1. Strategies for Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness in the Early Childhood Classroom

2. Welcome & Introductions Presenter: Andrea Urbano Senior Director of Training & Professional Development, Horizons for Homeless Children Participants

3. Learning Outcomes Share applicable core knowledge on Child and Family Homelessness Articulate the importance of fostering skills that support the social emotional development of each child Understand how environments affect children’s behavior Identify strategies that foster and support competence, connection, confidence, and control

4. The National Picture 1.6 million children are homeless (NCFH, 2010) Families with children comprise 37% of the homeless population (HUD, 2011) 84% of are headed by female… Homeless children represent 22% of the entire homeless population(NCFH, 2011) Within a single year, nearly 97% of all homeless children have moved at least once or more, and: – 25% witnessed violence – 22% separated from their families – 20% of homeless preschooler's have emotional problems

5. What does it mean?

6. It’s not always what it looks like

7. Affects of homelessness on Early Childhood Development Physical Social Emotional Cognitive Language

8. Brain Map Zero to Three

9. Affects of Homelessness on Young Brains “Fight or flight” over engaged Function of neural circuits effected Less richly formed neural pathways Sensitivity to future stress develops Immune System Insufficient energy for mastering skills Consequent risks to child development

10. Toxic Stress = Trauma

11. Signs & Symptoms of a Traumatic Response in Children Increased aggression Difficulties with sleep Increased separation anxiety preoccupation with the traumatic event; reenacting or re- playing aspects of the event Hyper-arousal Withdrawn or avoidant behavior

12. Not all children are equally affected by trauma

13. Action Planning: Identify Challenges Brainstorm the Statement: “We’d like to foster the development of positive strategies to respond to the needs of children and families experiencing homelessness but…

14. Challenges Gaps in Services and Coordination Services for At-Risk Children Lack of Resources devoted to Social Emotional Learning Lack of Support for Families

15. “Ordinary Magic” …. A. Masten Human beings have an innate capacity for resiliency because of adaptive abilities to make and maintain relationships, communicate and problem solve, and regulate behavior and affective states.

16. Make “learning” visible

17. Seven Lessons from Our Experience Make My World Safe Help Me Trust Let Me Help Make My World Predictable Give Me Choices It’s Not My Fault I Am Good

18. Opportunities Trauma – Informed Settings Resiliency and Protective Factors Family and Community Engagement Opportunities Health Care Opportunities

19. Promoting Social Emotional Competence Creating Supportive Environments Building Positive Relationships Social Emotional Teaching Strategies Individualized Intensive Interventions

20. What is Resiliency ? An ability to bounce back or recovery from adversity. A similar definition – It is the power or ability to return to the original form or position.

21. How do we foster resiliency? Integral Interrelated Components Competence Confidence Connection Character Contribution Coping Control

22. Responding to Impacts; Three Levels of Change Child level Program-wide level Community or System level

23. Responding to Impacts; Tools for Change Environment – Organized, Safe & Comforting, Predictable, Consistent People – Trusting, Consistent, Encouraging Program – Policies & Practices that support differences

24. Strategy #1 Foster Healing Relationships Create opportunities for long term relationships Individualize interactions with children Help children make friends

26. Strategy #2 Create Safe Environments for Children Design environments that “speak” children Offer a range of appropriate toys and materials for all areas of development Create opportunities for talking, listening and sharing

29. Strategy #3 Help during daily activities Provide activities that foster mastery & coping skills Use routines, rituals, rhythms and relaxation Take advantage of opportunities in the day to build social emotional skills

31. Strategy #4 Help Children Managing Challenging Behavior Let children know what they can do Catch children “being good” Pick your fights Give choices Teach problem solving skills Reconnect Get family insight

33. LessonResiliencyEnvironmentPeopleProgram I am GoodCharacter Make My World Predictable ControlPost Visual Expectations Staff use common language Transition process Let Me HelpContribution Give Me Choices Competence Build TrustConnection It’s Not My Fault Contribution Make My World Safe Coping

35. Training Conclusion and Questions

36. For Additional Training and Professional Development Opportunities contact: Horizons for Homeless Children 617-553-5437 Andrea T. Urbano Senior Director, Training and Professional Development aurbano@horizonschildren.org