Webinar Presentation Child Welfare and Pandemics Friday April 3, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ISPCAN COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES

Child Welfare and Pandemics: What We Know and What We Can Do

Webinar Presentation

Child Welfare and Pandemics Friday April 3, 2020 10:00 a.m. MDT / 12:00 p.m. EDT https://www.ispcan.org/

Child Welfare and Pandemics

D R . B A R B A R A FA L LO N 1 D R . D E L P H I N E C O L L I N - V É Z I N A 2 D R . S T E V E N M I L L E R 3 D R . M A R I N A S I S TOVA R I S 1

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Policy Bench Co-Leads:

Barbara Fallon, Ph.D. Professor Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto Steven Miller, M.D. Head of Neurology Division of Neurology The Hospital for Sick Children

Policy Bench Advisory Committee:

Catherine Birken, M.D. Staff Pediatrician Pediatric Medicine The Hospital for Sick Children Jennifer Jenkins, Ph.D Professor Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development University of Toronto Faye Mishna, Ph.D. Professor Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto Avram Denburg, M.D. Staff Oncologist and Clinical Scientist The Hospital for Sick Children Joel Levine, Ph.D. Professor Department of Biology University of Toronto Marla Sokolowski, Ph.D. Professor Department of Cell and Systems Biology University of Toronto Barbara Fallon, Ph.D. Professor Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto Steven Miller, M.D. Head of Neurology The Hospital for Sick Children Suzanne Stewart, Associate Professor Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto

Principal Researcher:

Marina Sistovaris, Ph.D. Research Associate Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto

Policy Bench Committee

• The Policy Bench is an initiative of the Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development (FMIHD).
• Dr. J. Fraser Mustard (1927-2011) galvanized the international community with his belief that

interventions in the early years of life offer unparalleled potential for improved quality of life.

• The FMIHD honours Dr. Mustard’s legacy through key initiatives such as the Policy Bench that

support the University of Toronto academic community by providing transdisciplinary

• pportunities for collaboration and knowledge mobilization in the area of human development.
• The Policy Bench brings together leaders at the University of Toronto and SickKids with

transdisciplinary expertise from an array of academic disciplines─ranging from health, psychology, education, economics and medical sciences─to support optimal human development and health equity across the life course, from the early years into adulthood. This involves the synthesis, creation and dissemination of knowledge designed to assist decision makers, practitioners and relevant stakeholders in making evidence based policy decisions that improve outcomes for children and youth.

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

POLICY BENCH Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

1. Methodology 2. The Dynamics of a Pandemic 3. COVID-19 Pandemic

4. A Socio-Ecological Approach to Child Protection During Pandemics

5. Leading Child Protection Risks During Pandemics, UNICEF 6. Emerging COVID-19 Concerns: A Child Welfare Perspective from the U.S. 7. Policy Implications: Designing Appropriate Child Protection Strategies 8. Concluding Remarks

Presentation Overview

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Introduction Child Welfare and Pandemics: Literature Scan

• Literature scan was conducted on the topic of child welfare and

pandemics, focused on potential policy solutions that could mitigate the impact on children in the care of Canada’s child welfare system.

• Document available online: https://cwrp.ca/publications/child-welfare-

and-pandemics-literature-scan

• Brief summary also available online: https://cwrp.ca/publications/child-

welfare-and-pandemics-information-sheet

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

• Search Time Frame: Literature search conducted between March 16, 2020 and March 19,

2020.

• Search Keywords/Phrases: pandemics; COVID-19; children; policy; mitigation
• List of keywords/search terms was developed by examining: abstracts; government

documents; and subject headings and phrases.

• Throughout the search process, keywords/search terms were added, deleted or modified as

different terms were discovered to improve the search strategy.

• Data Sources: peer-reviewed journals found in electronic databases; internet based grey

literature

Methodology

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

 Global disease outbreak.  Compared to an outbreak or epidemic, a pandemic:  affects a wider geographical area, often worldwide;  infects a greater number of people than an epidemic;  is often caused by a new virus or a strain of virus is wider in scope because humans usually have little to no immunity against it;  spreads quickly from person-to-person worldwide;  causes much higher numbers of deaths than epidemics; and  creates social disruption, economic loss, and general hardship.1

The Dynamics of a Pandemic

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

COVID-19 Pandemic

Origin: Wuhan, China (2019)2 Pandemic Status: March 11, 2020 declared pandemic by World Health Organization3 Description: highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection caused SARS-CoV-22 Symptoms: flu-like symptoms, cough, fever, can be asymptomatic4 Countries Affected: 200 countries and territories (as of March 30, 2020)4 Infected: 785,712 (as of March 30, 2020)4 Recovered: 165,606 (as of March 30, 2020)4 Deaths: 37,814 (as of March 30, 2020)4 Mortality Rate: 3.4% (as of March 30, 2020)4

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Socio-Ecological Impact of COVID-1918

Heightened risks to child of abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation, psychological distress and negative impact on development Breakdown of trust; Competition over scarce resources; Limited access to community support services, education and play spaces Family separation, reduced access to social supports, caregiver distress, heightened risk of violence/domestic abuse Disruption to livelihood; Disrupted family connections and support; Fear of the disease Erosion of social capital; Disruption or limited access to basic services Stigma against certain groups Child ld Family mily Comm mmunity ity Soc

• cie

iety Soc

• cio

iocultu tural al Norms ms

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Leading Child Protection Risks During Pandemics, UNICEF7

Neglect and Lack of Parental Care Mental Health and Psychosocial Distress Increased Exposure to Violence, Including Sexual Violence, Physical and Emotional Abuse

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

• Increase in Maltreatment Cases
• Poor Nutrition
• Decrease in Home Services
• Reduced Availability of Substance Use Disorders Programs
• Reduced Visitation and Reunification Services
• Delays in Court Appearances/Proceedings
• Decreased Protection of Youth with Pre-Existing Conditions
• Foster Parent Employment
• Possible Spike in “Re-Placement” Needs
• Health of Elder Caregivers
• Outbreaks at Institutional Settings
• Displaced Foster Youth Living on College Campuses5

Emerging COVID-19 Concerns: A Child Welfare Perspective from the U.S.

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Policy Implications: Designing Appropriate Child Protection Strategies

• Increased Coordination and

Collaboration

• Child Specific Programming
• Residential Care
• Strengthening Child Welfare Systems

Before, During and After Pandemics8,9

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Increased Coordination and Collaboration8,9

Child Protection Food Security Livelihoods Education Health Nutrition Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Shelter

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Child Specific Programming

• Individual and Group

Activities for Child Well Being

• Strengthening Family and

Caregiving Environments

• Community-Level

Approaches

• Case Management
• Alternative Care8,9

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Residential Care

• Youth living in residential facilities

have a high risk of infection with viruses because of communal living arrangements.

• Children and youth with pre-existing

health conditions are at a heightened risk of infection.

• Pandemic plans should include

measures:

• for dealing with the need to

quarantine youth or staff;

• for large relocation of children; and
• with agreed-upon medical centers

to take children to in an emergency situation.10,11,12

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Strengthening Child Welfare Systems: Be Befor

• re a Pandemic
• When formulating a plan, child welfare agencies should take into

consideration how they will:

• identify, locate, and continue the availability of services for children

under care or supervision who are displaced or adversely affected;

• respond to new child welfare cases in areas adversely affected by a

disaster, and provide services in those cases;

• remain in communication with caseworkers and other essential child

welfare personnel who are displaced;

• preserve essential program records; and
• coordinate services and share information with other levels of

government.13

• Plans should ensure that critical infrastructure is in place to allow for:

the coordination with key players; the communication of vital information; and the preparation of staff, families, youth, and service providers.14

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Strengthening Child Welfare Systems: Durin ring g a Pandemic

• Effective implementation of a

pandemic plan requires:

• good management of

resources, essential functions and assigned roles;

• coordination with key

partners;

• communication of vital

information; and

• access to critical information

systems by staff.15

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Strengthening Child Welfare Systems: Af After er a Pandemic

• The period after a pandemic

provides an opportunity for child welfare agencies to:

• assess experiences;
• revise plans; and
• rebuild stronger and more

effective systems.16

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Concluding Remarks

• Children in care are at a heightened risk of harm from not only the current COVID-19 pandemic, but in many cases,

from government policies being implemented to contain the pandemic.

• Pandemics can significantly limit the capacity of public agencies to operate and provide services and supports to

populations during a period of heightened demand and uncertainty.

• Early feedback from key stakeholders—children, youth, parents, foster and adoptive parents, caseworkers,

probation officers, judges and others—suggests system resources and capacity are under considerable pressure as agencies and child protection workers struggle to provide services and supports to clients.

• Child welfare systems and agencies, require policy makers to formulate, articulate and implement child protection

strategies that: allow for and encourage increased coordination across all sectors that involve children in care; build

• n the strengths and positive coping mechanisms of communities, families, caregivers and children; address the

challenges of highly vulnerable populations such as youth in residential care; and provide for the required resources and supports to function not only during a pandemic but also in pre- and post-pandemic environments.

• It is especially important for child welfare agencies responsible for vulnerable populations to ensure continuity of

care during this period.

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Acronyms

COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease 2019 SARS-CoV-2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund US United States WHO World Health Organization

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Resources: Websites

Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal https://cwrp.ca/ Government of Canada COVID-19 Updates https://www.canada.ca/en/public- health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus- infection.html Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services http://www.children.gov.on.ca/ Government of Ontario COVID-19 Updates https://covid-19.ontario.ca/index.html SickKids Hospital COVID-19 Information http://www.sickkids.ca/VisitingSickKids/Infection- Prevention-and-Control/Infection-Prevention-and- Control.html Social Work Blog https://www.socialwork.career/2020/03/covid-19- resources-social-workers-therapists.html

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Resources: Publications

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Coping Strategies for Youth with a History of Complex Trauma (Report) https://www.attachment-and-trauma-treatment-centre-for- healing.com/uploads/4/0/5/4/4054075/covid- 19_coping_stragies_for_youth_complex_trauma_survivors_an d_their_caregivers_foundation_trust.pdf Trauma Informed Approach to Teaching (Newspaper Article) https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/03/26/tr auma-informed-approach-teaching-through-coronavirus- students-everywhere-online-or-not/ Trauma Informed Care (Presentation Slides) https://www.socialwork.career/2017/09/trauma-talking-not- enough.html

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Endnotes

1 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (n.d.). Outbreaks, Epidemics And Pandemics—What You Need To Know.

Arlington, Virginia: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (No page). Retrieved from https://apic.org/monthly_alerts/outbreaks-epidemics-and-pandemics-what-you-need-to-know/

2 Shereen, M.A., Khan, S., Kazmi, A. et al. (2020). “COVID-19 Infection: Origin, Transmission, and Characteristics of Human Coronaviruses,”

Journal of Advanced Research, 24: 91-98. (Page 91). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2020.03.005

3 Bedford, J., Enria, D., Giesecke, J. et al. (2020). “Comment: COVID-19: Towards Controlling of a Pandemic. Comment.,” The Lancet, 395

(10229): 1015-1018, (Page 1015). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30673-5

4 Worldometer. (2020). COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. (31 March), (No page). Retrieved from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ 5 Kelly, J. and Hansel, H. (2020). “Coronavirus: What Child Welfare Systems Need to Think About,” The Chronicle of Social Change, (11 March),

(No page). Retrieved from https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/coronavirus-what-child-welfare-systems-need-to-think- about/41220

6 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. (2019b). Technical Note: Protection Of Children During The Coronavirus Pandemic,

Version 1. (March). Pages 1-2. Retrieved from https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/the_alliance_covid_19_brief_version_1.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=37184

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Endnotes

7 United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. (n.d.). Child Protection Emergency Preparedness and Response Guidance to The

COVID-19. Page 1. New York, New York: UNICEF. Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/s/o0l2rmzyhipqwbk/EAPR%20CP%20Preparedness%20and%20Response%20to%20COVID-19.pdf?dl=0

8 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. (2019a). Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. Retrieved from

https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/cpms_2019_final_en.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=35094

9 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action(2019b). Technical Note: Protection Of Children During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Version

• 1. (March). Retrieved from

https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/the_alliance_covid_19_brief_version_1.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=37184

10 Fecteau, O. (2020). “Foster Care Children at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic,” News5, (19 March), (No page). Retrieved from

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/coronavirus/foster-care-children-at-risk-during-covid-19-pandemic

11 Kelly, J. and Hansel, H. (2020). “Coronavirus: What Child Welfare Systems Need to Think About,” The Chronicle of Social Change, (11 March),

(No page). Retrieved from https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-welfare-2/coronavirus-what-child-welfare-systems-need-to-think- about/41220

12 Hyslop, K. (2020). “People in Group Homes: What Is Government Doing to Keep Them Safe?,” The Tyeee. (19 March), (No page). Retrieved

from https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/03/19/Few-Specific-COVID-19-Youth-In-Care-Measures-Group-Homes/

POLICY BENCH, FRASER MUSTARD INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Endnotes

13 Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2016). Disaster Planning For Child Welfare Agencies. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services, Children’s Bureau. Page 2. Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/disasterplanning.pdf

14 O’Brien, M., Webster, S. and Herrick, A. (2007). Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies.

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pages 3-29. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=480685

15 O’Brien, M., Webster, S. and Herrick, A. (2007). Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies.

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pages 30-37. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=480685

16 O’Brien, M., Webster, S. and Herrick, A. (2007). Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies.

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pages 2, 38-42. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=480685

17 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. No page. Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/publichealthissue/social-ecologicalmodel.html

18 Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. (2019b). Technical Note: Protection of Children during the Coronavirus Pandemic,

Version 1. (March). Page 2. Retrieved from https://alliancecpha.org/system/tdf/library/attachments/the_alliance_covid_19_brief_version_1.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=37184