There is no doubt that today's economy has put a strain on several aspects of life. How has the current state of our economy affected you as an early childhood provider? Are the families of the children you serve also under stress? Have you noticed a change in behavior in the children at your site?

The Foundation for Child Development has released their 2009 Child Well-Being Index Report. The FCD Child Well-Being Index (CWI) is an annual comprehensive measure of how children are faring in the United States. It is based on a composite of 28 Key Indicators of well-being that are grouped into seven Quality-of-Life/Well-Being Domains.

Included in this year's report is a special focus on what the impact of the 2008-2010 recession will be on children. This is the first-ever report on the impact of the current recession on the overall health, well-being and quality of life of America's children. It finds that the downturn will virtually undo all progress made in children's economic well-being since 1975.

How does the 2009 Child Well-Being Index Report affect you? The economy has put stress on the families of children you work with every day. Stress can correlate to the way in which a parent takes care of his or her child. As a result, that same child may suffer the same amount of stress causing impact on his or her well-being.

What can you do as an early childhood provider to help the children and families who are currently experiencing an increase of stress? The American Federation of Teachers has compiled some helpful resources to help you in reaching out to parents and families of the children you educate.

• National Association of School Psychologists
  http://www.nasponline.org/index.aspx 
  The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is the premier source of knowledge, professional development, and resources, empowering school psychologists to ensure that all children and youth attain optimal learning and mental health. NASP has developed several resources of information for educators  and families. Below is a brief listing of available resources:
  • Supporting Children's Mental Health: Tips for Parents and Educators
  • Stress in Children and Adolescents: Tips for Parents 
  • Helping Children Cope in Unsettling Times: Tips for Parents and Educators 
    
• Kids Health
  http://kidshealth.org/parent/ 
  KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years. As part of The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, KidsHealth also provides families with perspective, advice, and comfort about a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral issues that affect children and teens. Below is a brief listing of available resources:
  • Childhood Stress
  • Helping Kids Cope with Stress
  • Helping Kids Handle Worry
  • The 10 Kids' Health Issues to Watch in 2009
  • Dealing With Financial Turmoil
    
• Keeping Pee Dee Kids Safe at Home
  www.peedeecoalition.org/safe/index.html
  Keeping Pee Dee Kids Safe at Home is a community awareness project located in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. It is sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse Pee Dee, a program of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault. This project is designed to focus on the prevention of the maltreatment of children, ages 0-3. Its overall goal is to increase the community's understanding of its role in the prevention of child maltreatment. Visit their Web site for parenting information and materials.