News from the Field Related to Wraparound
The Impact of Incarceration on Dependent Children
May 1, 2017
A recent article in the National Institute of Justice Journal looks at research on the effects of parental incarceration on the well-being of their dependent children. The author, Eric Martin, a social science analyst in NIJ’s Office of Research and Evaluation, outlines the scope of the issue, potential risks for children as well as policy recommendations.
Research Shows Benefit of Pediatric-Based Brief Behavioral Treatment
April 27, 2017
Results of a randomized clinical trial published this month in JAMA Psychiatry found that 56.8% of youths in pediatric-based behavioral treatment were clinically improved compared with 28.2% of youths provided with assisted referral. Improvement was greater for Hispanic youths, with 76.5% of those in behavioral treatment improving compared with 7.1% of referred youths.
Research on Impact of Pre-Kindergarten
April 25, 2017
The Brookings Institution recently published a report on the current research on the impact of pre-kindergarten and found “uniformly positive evidence of impact on kindergarten readiness”. According to the report, 42 states plus the District of Columbia now have early education programs serving 30 percent of the nation’s 4-year-olds and 5 percent of 3-year-olds. The report identifies the need for further research into the best ways to implement pre-kindergarten programs.
Early Intervention Can Help Combat Depression in Children
April 19, 2017
A recent article from a New Jersey paper highlights ways local pediatricians are working to identify and treat depression and other mental health issues early with screening tools and collaborative care approaches. One pilot program will bring a licensed social worker and psychiatrist into the pediatric primary care office, and in another program a psychologist and a “patient navigator” will work with parents when children are diagnosed as needing treatment for a mental health issue.
Research on Benefits of Social Emotional Learning in Elementary School
April 17, 2017
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has published a research brief on the need to support social emotional learning (SEL) to improve behavioral and academic outcomes for students. The brief includes analysis of 20 years of research on SEL programs in K-12 schools. Overall, students who were provided SEL programs performed 11 percent higher in academic achievement and behavior measures, than those who did not have SEL programs. The brief also outlines recommendations for implementing SEL programs, including providing training and coaching for educators, supporting family and community partnerships and as well as policy support at the local, state and national levels.
Resource: NCTSN Fact Sheet on Complex Trauma in Urban African-American Children, Youth, and Families
April 14, 2017
A new 4-page fact sheet from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network discusses how families living in racially and economically segregated communities must also cope with the effects of historical trauma and inter-generational racism. It also outlines specific barriers that African-Americans may face in obtaining needed services and ideas for providers on building supportive relationships with African-American children and families who have experienced complex trauma.
England’s NHS Applying Coordinated Care Approach to Health Care
April 12, 2017
This recent article from The Guardian describes the implementation of “Wraparound-style” coordinated care in certain parts of England. Part of a larger effort to improve patient outcomes and lower costs, this initiative is resulting in more in home care for the large population of older adults in the Dorset region.
Resource: Trauma Informed Oregon’s Guidelines for Discussing Traumatic Events
April 11, 2017
Trauma Informed Oregon has created a set of recommendations on Discussing traumatic events and suicide in public meetings that may be a valuable resource for Wraparound coordinators and others when facilitating meetings. These recommendations for a trauma-informed approach may be helpful when preparing, facilitating and responding in a meeting when a participant is sharing personal experiences that may cause distress and trauma, such as suicide.
Child Trends Guidebook on Quality ECE
March 30, 2017
A new resource from Child Trends, “Defining and Measuring Access to High-Quality Early Care and Education (ECE): A Guidebook for Policymakers and Researchers” offers a common definition of high-quality early care and education and a set of indicators for measuring access. This guidebook is intended as a tool to help policymakers make high-quality care accessible to more children.
Download the Guidebook from Child Trends»
Resource Guide: Culturally Responsive Approaches
March 27, 2017
The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families has published Developing Culturally Responsive Approaches to Serving Diverse Populations: A Resource Guide for Community-Based Organizations. The resources identified in this new guide can help organizations understand the role of culture in their work, and develop or adapt services for clients of different cultures, with the goal of working more effectively across cultures.