The Texas Housing Association “When A House Is Not Enough” August 21, 2012

1. The Texas Housing Association “When A House Is Not Enough” August 21, 2012

2. Rainbow Days promotes healthy behaviors by inspiring and preparing children to live a life filled with hope and promise.

3. PREVENT Substance Abuse, Delinquency & Violence TARGET Children & Youth MOST AT RISK COLLABORATE with Shelters, Community Organizations & Schools INTERVENE Family Connection Health Information, Character Education, Skills, Support & Stress Reduction

4. “Among industrialized nations the United States has the largest number of homeless women and children. Not since the great depression have so many families been without homes. Approximately 1.6 million children will experience homelessness over the course of a year.” (The National Center on Family Homelessness)

5. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study The effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Adult Health and Well Being

6. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) • Impoverished, Gang & Drug-affected Neighborhoods • Housing Instability & Food Insecurity • Family Violence • Foster Care • Substance-abusing Parents/Siblings • Parents/Siblings in Jail or Prison • Parents/Siblings with AIDS • Homelessness (Often Includes All Others) = Highest Risk

7. ACEs: • ACES are surprisingly common • Cluster/Escalate • Have long-term, damaging effects • Cause “Child Traumatic Stress” • Overwhelms Child’s Ability to Cope

8. Children Living with ACEs Experience: • Fear • Anger • Dread • Worry • Loneliness • Isolation • Hopelessness

9. Homeless children are much more likely than children who live in homes to experience serious difficulties including physical, cognitive, emotional and mental problems.

10. Compared to non-homeless children, homeless children: • are 9 times more likely to repeat a grade; • are 4 times more likely to drop out of school; • are 3 times more likely to be placed in special education programs; • have 3 times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems; • are 4 times more likely to show delayed development; • have 4 times as many respiratory infections; and • 83% have been exposed to at least one serious violent event. • (National Center on Family Homelessness)

11. Health information • Character education • Coping & social skills • Emotional/social support • Stress reduction activities Overcoming ACEs and Promoting Healthy Behaviors Family Connection

12. Mitigate/reduce the effects of homelessness • Prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use • Break cycles of homelessness Family Connection Goals

13. Objectives include: • To increase family bonding and stability • To increase children’s life skills • To improve children’s sense of worth • To equip parents to support their • To increase children’s commitment to stay alcohol, tobacco & drug free • To increase children’s commitment to stay in school

14. Family Connection Services Provided • Curriculum-Based Support Groups • For Children & Parents • Stress Reduction • Activities • Play Connection • Art With a Heart/Imagination Connection • Family Outings • Summer Camps • Learning Tool Kits • Special Events (i.e. Fall Harvest & Back to School)

15. Who Do We Partner With? • Homeless Shelters (Emergency, Transitional, PSH) • Domestic Violence Shelters • After-School Programs for Homeless Children Providing Services for 22Homeless Service Providers in Dallas county

16. Rainbow Days’ Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program

17. CBSG® Program Session Topics • A Celebration of Me • Feelings • Handling Anger • Dreams and Goal Setting • Making Healthy Choices • Friends • Resisting Negative Peer Pressure • Chemical Dependency in the Family • Changes and Challenges in My Life

18. Goal of Rainbow Days’ CBSG® Program: provide children and youth living in high-risk situations with the skills and support they need to overcome adversity, stay in school, and stay free of drugs, violence, and crime

19. Rainbow Days Curricula

20. “Seal of Approval” • Effectiveness-Tested • Programs must apply • Highly selective • Independent Reviewers • Rigorous Standards NREPP Scale: 0-4 Curriculum-Based Support Groups (CBSG®) Program = 3.7

21. Major Messages of the CBSG® Program • I Am likeable, capable, unique and valued. • I Can treat others like I want to be treated. • I Have strengths, capabilities and people who care about me. • I Will make healthy choices and be • alcohol, tobacco and drug free. • I Believe I have a purpose.

22. Learning Empowerment Learning Tool Kits Kids’ University School Supplies

23. Life Enrichment Art With a Heart Outdoor Adventure Camp Camp Bravo!

24. Family Strengthening Play Connection Family Outings

25. Outcomes Significantly decrease: • substance use • rebellious behavior • antisocial attitudes Significantly increase: • anti-substance use attitudes and intentions

26. How to feel good about myself • I have the power to choose what I want to be in the future • That violence doesn’t solve anything • To respect others and think about my actions • Never do drugs • Find a safe person to talk to about your problems • Someone cares about me • It is important to treat others like I want to be treated What are the most important things you have learned through Rainbow Days?

27. Strengths of Family Connection • Partnership Focused – Partner with 22 service sites and dozens of other collaborating organizations • Overcomes Barriers to Service – Travel on site so children can receive services • Award-Winning – 2006 “Excellence in Mission Achievement” from the Center for Nonprofit Management; Mutual of America Community Partnership Award

28. Strengths of Family Connection • Replicable – Over 770 youth-serving professionals have been trained • Long-Term Impact – Over 20,900 children and parents served • Evidence Based Curriculum – NREPP • Sole Provider of Service – Ongoing behavioral and mental health services for children

29. Contact Information: Cathey Brown, CEO/Founder Rainbow Days, Inc. 8150 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600 Dallas, TX 75206 800-899-7828 214-887-0726 catheyb@rdikids.org www.rdikids.org