One Day in Iraq

I found this video while researching my paper.  It beautifully illustrates two important concepts: issue framing and the completely F***ED up priorities our nation has when it comes to where to invest money.

By the way, it was created by a Quaker group that supports human rights.  Go Quakers!

Crafting efficient early intervention programs

Photo credit: Tony Tran

I stumbled on the website for Harvard's Center on the Developing Child while researching my paper and discovered an incredible resource within it.  One of the initiatives they are working on is a meta-analysis of efficacy in early intervention programs.  We've frequently discussed whether or not early intervention or programs such as Head Start/Early Head Start are effective over the long run.  The results of studies have indicated that, in large part, it depends on the program.  Blanket judgments such as "early intervention cannot give children long-term gains in development" are invalid due to the wide variety in program quality.  This initiative seeks to learn what makes a quality program, and how to help programs increase the quality of their care.

They have identified 5 factors:

1.  Small group sizes and high adult : child ratios
2.  Qualified and well-compensated personel
3.  Warm and responsive adult-child interactions
4.  A language-rich environment
5.  Safe physical environment

They have also identified 3 layers of programs to most effectively serve children living in different life conditions:

1.  General health and childcare (for all children)
2.  More broadly supportive programs for low-income families
3.  Targeted, more intensive interventions for children living with 'toxic stress' (drug exposure, foster care system, physical or sexual abuse, violent neighborhoods)

Here is a link to a video that explains this study.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Study

This is the study I mentioned in my last post.  It is such a strong testament to the necessity of infant mental health work in the field.  If nothing else, there exists an economic argument in terms of savings through preventative care.  If early childhood traumas are not addressed, the outcome usually involves multiple, chronic diseases and conditions.

Check out this PDF for a brief, easy to read summary of the work that this study has done and some economic costs of ignoring this issue.

From the ACE website:

What is the ACE Study?
The ACE Study is an ongoing collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention and Kaiser Permanente.  Led by Co-principal Investigators Robert F. Anda, MD, 
MS, and Vincent J. Felitti, MD, the ACE Study is perhaps the largest scientific research study 
of its kind, analyzing the relationship between multiple categories of childhood trauma 
(ACEs), and health and behavioral outcomes later in life.


What's an ACE?
Growing up experiencing any of the following conditions in the household prior to age 18:

1. Recurrent physical abuse
   
2. Recurrent emotional abuse
   
3. Contact sexual abuse
   
4. An alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household
   
5. An incarcerated household member
   
6. Someone who is chronically depressed, mentally ill, institutionalized, or suicidal
   
7. Mother is treated violently
   
8. One or no parents
   
9. Emotional or physical neglect

The link between childhood trauma and adult health

My mom had a 'grandma moment' and clipped this article from her New Yorker to send to me.  As I read it, I literally started pumping my fist in the air in excitement.  It's about a pediatric health clinic in San Francisco, in the Bay View/Hunter's Point neighborhood.  The doctor who runs the clinic, Nadine Burke, understands that trauma in early childhood (whether it be from intra-uterine drug exposure, physical abuse, neglect, parental drug use or violence, or life in a series of foster placements) has physical ramifications later in life.  In fact, a longitudinal research project with thousands of participants done by Kaiser found there to be a very strong link between these factors occurring in early childhood and later development of asthma, heart disease, weight problems, depression, increases in risky behaviors, and earlier deaths.

And she is incorporating infant mental health into her medical practice!  Mind Body Awareness, biofeedback, parent-infant psychotherapy, and meditation/yoga classes are all available through this facility.   Check out the article here.  I want to work here!