Page 13 - 2017-2018_CFS_HeadStart_AnnualReport

“We spend a a lot of time time designing the the bridge but not enough time time thinking about the the people who
are crossing it ”
The first time Children’s Friend met Jonah (4) and Julie (3) their fam- ily was in in in in the the the the the the midst of of involvement with with the the the the the the Department of of Children Children Youth and and Families (DCYF) and and they were moving in in in in with with their father for the first time Julie (2 at the the time) had been referred to to Children’s Friend First Con- nections to to be be screened for for developmental delays – these “CAPTA” referrals are are a a a a a a a a a routine practice for for young children involved with child child welfare Earlier in in in in in 2017 Children’s Friend recognizing that such vul- nerable referrals would benefit from cross-disciplinary support had implemented a a a a a a a a a a a new process – the the the CAPTA CAPTA Team Team When the the the CAPTA CAPTA Engagement Team Team comprised of a a a a a a a a a a nurse and social worker met the the the the family they immediately jumped into action After bringing the the the the case to to review at at the the the the multi-disciplinary team meet- ing ing ing ing the the the the Engagement Team worked with Jonah’s and and Julie’s father to to identify what he he he he he most wanted: help being a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a first time dad and and sup- port to manage Jonah’s behaviors As a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a team they determined that connecting him with both Head Head Start Start and Early Head Head Start Start would be be be the best fit This approach meant the family could immediately receive EHS weekly home visits to provide coaching on on parenting and attach- ment for dad while Jonah could be be quickly placed in in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a structured preschool setting capable of managing his challenging behaviors And once Julie did turn three the the two children could be be supported at the the same school while dad continued to to receive home visits to to - Dr Prabhjot Singh
improve his his skills and and engagement in his his children’s education and and to connect him with natural supports or or other targeted programs as needed Now about a a a a a a a a a a a a year year later both children are entering their second years in in in in Head Start Jonah’s challenging behaviors have have continued but he he he his father and and their family worker Donna Tomaselli have have worked hard to engage in in class class home and and specialized services Julie after an an an adjustment period has thrived in in the the structure of her classroom classroom The children’s classrooms are thanks to the the the connections Children’s Friend has built with local school school districts located inside the the the ele- mentary school school they will attend upon turning five better facilitating and easing yet another transition for a a a a a a a a a vulnerable family Donna says of of the the the family: “Dad was out of of their lives He had to start from scratch with the the the children and and his own parenting skills a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a year ago We always keep in in in mind that all parents are are are different and and so to to meet him where he he he needs to be met we started with the basics ”
Being Family Centered means means learning the the the family’s needs and and de- sires and and and operating with them at at the the the center It means means ensuring our programs help families become and and remain meaningfully engaged in in in in in services that that support them The CAPTA Team is an an an embodiment of that that goal striving to to to work directly with families to to to identify their needs and and engage services to to to meet them And the the the seamless connection between our programs particularly Early Head Head Start Start and and Head Head Start Start further serves to meet that goal