National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth National ConferenceAlbuquerque, NMOctober 30, 2012

Angela Merkert, Executive Director,Wendy Wintermute, Consultant

CLN Kids, Albuquerque, NM

The First Five Years:

The importance of early childhood development

Adverse Childhood Events and Environments

Impact of poverty, homelessness and trauma in the early years

Supporting Resilience and EmpowermentA community-wide framework for supporting vulnerable children and families

What is RequiredStaff competenciesOrganizational capacityCommunity network of support

How Children (Really) Succeed

“Hardwires” the stress response

Elevates the level of stress hormones

Results in “embodied memories”

Impairs the development of the prefrontal cortex and executive functions

Learning to fear; danger can be anywhere

Poor nutrition, exposure to toxinsLack of cognitive stimulationLack of support for positive parentingLowered expectations and self-fulfilling prophesies

AND STRESSStress Executive Functions Skills

Note: Parents are also stressed!

What is Unique?TraumaIn the context of povertyHousing instability, highly mobile

83% of homeless children have been exposed to at least one serious violent event.Four times more likely to have health problems;Twice as likely to go hungry; Three times more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems; Fewer than 25% of homeless children graduate from high school.30% of foster care children could return home – if they had a home

Half of homeless mothers experience severe depression; One-third of mothers have made at least one suicide attempt; Over one-third have a chronic physical health condition.30% of homeless adults in the U.S. were foster children; these adults are twice as likely to have their own children placed in foster homes.

RespectResilience Empowerment

Concrete supports in times of needPhysical, social and emotional development of children and parentsNurturing and attachmentKnowledge of parenting and child development – “ages and stages”Social connections and advocacy

Trauma-informed carePrevent further traumaProvide safety, stability, security

Chart a course toward positive development for children and parents

HealthCognitive/Social/Emotional

Support resilience and asset-building among parents and children

Developmental Issues:Physical safety and healthSocio-emotional developmentCognitive developmentFocus on strengths, build resilience

Developmental Issues:Nurturing relationships and secure attachmentsIndividualized assessment and intervention Concrete support, including appropriate housingSocial/emotional/cognitive developmentFocus on strengths, build resilience

Coordinated , Targeted Entry: A common way for families to access homeless services and for providers to quickly link families to the resources they needTailored Programs: Getting the right services at the right level and at the right time for each familyRe-Housing: Moving families as rapidly as possible into stable and safe housingSustainability: Creating stronger connections to family incomes through education, employment, and other mainstream resources

Community Awareness &

Support

Service Systems

Family

Child

Audience ParticipationOrganizational CapacitiesStaff CompetenciesCommunity ReadinessSystem-Building

Concrete supports in times of needPhysical, social and emotional development of children and parentsNurturing and attachmentKnowledge of parenting and child development – “ages and stages”Social connections and advocacy

Community Urgency and Will to ActCommon Vision

“Homelessness is rare, of short duration, and non-recurring.”

Shared Outcomes and MeasurementComprehensive, Coordinated ServicesEffective CommunicationNetwork Support

CLNKIdswww.ClnKids.org

Angela Merkertangela@clnkids.org

Wendy Wintermutewwintermute1@gmail.com