Evidence Based Intervention is a good idea

Image by Brad Heckman

Last night I sat down with one of my favorite community leaders. She was spit-firing about “what a difference a social work intervention would make for a family with young children who self-discloses, they are in crisis and need help could make.”

I played devil’s advocate, that ‘having a social worker offer therapeutic sessions and case management’ costs money, energy, liability. Basically, a major program with tons of effort. And it’s got to be tailored to the community, culture. And consistent.

She mentioned the studies done in Michigan. So here I am looking it up. The Perry School Project in the 1960s had a radical vision, high intervention, high quality care with the participants as early as preschool.

I’m a direct service provider of adults, what does this have to do with me, you say?

Oh these children in the study are now in their 50s.

And doing incredible.

Turns out you teach a man to fish, he feeds his children, and they all grow up healthy and happy, stable, educated with a two-spouse house and consistent income. Hmm.

Now I’m on board.

Can we have Perry School level care in this area where I live and practice?

Where were these services for the folks I'm receiving in the emergency room with asthma, diabetes, anxiety, substance use, income inequality, lack of healthcare now?

And what about the kids in their house today?

Are we just handing this problem down to the next generation?

I’m not sure how early intervention got to be a political topic. Its bigger than – but yes includes Pre-K for everybody.  What if disrupting the adverse childhood experience loop in communities began with home visits? Life skills? A well-paid professional who is kind and ready to be with folks during crisis. Not a grumpy burnt-out contractor who is looking to take your kids away.

Could be more than a dream. As an inheritor of nerds in early childhood development (my mother a 30+ year preschool teacher and grandmother an elementary school educator until retirement) I want health for the adults as well as kids in my life.

Reader, let’s start rethinking the “you're on your own” conversation.

Here’s an emergency room social worker for crisis response in more places than here. Especially where the youngest among us begin this wild ride.

-M

Thank you CA Public Health and ACES AWARE for this great video series for stress busters with Sandra Valdes-Lopez. Give it a visit, adults!

Stress Buster Video Series Link