ECED117_Fall'24_Wk13

Week 13

ECED117 - Family, Community, and School Relationships in a Diverse Society Fall, 2024

Chapter 13 - Creating a Support Network for Families in Crisis

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Activity # 1

Group Work:

In groups consult Case Study 13.1. (pg. 326) Talk about:

1. What are this family’s strengths?
2. Identify the stressors the family is facing.
3. Is it more difficult to find a family’s strengths when they are different from your own? Why? And how can teachers resolve this issue?
4. Discuss strategies a teacher can use to support this family in a respectful and helpful manner.

Respond to the questions on Google Slides. Present it in the class.

Common Family Challenges and Their Impact on Education

Financial Problems

Resources

• Teacher Responses to Financial Problems

Understanding Family Violence

The Impact of Divorce

• Educator Actions for Suspected Family Violence

• Teacher Responses to Divorce

The impact of divorce on children By Tamara D. Tamara Afifi

This video will help you understand the adverse effects of divorce on children and families.

Break

Common Family Challenges and Their Impact on Education

Coping with Loss: Death in the Family or Community

Recognizing Child Maltreatment

• Educator Actions for Suspected Maltreatment

• Teacher Responses to Death in the Family

Impact of Natural Disasters and Acts of Terrorism

Impact of Prenatal Exposure

• Common Stressors for Children

• Behavioral Symptoms by Age

• Classroom Support Strategies

• How Substance Abuse Affects Classroom Behavior?

• Strategies for Teachers

Children's understanding of death at different ages

This video will help you understand Children's understanding of death at different ages.

Assessing Available Resources

Linking Families with School and Community Resources

School-Based Resources

Community-Based Resources

The Role of Families and Teachers

Family Functions and Challenges

Resources Within Schools

Resources in the Community

Examples of Agencies: United Way Directory: Comprehensive service lists. Public Health Department: Health care and education. Mental Health Services: Counseling and crisis shelters. Additional Support:

• Domestic violence shelters, substance abuse support, Parks & Recreation.
• Child welfare agencies, homeless shelters, and vision support (e.g., Lion’s Club).

Key Professionals:

• Counselors, social workers, nurses.
• Special educators, psychologists, behavior specialists.

Support Offered:

• Emotional and behavioral assistance.
• Referrals for specialized services.
• Classroom management support.

Learn referral processes and establish relationships

Family Functions: Provide care, support, identity, and life skills. Impact of Crises: Disrupts functioning, causes stress, and may lead to violence or neglect. Teachers' Role:

• Recognize signs of stress.
• Connect families with resources.
• Support family recovery.

Engaging with Families in Crisis

Building Trust and Offering Support

The Foundation of Support

Effective Communication During Crisis

Referrals and Follow-Up

Building Collaborative Relationships

• Trust develops over time through respectful and caring interactions.
• Strong relationships make crisis intervention easier.
• Importance of cultural sensitivity:

1. Acknowledge historical discrimination. 2. Invest effort to build trust with families from diverse backgrounds.

• Communicating with Families in Crisis
• Common reactions in crises: numbness, fear, helplessness, and shame.
• Key Skills:

1. Be a good listener (probe, paraphrase, clarify) 2. Identify and acknowledge emotions (e.g., “This seems like a very difficult time”). 3. Express genuine care to build trust.

• Avoid judgmental language; use blocking blame strategies.

• Providing Practical Support
• When appropriate, refer families to school or community resources.
• Steps for Effective Referrals:

1. Write down all necessary information for families. 2. Offer follow-up support: check for barriers, assist with appointments, or arrange transportation. Remember: Families cannot be forced to comply with recommendations.

Community and School Service-Delivery Models

The Importance of Community Resource Networks

School–Family–Community Partnerships

Full-Service Community Schools

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Activity # 2

Group Work:

Link Teacher–Family Communication Skills to respond to

1. What are effective ways to invite families to disclose issues to you as a teacher?
2. How will your words or actions help families develop trust with you?
3. What words and actions should you avoid when trying to build trust with families?

Now link Family with School and Community Resources respond to

1. What resources within your school or in your community might be available to you and the families? Do you know how and when to contact them?
2. With what resources might you link Vance’s family?

Web Based Research Project (Key Assessment #1)

This assignment consists of two parts. First, creating a digital poster using Padlet and then its presentation.

Creating a Digital Poster using Padlet: You will use Padlet to develop a digital poster. The poster should aim to inform families and caregivers about a specific need. The needs can include but are not limited to:

• Individuals with special needs (physical, intellectual, emotional, etc.)
• English as a second language resources
• Needs for individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) and others.

The Padlet should be geared primarily toward the needs of the families and caregivers, such as possible education programs, advocacy organizations, respite opportunities, engagement strategies, etc. Each Padlet should include the following:

1. A brief explanation of the specific need.
2. Four websites/resources that are available on the specific need.
3. A brief explanation of each resource that addresses the family and community characteristics.

Presentation: After creating the Digital Poster on Padlet, students will present it by recording a video directly on their poster. The presentation recording should consist of the following;

• introducing the specific need they chose, and then
• talking and showing 2 of the websites out of the 4. Questions to respond to:

What are the websites about? What made you choose them? How can it be beneficial for teachers in informing families and caregivers about a specific need?

1. Each presentation should be around five minutes long.
2. Each student will submit the Padlet Digital Poster along with the presentation on Anthology and D2L.

Anthology

Writing Prompt # 5

Because of your role as a teacher, you must plan how to build support for two children whose families recently immigrated to the United States. You know that the families are struggling economically, and are also trying to learn a new language and culture. How might you support these children and their families?

School and Community Resources Examples of support services:

• PTA funds for field trips
• School counselors and social workers
• Community organizations for food, clothing, and housing
• Importance of linking families to professionals

Supporting Grieving Students

• Acknowledge the loss and listen to the student
• Provide consistent routines as a source of stability
• Refer students to crisis intervention services if needed
• Respect cultural and family grief practices

Definition: Acts of physical, sexual, or psychological maltreatment. Statistics:

• 73% of victims are women; 76% of perpetrators are men.
• Significant risk to children exposed to violence.

Impacts on children: Risk of depression, anxiety, and physical health issues.

• Living in dangerous neighborhoods.
• Financial strain and homelessness.
• Lack of social support systems.
• Neglect, abandonment, or abuse due to parental addiction.
• Chaotic family life

Responding to Suspected Maltreatment

• Build trust by keeping promises.
• Avoid punitive responses to trauma-related behaviors.
• Report concerns based on reasonable facts.
• Follow school policies for reporting to child protective services.

Support and Resources

• School counselors and psychologists.
• Local child protective services.
• National helplines and organizations (e.g., ChildHelp).

National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) (Joyce Epstein)

Structure: Action teams at school, district, or state levels. Goals:

• Redefine family involvement beyond events like PTA meetings.
• Improve childrearing skills and family decision-making roles.
• Coordinate resources and services with community agencies.

Results: Improved academic performance, community engagement, and support for hard-to-reach families.

Comprehensive Support at One Site

Features: High-quality education (individualized instruction, team-teaching, parent involvement). On-site services (health screenings, mental health support, after-school programs). Extended hours and summer operations. Examples:

• Children’s Aid Society Schools: Health and family resource centers.
• University-Assisted Schools: University-community partnerships for community centers.
• Beacon Schools: NYC schools as year-round neighborhood hubs.
• Bridges to Success: United Way’s integrated services, including tutoring and job training.

Factors influencing grief:

• Nature of death (sudden vs. anticipated)
• Relationship with the deceased
• Family and cultural responses to death
• Developmental understanding of death varies by age

• Young children: Thumb sucking, bed-wetting, irritability.
• Older children: Aggression, withdrawal, nightmares.
• Teenagers: Changes in eating/sleeping, irritability.

• Maintain normal schedules and routines.
• Allow children to express feelings through discussion or art.
• Share stories of resilience from other disasters.
• Communicate regularly with parents and share credible resources.

Teachers can help families address stressors that impact children’s education. Collaborative efforts improve:

• Academic and psychosocial development.
• Family well-being and parenting capacity.

Informal and formal relationships with community agencies enhance school support for families.

Similar disruptions to routine:

• Loss of safety, resources, and stability.
• Emotional distress and trauma.

Mothers using drugs/alcohol pass substances to the fetus. Possible effects:

• Birth defects (mental retardation, learning disorders, behavioral problems).
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: 1.3–2.2 per 1,000 live births.
• Other less severe defects: 3–4 per 1,000 live births.

Statistics: Half of first marriages end in divorce (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012) Common impacts on children:

• Emotional stress, confusion, and grief
• Changes in income, home, and routines
• Struggles with loyalty and communication between parents

Definition: Poverty as more than lack of income (Raphael, 2005) Statistics: 19% of American children lived in poverty in 2010 (Children’s Defense Fund, 2011) Effects on children:

• Acting out or withdrawal
• Limited extracurricular activities
• Embarrassment over social status items
• Inappropriate clothing for weather

Types of maltreatment: Neglect, physical, sexual, emotional, medical neglect, etc. Effects on children: Trust issues, social difficulties, hyperactivity, or inattention. Indicators

• Fearfulness or hypervigilance.
• Unexplained injuries or inappropriate behavior for age.
• Poor hygiene, hunger, or inappropriate clothing.
• Avoidance of authority figures or anxiety about being picked up.

Supporting Students Experiencing Divorce

• Acknowledge the situation privately
• Maintain stable classroom routines
• Avoid taking sides between parents
• Refer to counselors for ongoing emotional struggles

• Signs teachers may observe:
• Sleepiness, disorganization, daydreaming, aggression.
• Acting "older than their years" or as caretakers.

Supporting Students in Financial Distress

• Be sensitive to costs of school activities
• Avoid embarrassing discussions of financial struggles
• Consult counselors/social workers for community resources
• Recognize family strengths to build self-worth

• Maintain a consistent schedule and rules.
• Provide a stable and positive classroom environment.
• Treat the child equitably to ensure normalcy.
• Be organized, consistent, and compassionate.

Steps for Addressing Family Violence

• Prioritize safety in all interactions.
• Maintain up-to-date restraining orders and custody decrees.
• Respect confidentiality and handle disclosures delicately.
• Monitor children closely during high-risk times (e.g., post-separation).