This recorded webinar covered multigenerational approaches to systems change, grounded in the assumption that the health of young children depends on the health of caregivers—including custodial and non-custodial fathers and father figures, grandparents, and other kinship caregivers. This discussion featured David Armstrong, a grandfather who accompanied his grandson, DeAndre, on his journey through school, medical, and behavioral health systems. Mr. Armstrong shares how his advocacy for sustaining appropriate early childhood and school-age services and supports for DeAndre grew into leadership roles in local and national systems-building work. Participants discussed how the case of one family highlights the importance of including nontraditional caregivers as partners in their efforts to keep family voice and needs at the center of systems transformations work. … [Read more...] about Important Roles of Fathers & Grandfathers in Families, Programs & Systems
Infant & Early Childhood
Translating Principles of Youth-Guided Systems to Early Childhood Systems of Care
In this recorded presentation, panelists discussed how the concepts of youth voice and choice translate to work with infants, toddlers, and young children in early childhood systems of care. Johanna Bergan, Executive Director from Youth MOVE National, a chapter based, youth-driven organization that works to improve systems and services for youth and young adults, was joined by Evelyn Clark of Change Matrix, who has significant programmatic and lived experience with juvenile justice and behavioral health systems of the Pacific Northwest. Together, they discussed the importance of self-advocacy development as building blocks to successful youth self-determination and challenged participants to consider how to meet the needs of young parents. … [Read more...] about Translating Principles of Youth-Guided Systems to Early Childhood Systems of Care
Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care
During this intense time of uncertainty, stress, and trauma related to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial trauma, program leaders and staff can benefit from processing experiences and sharing strategies to support understanding, connectedness, and hope. This recorded Community of Practice convened a group of infant and early childhood systems of care program and staff as well as experts from the field. Collectively, they explored the ways in which the complex and racial trauma of these times affect the children and families they serve, as well as their programs and organizations. Together, they discussed strategies and shared resources designed to help programs address trauma and inequities while building resiliency in context of the pandemic and preparing to return to ECE settings and work. They also examined tools aimed at multiple levels (individual, child and family, program, and systems). In this session, Jessica Dym Bartlett from Child Trends discussed some recently developed … [Read more...] about Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care
Implementing trauma-informed approaches at the state level to promote resilience in infants, toddlers, young children & their families
One of the foundational elements of early childhood systems of care is building resilient communities by mitigating exposure to trauma and early adversity experienced by families with infants, toddlers, and young children. In this recorded webinar, Jennifer Drake-Croft describes a systems-wide approach to mitigate trauma and early adversity through training and other workforce supports available to infant, toddler, and early childhood staff at all levels of the system. Jenn discusses how Building Strong Brains Tennessee emerged with support from the executive branch, the TN legislature, and stakeholders across sectors. Together, participants considered how the work in TN can inform efforts to 1) bring together broad public and political will for programs, policies, and strategies that prevent exposure to early adversity; 2) implement appropriate initial and ongoing supports to sustain a trauma-informed infant, toddler, and early childhood workforce; and 3) be mindful of compassion … [Read more...] about Implementing trauma-informed approaches at the state level to promote resilience in infants, toddlers, young children & their families
Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care
During this intense time of uncertainty, stress, and trauma related to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial trauma, program leaders and staff can benefit from processing experiences and sharing strategies to support understanding, connectedness, and hope. This recorded Community of Practice brought together infant and early childhood systems of care program staff and experts from the field. Participants explored the ways in which the complex and racial trauma of these times affect the children and families they serve, as well as their programs and organizations. Participants discussed strategies and shared resources designed to help programs address trauma and inequities while building resiliency in context of the pandemic in order to return to ECE settings and work. Finally, participants examined tools aimed at multiple levels (individual, child and family, program, and systems). This recorded presentation focuses on racial trauma and fostering equity in early childhood community … [Read more...] about Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care