Saturday, June 7, 2014

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

            Toxic stressors can cause detrimental affects to a child’s brain. The Center On The Developing Child is practicing ways in which to prevent toxic stress, in hopes of alleviating the behavioral problems and health issues that are related to toxic stress. The Westside Infant-Family Network (WIN) in Los Angeles helps 30,000 individuals. The WIN “provides integrated health, mental health, early education, and social services to a small subset of those families who are facing multiple challenges simultaneously. With a broad spectrum of care, says Henderson, WIN helps ensure that families of children ages birth to 3 receive focused attention that is not possible through traditional services operating in separate sectors” (Gerwin, 2013). In addition to these resources, the WIN also provides free in-home mental health care, a case manager, and a therapist to each family. I find it nice how the organization is aiming for the root cause of the problem, and tackling any possible stressors that might evolve, instead of just helping when a toxic stressor comes about.

This past week I was unable to hear back from my contacts to gain any additional insight about the issues of equity and excellence in their countries; my international contacts are from London, and Greece.

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2 comments:

  1. Hi Elizabeth,
    I haven't heard from my international contacts either, I reached out to Canada and Cuba. I enjoyed your post about toxic stress. Is it just so upsetting to think that a child could experience such stress on that level?

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  2. Elizabeth,
    It is so unfair that innocent little children has to face such stress that could interfere with the natural development and function of the brain. I have seen where violence has such a negative impact on children that they go into manic depression as early as 7 years old. I hope for more information and deeper understanding about things like toxic stressors, to be made more readily available through a deliberate campaign on behalf of child health and wellness. Organizations such as Center on the developing child are working tirelessly to get the word out on issues such as these. We have to get involved in any way possible so we can be a art of the change needed. Thank you.

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