POD-Improve Early Detection and Proactive Strategies to Reduce Trauma Experienced by Infants

Return to Improve Early Detection and Proactive Strategies to Reduce Trauma Experienced by Infants

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This content is to help local coalitions develop a good description and From-To Gap.   These samples should be tailored to the local situation and the consensus of the coalition. 

Examples of a Description for this Objective

Research and interventions regarding ACEs and Trauma often start after the most influential period of brain development has passed.  When babies are born into environments where domestic violence or other forms of toxic stress are present (such as being food or housing insecure, homeless or where one of the parents is misusing substances) the brain development and parental attachment are negatively impacted.  This objective focuses on conducting early assessments of the risk of an infant being in a traumatic environment before the trauma occurs, and then intervening in multiple ways to minimize and mitigate the negative influences of that early childhood environment. It is important to identify potential ACEs before they happen so they can be prevented and/or reduced as much as possible. By assessing the risks that a baby will be in a DV or toxic stress environment when the baby is born, steps taken to minimize trauma and start positive interventions earlier.

 

Examples of a From-To Gap

Current State		Desired State
a. Families don’t receive adequate prenatal assessment of risk of infants being born in a high-trauma environment.  Because there is not a proactive strategy to reduce trauma in infants, prevention opportunities are missed and trauma isn’t assessed until a few years after much of the damage is done.		a. Families assessed prenatally for risk of babies being born in situations where trauma is likely.  A proactive set of strategies are implemented to help minimize the trauma and increase the positives so that early brain development and attachment are enhanced.  This is a standard part of pre-natal care.
b. Families don’t receive adequate support to address risk of violence in postpartum period.		b. Families that are identified as having a high risk of violence in the postpartum period get adequate (and prioritized) support to minimize the risk of violence.
c. Father don’t receive enough support to undertake different methods to manage their violence.  As a result, violence is far to common, negatively impacting the infant’s brain development and attachment with the parents.		c. Fathers who are likely to struggle with violent behaviors receive enough support to undertake different methods to manage their violence.
d. Mothers don’t receive enough support to undertake different methods to manage their violence		d.  Mothers in high-risk situations receive enough support to undertake different methods to manage their violence.
e. Most assessments of ACEs happen after a child more than 3 years old, and by then, much of the window of best opportunity for help is passed.		e. Assessment of ACEs and risk of ACEs is done starting prenatally so that there is more time to implement prevention strategies and early interventions.