Supportive Systems & Communities
Since the very moment we’re born as babies we use and are placed in contact with many systems and services in our surrounding environment throughout our lifetimes. There is often a specific process required in accessing these services, along with certain rules, regulations, or policies that may need to be followed. Recent studies by Dr. Robert Anda of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Dr. Jack Shonkoff of the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, dive into the idea that most of the current systems and services in place today simply do not consider the impact of toxic childhood experiences with high levels of adversity on an individual’s lifetime. Additionally, early childcare policy and practices are crafted with only the standard child in mind – without considering those children whose brain development might be hindered by chronic stress and adversity.
The idea presented by both experts is that systems, policies, programs, and services, should be reorganized and structured in a way that enables more protective factors for those at-risk children. Doing so will significantly improve their chances of success in their lifetimes and also make their day-to-day experiences with the environment/other people a lot smoother. Dr Anda specifically communicates how it is those individuals who experienced toxic stress and adversity in their childhoods that would be most suited to informing those policy and system changes; moreover, how the current stigma of “what’s wrong with you” needs to be removed - with the explanation of “what’s happened to you” being promoted and addressed. Overall, the goal is that with a more supportive community and environment, this will help kickstart more confidence and hope within those individuals who may be struggling.
In terms of improving early childhood policies and practices, Dr. Shonkoff presents some specific areas we can directly put our focus into. Working to expand the capacity of our adult caregivers is one area of focus that has been highlighted. Enhancing knowledge and employability for a greater presence of economic stability is another topic he addresses, and finally, strengthening our families and communities is also discussed. These ideas will not only work at reducing the overall instances of toxic stress and adversity in the lives of children, but will also help improve adult capability of minimizing the effects and duration when these instances do arise.
Sources:
Potts Family Foundation. (2018, March 29). Dr. Robert Anda | Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/d67ZcbdAr0Q
Shonkoff, J. (2021). A New Model for Building Resilience in Children & Families. [Video]. AFWI. https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/resources/video/leveraging-science-to-advance-the-frontiers-of-innovation-in-early-childhood-policy-and-practice