Nassau Thrives offers assistance to early care and education settings impacted by Superstorm Sandy at no cost.
Nassau Thrives Offers Assistance to Early Care and Education Settings Impacted by Superstorm Sandy at No Cost.
WHAT:
It’s been almost two years since Superstorm Sandy hit Long Island. For many, the recovery has been slow. Children between the ages of zero to five experience, comprehend and process traumatic events differently than older children. Young children exposed to trauma in natural and other disasters can experience both short term developmental problems as well as long-term effects on their physical and social/emotional well-being.
Nassau Thrives (includes a partnership between the Adelphi University Institute for Parenting, Child Care Council of Nassau and Docs For Tots) will address specifically the impact of a traumatic event like Hurricane Sandy on young children and how teachers and child care providers can best support and care for young children and their families, during and after a traumatic event.
More than 50 child care providers from various centers and agencies will be at the launch and training on Friday & Saturday. Some of the groups participating: Freeport Christian Academy, Long Beach Youth & Family Services, Harmonie Daycare, Highchairs and Homework, and Miss Pat’s Quality Child Care, among others.
A major component of the program is reaching parents, teachers and child care centers by executing a book project entitled “I’m Here For You Now” that was originally created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina for the purpose of building resilience in children in the aftermath of a natural disaster. The book initiative provides an opportunity to talk about fears and worries in children and helps clear up misconceptions that young children might have regarding a natural disaster, and ways to create a calm and safe place for children. To begin, two of the hardest hit communities from Sandy, Freeport and Long Beach, have already committed to the book project. Others to follow. A team of clinicians (7) from the Adelphi University Institute for Parenting will lead outreach efforts and work directly with the schools and child care centers to identify children who may be at risk and some of the needs right now; implement the book project; and ultimately help guide families, parents and young children through a process of recovery.
The project is funded through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services Superstorm Sandy Block Grant.
WHEN:
October 10 and 11, 2014
WHERE:
Adelphi University, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY. Friday in Campbell Lounge in the Center for Recreation and Sports. Saturday in the Ruth S. Harley University Center Ballroom (second floor).
SCHEDULE:
October 10
6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.: Introductions
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.: Training: Focus on trauma and young children and what a traumatic event like Hurricane Sandy does to young children developmentally and from a social/emotional perspective. Participants will be asked to draw and discuss their experience as well as impact from the hurricane.
October 11
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Training Continues
10:30 a.m.-12:00 Noon: Concrete examples of how to soothe distressed children who may be showing their distress through a wide variety of behaviors. Role play exercise.
12:00 Noon-2:30 p.m.: Launch and Introduction of the Book Project: “I’m Here For You Now.” Preparedness training will address what to do if an emergency happens while children are in attendance at the child care center, including security and safety procedures and how best to prepare for future emergencies.
3:00p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Problem solve difficult case studies. Employing stress reduction methods.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director
p – 516.237.8634
e – twilson@adelphi.edu