Strength of Rural Health to Impact Childhood Abuse and Neglect
Universal screenings help medical providers identify, address, and make referrals to effective community-based services to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, MyMichigan Health has implemented the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model in rural communities in Northern Michigan. SEEK aims to strengthen families, support parents and parenting, and thereby promote children’s health, development, wellbeing and safety. SEEK was developed out of the University of Maryland by Dr. Howard Dubowitz who presented his findings on the model at the World Health Organization Conference. It is implemented in 29 states in the US as well as in Sweden and Italy and is listed as an enhanced primary care program by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The SEEK approach begins with the health care professional asking the parent/caregiver to complete a questionnaire that helps identify stressors or challenges parents may be experiencing that are associated with an increased risk for child abuse and neglect. These include parental depression, anxiety, substance use, partner violence, food insecurity and harsh discipline. Parents who are experiencing challenges are invited to work with the provider to identify strategies and supports to help resolve or manage the identified stressor or challenges. A parent handout is provided with important and brief information that includes national hotlines and contacts for local organizations with good parent resources. A referral may be placed to licensed counselors/therapists or other community agencies so the identified concerns can be addressed.
Imagine the positive outcomes for children if families who are experiencing stressors are identified and supported earlier, at well-child visits. What if a parent or caregiver felt safe enough to self-identify problematic substance use, partner violence, stress, depression or food insecurity? What if support and skill building were put in place before any child was put at risk? What if a parent had access to the support necessary to create a healthy nurturing environment for the children in their home? MyMichigan Health, Community Mental Health, Department of Health and Human Services and many other community agencies are working together to create a strong network of support to address issues which increase the risk for child maltreatment.
All families want to flourish. Let’s face it, being a parent is hard and families are more stressed than ever. Some of the stresses that parents are feeling revolve around not having enough to eat, struggling with sobriety, feeling lonely or sad or experiencing stress in a relationship. We want to ensure families that we are centering our care around them, supporting what they need, strengthening their family and thereby supporting their child’s health, development and safety.
Health care professionals are essential partners in protecting children as well as providing critical expertise in responding to family stressors that can lead to childhood trauma. Providers are not only concerned with specific organ systems, genetics and biological processes, but also with social determinants of health and mental wellbeing of children and their families.
The primary care or pediatrician’s office is often considered a trusted environment. Most parents are very willing to bring their children in for checkups, and there are many visits in the first few years of life. Health professionals develop strong caring relationships with children and families. This relationship offers a key entry into family lives, enabling the sharing of sensitive information with opportunities to intervene to help address serious issues in a non-judgmental way, thereby ushering in interventions that can provide a safer environment for children.
Rural communities can have especially big challenges and a large need for support, but with organizations working collaboratively, there is a higher likelihood of meeting the needs. Research shows that in reducing child abuse and neglect, we reduce academic problems, mental health issues and even the incidence of many chronic health conditions that occur later in life.
This is a journey worth making. For additional information, contact pam.singer@mymichigan.org