1. National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth National Conference Albuquerque, NM October 30, 2012 Angela Merkert, Executive Director, Wendy Wintermute, Consultant CLN Kids, Albuquerque, NM

3. 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 Empowerment A community-wide framework for supporting vulnerable children and families What is Required Staff competencies Organizational capacity Community network of support

6. How Children (Really) Succeed

11. “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

12. Poor nutrition, exposure to toxins Lack of cognitive stimulation Lack of support for positive parenting Lowered expectations and self-fulfilling prophesies AND STRESS Stress Executive Functions Skills Note: Parents are also stressed!

13. What is Unique? Trauma In the context of poverty Housing instability, highly mobile

14. 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

15. 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.

17. Respect Resilience Empowerment

18. Concrete supports in times of need Physical, social and emotional development of children and parents Nurturing and attachment Knowledge of parenting and child development – “ages and stages” Social connections and advocacy

19. Trauma-informed care Prevent further trauma Provide safety, stability, security Chart a course toward positive development for children and parents Health Cognitive/Social/Emotional Support resilience and asset-building among parents and children

20. Developmental Issues: Physical safety and health Socio-emotional development Cognitive development Focus on strengths, build resilience

21. Developmental Issues: Nurturing relationships and secure attachments Individualized assessment and intervention Concrete support, including appropriate housing Social/emotional/cognitive development Focus on strengths, build resilience

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

23. Community Awareness & Support Service Systems Family Child

24. Audience Participation Organizational Capacities Staff Competencies Community Readiness System-Building

25. Concrete supports in times of need Physical, social and emotional development of children and parents Nurturing and attachment Knowledge of parenting and child development – “ages and stages” Social connections and advocacy

26. Community Urgency and Will to Act Common Vision “Homelessness is rare, of short duration, and non-recurring.” Shared Outcomes and Measurement Comprehensive, Coordinated Services Effective Communication Network Support

28. CLNKIds www.ClnKids.org Angela Merkert angela@clnkids.org Wendy Wintermute wwintermute1@gmail.com