergency
situation.10,11,12
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Strengthening Child Welfare Systems:
Before a Pandemic
• When formulating a plan, child welfare agencies should take into
consideration how they will:
• identify, locate, and continue the availability of services for children
under care or supervision who are displaced or adversely affected;
• respond to new child welfare cases in areas adversely affected by a
disaster, and provide services in those cases;
• remain in communication with caseworkers and other essential child
welfare personnel who are displaced;
• preserve essential program records; and
• coordinate services and share information with other levels of
government.13
• Plans should ensure that critical infrastructure is in place to allow for:
the coordination with key players; the communication of vital
information; and the preparation of staff, families, youth, and service
providers.14
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Strengthening Child Welfare Systems:
During a Pandemic
• Effective implementation of a
pandemic plan requires:
• good management of
resources, essential
functions and assigned
roles;
• coordination with key
partners;
• communication of vital
information; and
• access to critical information
systems by staff.15
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Strengthening Child Welfare Systems:
After a Pandemic
• The period after a pandemic
provides an opportunity for
child welfare agencies to:
• assess experiences;
• revise plans; and
• rebuild stronger and more
effective systems.16
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Concluding Remarks• Children in care are at a heightened risk of harm from not only the current COVID-19 pandemic, but in many cases,
from government policies being implemented to contain the pandemic.
• Pandemics can significantly limit the capacity of public agencies to operate and provide services and supports to
populations during a period of heightened demand and uncertainty.
• Early feedback from key stakeholders—children, youth, parents, foster and adoptive parents, caseworkers,
probation officers, judges and others—suggests system resources and capacity are under considerable pressure as
agencies and child protection workers struggle to provide services and supports to clients.
• Child welfare systems and agencies, require policy makers to formulate, articulate and implement child protection
strategies that: allow for and encourage increased coordination across all sectors that involve children in care; build
on the strengths and positive coping mechanisms of communities, families, caregivers and children; address the
challenges of highly vulnerable populations such as youth in residential care; and provide for the required
resources and supports to function not only during a pandemic but also in pre- and post-pandemic environments.
• It is especially important for child welfare agencies responsible for vulnerable populations to ensure continuity of
care during this period.
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Acronyms
COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease 2019
SARS-CoV-2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2
UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
US United States
WHO World Health Organization
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Resources: Websites
Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal https://cwrp.ca/
Government of Canada
COVID-19 Updates
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-
health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-
infection.html
Ontario Ministry of Children, Community
and Social Services
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/
Government of Ontario COVID-19 Updates https://covid-19.ontario.ca/index.html
SickKids Hospital COVID-19 Information
http://www.sickkids.ca/VisitingSickKids/Infection-
Prevention-and-Control/Infection-Prevention-and-
Control.html
Social Work Blog https://www.socialwork.career/2020/03/covid-19-
resources-social-workers-therapists.html
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Resources: Publications
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Coping
Strategies for Youth with a History of Complex
Trauma
(Report)
https://www.attachment-and-trauma-treatment-centre-for-
healing.com/uploads/4/0/5/4/4054075/covid-
19_coping_stragies_for_youth_complex_trauma_survivors_an
d_their_caregivers_foundation_trust.pdf
Trauma Informed Approach to Teaching
(Newspaper Article)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/03/26/tr
auma-informed-approach-teaching-through-coronavirus-
students-everywhere-online-or-not/
Trauma Informed Care
(Presentation Slides)
https://www.socialwork.career/2017/09/trauma-talking-not-
enough.html
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Endnotes1 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (n.d.). Outbreaks, Epidemics And Pandemics—What You Need To Know.
Arlington, Virginia: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (No page). Retrieved from
https://apic.org/monthly_alerts/outbreaks-epidemics-and-pandemics-what-you-need-to-know/
2 Shereen, M.A., Khan, S., Kazmi, A. et al. (2020). “COVID-19 Infection: Origin, Transmission, and Characteristics of Human Coronaviruses,”
Journal of Advanced Research, 24: 91-98. (Page 91). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2020.03.005
3 Bedford, J., Enria, D., Giesecke, J. et al. (2020). “Comment: COVID-19: Towards Controlling of a Pandemic. Comment.,” The Lancet, 395
(10229): 1015-1018, (Page 1015). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30673-5
4 Worldometer. (2020). COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. (31 March), (No page). Retrieved from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
5 Kelly, J. and Hansel, H. (2020). “Coronavirus: What Child Welfare Systems Need to Think About,” The Chronicle of Social Change, (11 March),
(No page). Retrieved from https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/coronavirus-what-child-welfare-systems-need-to-think-
about/41220
6 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. (2019b). Technical Note: Protection Of Children During The Coronavirus Pandemic,
Version 1. (March). Pages 1-2. Retrieved from
https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/the_alliance_covid_19_brief_version_1.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=37184
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Endnotes7 United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. (n.d.). Child Protection Emergency Preparedness and Response Guidance to The
COVID-19. Page 1. New York, New York: UNICEF. Retrieved from
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o0l2rmzyhipqwbk/EAPR%20CP%20Preparedness%20and%20Response%20to%20COVID-19.pdf?dl=0
8 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. (2019a). Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. Retrieved from
https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/cpms_2019_final_en.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=35094
9 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action(2019b). Technical Note: Protection Of Children During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Version
1. (March). Retrieved from
https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/the_alliance_covid_19_brief_version_1.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=37184
10 Fecteau, O. (2020). “Foster Care Children at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic,” News5, (19 March), (No page). Retrieved from
https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/coronavirus/foster-care-children-at-risk-during-covid-19-pandemic
11 Kelly, J. and Hansel, H. (2020). “Coronavirus: What Child Welfare Systems Need to Think About,” The Chronicle of Social Change, (11 March),
(No page). Retrieved from https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/coronavirus-what-child-welfare-systems-need-to-think-
about/41220
12 Hyslop, K. (2020). “People in Group Homes: What Is Government Doing to Keep Them Safe?,” The Tyeee. (19 March), (No page). Retrieved
from https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/03/19/Few-Specific-COVID-19-Youth-In-Care-Measures-Group-Homes/
POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Endnotes13 Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2016). Disaster Planning For Child Welfare Agencies. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Children’s Bureau. Page 2. Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/disasterplanning.pdf
14 O’Brien, M., Webster, S. and Herrick, A. (2007). Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pages 3-29. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=480685
15 O’Brien, M., Webster, S. and Herrick, A. (2007). Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pages 30-37. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=480685
16 O’Brien, M., Webster, S. and Herrick, A. (2007). Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pages 2, 38-42. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=480685
17 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. No page. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/publichealthissue/social-ecologicalmodel.html
18 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. (2019b). Technical Note: Protection of Children during the Coronavirus Pandemic,
Version 1. (March). Page 2. Retrieved from
https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/the_alliance_covid_19_brief_version_1.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=37184