Promise Partners News & Updates

EMPOWERING A CARING COMMUNITY THAT PROMISES THE WELL-BEING OF EVERY CHILD

April 2020

The majority of child abuse cases in Iowa stem from situations and conditions that are entirely preventable in an engaged and supportive community. A community that cares about early childhood development, parent support and maternal mental health, for instance, is more likely to see families nurturing children who are born healthy and enter school ready to learn.

Approximately 80% of the substantiated acts of child abuse and neglect are committed by parents or family members. A lack of parenting skills, knowledge and support is cited as the primary reason. Yet, we continue to ignore the overwhelming need to prepare parents and caregivers better.

If we work together to change the way society values and supports the well-being of children and families and if we can change the cultural attitude to ensure that healthy, safe and nurturing experiences are supported by the actions of every individual and every community, then "preventing child abuse" no longer describes simply the 'cause' we each support; but rather, it begins to describe the 'effect' of all that we do together.

April's observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds us all of our responsibility to make positive choices that will impact the safety and well-being of children. Beyond the choices we make every day to assure our own children receive nurturing, loving experiences every day, we can make choices that will affect change at the community level on the systems that support healthy community and family development.

Everyone can play a role in strengthening families- yes even you. Whether you're a neighbor, employer, mentor, spiritual leader, service provider or part of a local community organization, you can make a big difference in the life of a child.

Everyone Can Make Great Childhoods Happen-

Especially You, Especially Now!

"April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Is a time to help people understand that safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments are necessary to ensure that children grow up happy and healthy," explained Patricia Russmann, Executive Director. "Women and children are at high risk during this time of isolation. We all play a role in supporting the well-being of others during this time."

The time to act is now. COVID-19 has made life difficult for everyone-especially children and families. Although the risk to our children's physical health from the outbreak itself appears to be low, the risk to children for experiencing child abuse and neglect in times of extreme stress and uncertainty is high.

School and workplace closings can increase stress in parents' lives, resulting from loss of income due to lack of paid leave or an unexpected or irregular need for child care and food insecurity. Additionally, an unintended consequence of social distancing is isolation, which contradicts science proving that social and emotional connectedness and support are protective of mental health and positive discipline strategies.

April provides an opportunity to learn more about child abuse prevention and have a more watchful eye on the children around us:

Lean on technology. This is a time to embrace technology- video chat with friends and family, encourage teachers to hold online meetings, host an online playdate, or connect to community resources virtually.

Create a great neighborhood. Color sidewalks with positive messages in chalk, follow the "bear hunt" craze by dressing and hanging teddy bears in your window, have a kind heart and hang heart art in your windows through the "Heart Hunters" movement, plant blue pinwheels around your home.

Get busy. Volunteer your time at your local church, nonprofit, or organization helping to alleviate the worries of families.

Be generous. Make a donation to support economic support for families. Consider donating to the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Unmet Needs Fund or Emergency Childcare Collaborative at www.ourpccf.org.

Make a call. If you should suspect abuse - please make a report. The Child Abuse Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-362-2178 to make an anonymous report.

For more ways to get involved in Child Abuse Prevention Month, please visit www.preventchildabuse.org/yesyou.

From Trauma-Informed to

Asset-Informed Care in Early Childhood

The Bookings Institute

The focus on "toxic stress," ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and trauma-informed care have been game-changers in the field of early childhood development. They have helped us recognize the symptoms of trauma, provide appropriate assistance to children, and understand that prolonged adversity in the absence of nurturing relationships can derail a child's healthy development. Just look at the media's and the public's reaction to the impact of separating families at our southern border or at Florida's statewide trauma-informed initiative as compelling examples of how these concepts have led to change.

So, given these positive results, it may be a surprise that I propose expanding beyond these problem-focused, trauma-laced concepts to narratives and solutions that are rooted in children's and families' assets. Here's my journey-why I have come to these conclusions-as well as examples of solutions...

Key Point 1: Adversity is not destiny.
Key Point 2: Stereotyping can seriously harm children.
Key Point 3: People who have experienced trauma should not be "defined" by their trauma.
Key Point 4: We need to build on children's and families' assets.

-Read More-

Human Connection Bolsters the Immune System: That's Why It's More Important than Ever to be Kind

The Washington Post

Don't go to work. Don't see your friends. Don't visit your grandmother in the nursing home. Don't bring food to your sister who works at a hospital. Don't hold your wife's hand while she gives birth. Don't play together. Don't pray together. Don't hug.

Of the many cruelties of the coronavirus pandemic, this is one of the hardest to accept: In a time when all we want is to be close to the people we care about, closeness is the one thing we can't have.

Six feet has never felt farther away.

Psychologists are worried about the long-term effects of our new, socially distant reality. Decades of research has shown that loneliness and isolation are associated with high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, weakened immune systems and a host of other health issues.

-Read More-

Untapped Potential: Economic Impact of Childcare Breakdowns on U.S. States

Iowa was one of four states highlighted in a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation publication featuring why child care is a two-generation workforce issue. In Iowa, the Chamber Foundation partnered with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children to better understand the unique needs of Iowa's working parents.

Key findings in Iowa:

Iowa loses $153 million annually in tax revenue due to childcare issues.
Absences and employee turnover cost Iowa employers $781 million per year
69% of parents rely on family members for at least some childcare.
More than 1/2 of parents reported missing work due to childcare issues.
52% of parents who voluntarily left a job did so when their child was one year old or younger.
23% of parents postponed school or a training program due to childcare issues.

-Read More-

Untapped Potential: Understanding Iowa's Childcare Needs

Informal Competitive Solicitation

Mental Health Consultation

Promise Partners seeks bid proposals to provide Early Childhood Mental Health consultation, technical assistance, and training to MIECHV-funded home visitation programs in Pottawattamie County.

More Information. Deadline to apply extended to April 30.

Helpful Resources

Iowa Department of Public Health: Public health numbers, information, press releases. Also a variety of resources specific to business, healthcare, the public.
Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency: The latest preparedness, response, and public information for Pottawattamie County, Iowa regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The health preparedness & response efforts within the county are led by the Pottawattamie County Division of Public Health.

Assistance for Families

211: Free, comprehensive information and referral system linking Iowa residents to health and human service programs, community services, disaster services and governmental programs. 211 is a one-stop source of information for people looking for services.
Finding Childcare: DHS Childcare For Essential Workforce- Map shows child care availability in Iowa. Iowa Childcare Resource & Referral's Parent Referral Line can be reached at 1-855-CHILD-01.
Healthwell Foundation: T he Health Well Foundation is providing up to $250 assistance to families via phone applications only with costs associated with delivered food, medication, diagnostics, transportation and telehealth as a result of COVID-19 risk or incidence.
Food Bank for the Heartland and Kids Cafe Locations: The mobile pantry program delivers food directly to communities that have a high need but limited food resources. Kids Cafe is one of the nation's largest free-meal service programs for at-risk children. Kids Cafe serves evening meals in partnership with community organizations.
Iowa COVID-19 Legal Advice Hotline: 1-800-332-0419
Homelessness Coordinated Entry Access Point: Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH) has implemented a common, coordinated, and community-wide process of standardized and equal access, assessment, and prioritization of referrals to supportive housing for all homeless individuals and families.

Activities and Resources for Families

Child Mind Institute: The Child Mind Institute website has a thorough list of resources for parents related to children's mental health.
Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks: This fact sheet through SAMHSA provides strategies for helping children manage their stress during an infectious disease outbreak. It describes potential reactions among youth and the support adults can provide to help them.
PBS Kids and PBS Kids for Parents: Explore parent resources to help raise kind, curious and resilient children. Find parenting tips, hands-on activities, games, and apps.
Resources to Support Learning During COVID-19: Linked resources for use by families, educators, and/or students to support enrichment and/or continuity of learning.
Heart Hunters: Heart Hunters is a Facebook group designed to promote social distancing. In short, it encourages parents and children to make hearts and display them in the windows of their homes.
Bear Hunts: Inspired by the book, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt", children and families are going on a scavenger hunt around neighborhoods to discover teddy bears in windows.
Pinwheel Coloring Sheet: Color and hang your own pinwheel in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Making Your Own Pinwheel: Plant your own pinwheel as a happy and uplifting token of childhood.