Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is a life-changing crisis that has pervasive effects on our society, but perhaps the forgotten are the childcare programs serving the youngest children who are in out-of-home care while their parents are on the frontlines. The purpose of the Jump Start initiative was to develop a model of care to support childcare providers during the pandemic.
Method: The Inter-Agency Standing Committee reference group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergency Settings was used as a guideline to implement a 3-phase comprehensive tiered system of care.
Results: In Phase 1, Workforce Development, 26 Mental Health Consultants were trained in trauma-informed care. 91 childcare providers completed Phase 2, Assessment of Needs through the Risk and Resiliency COVID-19 survey. Anxiety (72.6%), sleep disturbance (52.7%), and sadness/depression (39.6%) were reported impacts of the pandemic on providers. Accessing on-line services was the number one need identified. Phase 3, Resource Provision, established a 6-tiered model of care. There was a range of participation with 75% of providers participating in Tier 1 on-line supports to 40% receiving Tier 6 intensive mental health consultation.
Conclusions: There is a distinct need to provide support for childcare providers especially given their role as a protective factor for children. Implementing a tiered mental health support system can potentially mitigate negative outcomes to improve the functioning of childcare settings. Understanding and addressing mental health and psychosocial considerations is the key to preventing the risk of long-term repercussion on the population’s wellbeing.
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Posted 30 Jun, 2020
Posted 30 Jun, 2020
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is a life-changing crisis that has pervasive effects on our society, but perhaps the forgotten are the childcare programs serving the youngest children who are in out-of-home care while their parents are on the frontlines. The purpose of the Jump Start initiative was to develop a model of care to support childcare providers during the pandemic.
Method: The Inter-Agency Standing Committee reference group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergency Settings was used as a guideline to implement a 3-phase comprehensive tiered system of care.
Results: In Phase 1, Workforce Development, 26 Mental Health Consultants were trained in trauma-informed care. 91 childcare providers completed Phase 2, Assessment of Needs through the Risk and Resiliency COVID-19 survey. Anxiety (72.6%), sleep disturbance (52.7%), and sadness/depression (39.6%) were reported impacts of the pandemic on providers. Accessing on-line services was the number one need identified. Phase 3, Resource Provision, established a 6-tiered model of care. There was a range of participation with 75% of providers participating in Tier 1 on-line supports to 40% receiving Tier 6 intensive mental health consultation.
Conclusions: There is a distinct need to provide support for childcare providers especially given their role as a protective factor for children. Implementing a tiered mental health support system can potentially mitigate negative outcomes to improve the functioning of childcare settings. Understanding and addressing mental health and psychosocial considerations is the key to preventing the risk of long-term repercussion on the population’s wellbeing.
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