3.10 Supporting Homeless Children (Community Partnership)

Community Partnerships

Why are we concerned?

Homeless children are four times more likely to show delayed development

Twice as likely to have learning disabilities as non-homeless children

Sick four times more often than other children Four times more respiratory infections Twice as many ear infections Five times more gastrointestinal problems Four times more likely to have asthma

The National Center on Family Homelessness (1999). Homeless Children: America’s New Outcasts. Newton, MA.

What We Have Done

Determine areas of concern Gather Information

-workshops-gather research data

Look in your community -where’s the expertise-who can help you develop and implement

Look to your team

Partnerships that Work

To Enhance Knowledge, Skills, Services Staff therapists: Occupational Therapy (OT) and Music Therapy Community Therapy organizations: Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy Pediatric Audiologist: Volunteer for hearing screens Dental Services: Ronald McDonald Care Mobile ®

University of Minnesota

-Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program

-Center for Early Childhood Development

Zero-to-Three-National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families

Health and Development Screening Goals

Support and strengthen parent/child relationship

Identify and build on family strengths to build rapport and encourage change

Educate parents on child development

Provide opportunities for parent/child interactions that stimulate child development

Connect families with access to early childhood programs in the community

Help families Identify and address health and/or development issues

Support parent in community referrals

Attention to medical needs of children

Community resource connection

DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENS

Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition- Screening Test

-1 to 42 months First Step Screening Test for Evaluating

Preschoolers (also Spanish Edition-Primer Paso) - 33 months to 5 years 8 months Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor

Proficiency-2 (short form screen) - 4 years to 21 years Administered by occupational therapists Within first month of attendance

DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENS

Developmental Screen Outcomes

204 developmental screens 94% needed further diagnostic

assessment and/or intervention services (up from 77% the previous year)

35% short term therapy45% long term therapy20% significant delays need ongoing therapy

VISION SCREENS

Completed by occupational therapists Developed in collaboration with

community pediatric optometrist Completed for children 3 and older, this

information is valuable:- for families to remediate problems early- for children referred for occupational therapy services

VISION SCREENS

Vision Screens Outcomes

63% of children in the In-Center programs were referred for vision screen

30% of those children needed a follow-up screen or community referral

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile ® The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides cost-effective, high-quality

dental care directly to underserved children in Minnesota. A 40-foot, 26,000 pound vehicle built specifically to deliver pediatric dental services, the Care Mobile features two dental operatories and a welcoming reception area.

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Dental Services include: Regular cleanings Fluoride treatments Sealants X-Rays Fillings Extractions Education on proper dental care

Dental Screens & Restorative Care

Dental Screen Outcomes

Dental services were also available to siblings and mothers under 21 years

In the past 8 months, dental screens provided to 101 individuals

82 or 81% required follow-up services-71% received follow-up services on site-10% referred to community due to extensive needs

HEARING SCREENS

Administered by community pediatric audiologist

Hearing Screens Outcomes

77% of children in the In-Center programs were screened

46% of those children screened that needed followup

Medical surveillance

Intake: if medical history reveals any condition that affects care/safety then we need more information 66% of children in our In-Center Programs have

medical conditions that require surveillance Signed release so therapist can collaborate with

medical providers Child staffings Relationship with parents

Approach – Relationship Based

Relationship is the key to developing comprehensive programming

Keep parents informed, follow-up after community referral

Barriers To Developing Community Partnerships

Financial-creative

Time-investigating possibilities & managing ongoing relationships

Space

Equipment

Limited number of clinics who receive MA clients

Ultimate Goal

•Providing children with the skills they need to be successful with future academic challenges and building new relationshipswith peers and adults as they enter kindergarten