Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education Columbia, SC October 14, 2006

The Ripple Effect  Beyond expectations: a surprising, explosive movement led by early childhood leaders in many states  Momentum and great partnerships: approaching partnerships: approaching a tipping point a tipping point

Ripples One at a Time  Find evidence that early childhood programs can prevent child abuse  Influence national leaders and systems to adopt the idea  Focus on state by state implementation to reach scale  Create greater safety for millions of young children

The hypothesis: early care and education programs could be a good strategy 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

The Result  Small but significant changes in early childhood practice that help programs reach out to families more effectively can have enormous impact on: Preventing child abuse and neglect Preventing child abuse and neglect Parenting competence and confidence Parenting competence and confidence Long term results for young children Long term results for young children

Steps Along the Way  A new framework for preventing child abuse and neglect  Finding exemplary programs and documenting good practice  Partnerships with key national leaders and national organizations  State leadership teams, now in 21 states

Protective Factors 1. Parental Resilience 2. Social Connections 3. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development 4. Concrete Support in Times of Need 5. Social and Emotional Competence of Children

CAN Prevention Protective Factors Social & Emotional Competence of Children Program Strategies ??? Quality Early Care & Education Concrete supports in times of need Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development Social Connections Parental Resilience

Seeking a few good programs  Rural, urban, suburban  Small/large; stand alone/in large agency  Big budget, small budget  All serving low income families  Already high quality programs by other standards

CAN Prevention Protective Factors Social and Emotional Competence of Children Concrete Supports in Times of Need Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development 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 Quality Early Care & Education: How Early Childhood Programs Contribute to Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

A gold standard study  Arthur Reynolds, University of Wisconsin  Longitudinal comparison of children and families who participated in a program with similar elements identified by CSSP with those who did not  Results: 52% reduction in substantiated CAN cases by age 17

Tools for Implementation  Program guide book and self-assessment tools  Literature review  Program summaries  Analysis of EC infrastructure requirements  Newsletters and updates  Handouts/slide shows/communication materials  Web site:

Where we are today  7 CSSP pilot states  3 Largest Cities: LA, Chicago, New York  9 Trust Fund Grantees (3 pilots)  15 Learning Network States  Zero to Three training in 12 states  NAEYC Fellows in 24 states

CSSP Pilot States

CSSP Pilot State Impact  Total Children: 700,302  Total Centers: 10,747  Number of Centers Implementing Action Plans by end of 2006: 4,175  Exemplary programs identified in pilot states: 214

CSSP and Alliance States CSSP and Alliance States

Potential Impact of Statewide Implementers  Total centers: 34,614  Total children 0-5 in child care: 2,873,966

Behind the Numbers  Enthusiasm and leadership from key state leaders: early childhood, child welfare administrators, Children’s Trust Funds, governors  State Policy and Regulatory Changes: Professional Development Professional Development Licensing Licensing Quality Rating Scales Quality Rating Scales Mandatory Reporter Training Mandatory Reporter Training

National Influence Protective factors alignment from the most important organizations and leaders  NAEYC accreditation changes: 971,000 children in 11,353 centers  Parents as Teachers: 320,000 Children  Healthy Families America: 50,000 families

All States with Activity All States with Activity

Signs of Systems Change  Reframing CAN prevention to highlight child development CDC Violence Prevention Branch CDC Violence Prevention Branch HHS Office on Child Abuse and Neglect HHS Office on Child Abuse and Neglect  Including Support for Families in Early Childhood Efforts: A New Norm? State PreK Funding State PreK Funding Policy Guidance from NCSL and NGA Policy Guidance from NCSL and NGA Gates Foundation and other funders Gates Foundation and other funders

A Tipping Point?  Momentum and impact is growing  Significant adoption of a new national approach to prevention AND good results for more children  Continued and growing demand from states and national organizations for technical assistance and planning

The Work is Not Finished Continued leadership and support is necessary to:  Deepen good practice  Ensure sustainable policy  Move to scale in all states  Track results and generate evidence of effectiveness

The “New Normal”  Child abuse and neglect prevention becomes building healthy families  Early childhood programs extend their mission to support families and protect children  Child welfare and other state systems that serve vulnerable children and families recognize and support the developmental needs of young children  State policy and funding sustain the work of Strengthening Families