Child & Family Workgroup Meeting Minutes

January 23, 2015

Present: Colleen O”Brien (BHN), Anna Morrell (Children’s Study Home), Lee MacKinnon (Children’s Trust), Tom Colo (CSO), Manolita Borrero (DCF), Gilberto Quiles (DCF), Lori Chaves (HCS Headstart), Le Maynard (Kiwanis), Melissa Burrage (Springfield Public Schools), Cindy Recoulle (Race to the Top), Marie Peirent (Thom), Joan Lowbridge-Sisley (Partners for a Healthier Community), Maria Curtin-McKenna (Square One).

COMMON THEMES

I. Challenges/Questions

A. Members still feel confused about what we (this workgroup and whole project) are doing

What is desired outcome?

Many ideas/directions we could go in. What does it make sense for usto focus on?

For example: Addressing any of the following could have an effect onreducing toxic stress: postpartum depression, neglect, trauma

B. This is large issue. It will take longer than end date of grant to:

1. Create a project that has collective impact:

Joan shared: Collective Impact projects are data driven.

We don’t have time to collect data.

2. Build consensus:

Cindy shared:Race to Toptook 3 years of meetings to build

consensus on goals.

3. Have a Springfield city-wide commitment

City Hall presence absent in the Collaborative

C. Can members of this group maintain commitment to this group beyond end of grant?

We discussed members’ reasons for committing to project

(e.g., supervisory directive, professional, personal).

Could this group continue its work?

With what resources?

If this group does not make progress, individuals will find it harder to justify

continued participation.

II. Face 2 Face: There’s no app for that

A. Comments/Critiques of message

Members wondered if this is definitely the umbrella message. (Maria will discuss w/ Core Team)

Mixed reviews on the message:

Some members said they do not think it promotes resilienceor decreases toxic stress.

Some members said it is a “nice” message but will not achieve goal

When seen out of context, will it convey the meaning we want it to have?

Can we test it?

B. Possible adaptations for use with our audience

Face2Face + link to resources

What are the resources?

Face2Face relationship

If message is about relationship, then is it best delivered w/in relationship

to be effective? (e.g. High St. Pediatrics project)

III. Project ideas

  1. High St. Pediatrics – Different types of films on a continuous loop in waiting room

All High St. staff received trauma-informed training

Joan shared: There might be a studio @ Baystate to make small film.

This model might be used in other locations (e.g. WIC office).

Gilberto and Manolita shared: DCF office could not utilize

(TV and posters would not last in the waiting room)

B. Trauma is large issue. Greatest impact on reducing trauma may be to create:

1. Trauma-informed commitment @ each place where parents

of young children are engaged. Use programs/resources for parents that

already exist(e.g. Zero2three, NCTSN, MotherWoman)

2. Share our knowledge with our peers.

3. Encourage trauma-informed training of all staff

(Community workgroup is working on this initiative.)

C. Resource access

1.Create linkages between each other’s services

2. Create resource access tool and maintain it.

(e.g. Website, Springfield City Hall HHR, etc.)

D. Care for the caregiver

1. Show film on parent self-care topics: Care for yourself to care for your child

Follow-up with resources and access info. (See “C” above).

Message + relationship: View the message and talk to someone

Message needs to have different configurations of families – Keep multiple focus

For example: female, male, young, grandparent, reflect the cultures of Spfld)

2. Possible topics for self-care/education - postpartum depression, violence, abuse

IV. We did not reach agreementon a project. Group members voiced frustration and recommendations:

  • There are 3 workgroups. Stay focused on our audience – Parents/caregivers & children
  • We will continue to get stuck/spin our wheels if we expect 1 project to be a perfect fit (i.e. solve the problem of toxic stress, postpartum depression, neglect, violence, or to be the perfect choice for promoting resilience).
  • We should not try to solve the big problem. Decide on 1 focus, start something, and build.
  • Decide on 1 or 2 projects
  • Start with a small project and test it out.

End goal – A community that cares about family

Before the next meeting:

Some members offered to research websites for materials (e.g. brochures) that may be used by parents

Topic/ResourceGroup members

Trauma Lori & Colleen

Perinatal DepressionMarie & DV

Zero2threeJoan

DPHMaria (Kate Roper)

NeglectJoan

Next meeting: February 17 9:00 – 10:30am @ High St. Pediatrics