Developed by the

1

• Developed by the
• Center for the Study of Social Policy
• Funded by the
• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

2
In the beginning, we were seeking a strategic,
feasible approach to child abuse prevention that
was

• systematic,
• national,
• reached large numbers of
  very young children, and
• would have impact long before abuse or neglect
  occurred

3
Our hypothesis was that early care and education
programs could be central 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

4
The CSSP ProcessStep 1 Search the evidence to
find out what factors really reduce child abuse
and neglectStep 2 Explore the connection
between factors that prevent child abuse and
neglect and what quality early childhood programs
do to build themStep 3 Identify programs that
build the factors and learn how they do it
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Protective Factors

• Parental Resilience
• Social Connections
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
• Concrete Support in Times of Need
• Social and Emotional Competence of Children

6
Consultation Process

• CBFRS
• Child Trends
• CWLA
• Family Support America
• Free to Grow
• Natl.Alliance of Childrens Trust Funds

• NAEYC
• NCCAN
• NACCRRA
• Natl. Child Care Assn
• Prevent Child Abuse America
• USA Child Care
• Zero to Three

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Data Collection Process
Expert Nomination
Program Info Collection
Site Visit

• Survey
• Program summaries
• Brochures
• Calendars
• Evaluations
• Replication

• Director Interview
• Key Informant Interviews
• Parent Focus Group
• Staff Focus Groups
• Program Observation

• Advisory Committee
• Head Start Collaboration
• Early Childhood Specialist
• Child Care Administrator
• Childrens Trust Fund lead
• CBFRS lead
• Other key informants

Searchable Database
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Nominations Process

• 100 programs were nominated
• 10 were self-nominated
• 25 were selected for site visits
• Both nominated programs and selected programs
  reflected diversity in region of country,
  program model auspices, budget size, and target
  population.

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The Bottom Line

• Using early childhood education to prevent child
  abuse is
• A bold and promising departure from conventional
  prevention strategies
• Supported by both early childhood professionals
  and child abuse prevention advocates
• More than a collection of good program
  components. Success hinges on the quality of
  relationships

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Parents Say
I dont know how staff does it, but you know you
can go to them with any issue and theyll be
professional and it will stay with them
I got referred to the program because I whacked
my child. Before I used to beat her up like there
was no tomorrow but now I don't.
I find strength from the unconditional support
and non-threatening environment here.
11
I didnt realize how hard being a mom was. Pat
the home visitor was like a breath of fresh
airshe gave me ideas for crafts and things that
I could do with my baby. When I talk to moms in
other countys who dont have this support I
realize how lucky we are.
This is the place where I feel the most safe,
the most comfortable and the most welcome.
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Early care and education programs can serve
several critical roles for young parents 

• as a primary source of information and support
  for young families
• as a gateway to outside services or supports such
  as health or mental health services,
  transportation, and even education, housing and
  jobs. 
• as the key early warning system.

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CAN Prevention
Protective Factors

• Early Childhood Programs
• Strategies
• Program Elements

Early Childhood Infrastructure
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Program Strategies

• Value support parents
• Facilitate friendships mutual support
• Strengthen parenting
• Facilitate childrens social emotional
  development
• Link families to services opportunities
• Respond to family crises
• Observe respond to early warning signs of
  child abuse or neglect

15
Program Elements

• Staff leadership and support
• Family support workers
• Curricula for social emotional development
• Mental health consultation
• Outreach to men
• Use of physical space
• Connections with child welfare system

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Staffing

• Leadership that shares power
• Clear parent leadership roles
• Flexibility in staff roles
• Decentralized management
• Shared sense of mission
• Focus on Capacity Building
• Internal training and mentoring
• Local hiring
• Team based Approach
• Team staffing
• Regular meetings
• Structured communication

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Key Program Elements

• Family Support Strategies
• Family Support Workers
• Parenting Supports
• Home Visiting
• Social Emotional Strategies
• Conflict resolution curricula
• Arts programs
• Diversity affirmation
• Mental Health Strategies

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Key Program Elements

• Use of Space
• Observation Areas
• Dedicated Parent Space
• Outreach to Men
• Strong relationship with child protection agency
• Relationships outside the program
• Additional services
• Networks
• Collaboratives

19
This has really helped memy child is really
hyper and theyve taught me a lot of patience and
how to handle it.
It really motivates the child to bring out the
best in the parent
My sense that I have other people I can depend
on here is great. Thats huge.
Im learning new ways to set boundariesit makes
me go back home and behave differently with her
(my daughter) to reinforce what theyre
teaching.
20
I used to be argumentative and my grandbabys
really calmed me downits what she learns in the
classroom that has made the difference.
21
CAN Prevention
Protective Factors

• Early Childhood Programs
• Strategies
• Program Elements

Early Childhood Infrastructure
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• Early Childhood Infrastructure
• Quality Programs
• Child-based, results-driven system
• Parent, Family, Community Public Engagement
• Individual Licensing
• Improved Professional Development
• Program Licensing
• Funding Financing
• Governance, Planning Program Accountability

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Next Steps

• Mount a national effort to embed family
  strengthening strategies in early childhood
  education programs
• Find more exemplary programs
• Invest in helping other programs learn how to
  implement these strategies
• Build effective linkages with child welfare
  agencies and child abuse prevention advocates
• Strengthen the early childhood system and
  infrastructure

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How You Can Help

• Assess your program for ways to improve outreach
  to families.
• Plan and implement changes.
• Link with child abuse prevention advocates and
  programs in your community.
• Support changes in early childhood that will make
  it easier for professionals to work effectively
  with families.