How One Community Program Communicated that Services are Safe Amid COVID-19

• In Event: Poster Session 06
  In Poster Session: PS 06 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

Violence and vulnerability increase for children during school closures (Rothe, Gallinetti, Lagaay, & Campbell, 2015). Brown et al. (2020) examined risk and protective factors in parental stress and child abuse potential during COVID-19 and report the most prevalent stressors among parents included mood changes, increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, and poor sleep. Highly stressed parents may not adequately care for their children due to time, attention, and energy (Mantymaa et al., 2006). The level of support a parent received during COVID-19 was associated with lower stress and risk of child abuse potential (Brown, et al., 2020). However, families may have reduced support from external sources due to COVID-19 related closures. In order to support children and families, it is critical for community services to innovate ways to continue providing support.
Crisis/respite nursery care is a temporary service offered to families when parents need a safe place for their children. Nursery services can improve family functioning and enhance caregivers’ stress coping strategies and decrease in child maltreatment reports (Cohen & Warren, 1985; Cole, Wehrmann, Dewar, & Swinford, 2005; Cowen, 1998). A state-wide network of 17 crisis/respite nurseries modified their services to comply with COVID-19 regulations and remain open during the crisis. However, many families were hesitant to re-engage in services. Recognizing the increased risk for child maltreatment, the nurseries commissioned a mixed-method evaluation to investigate family concerns, barriers, and changing needs and experiences during the pandemic. A total of 78 families across four sites completed an online survey. An additional 12 interviews in English and 12 in Spanish will be completed via Zoom. Six interviews have been completed and data collection and analyses will be completed by January 2021.
Responses to the Coronavirus Impact Scale developed by Drs. Kaufman and Stoddard indicated that most families had experienced disruptions to aspects of their daily lives (see Figure 1). When asked if their need for services had changed, 35% reported a decrease, 35% reported an increase, and 30% reported no change. Qualitative responses about the decreased need for childcare reflected potential decreases in scheduling needs, but not necessarily reductions in stress (e.g. job loss, cancelled medical appointments, and older children home from school to watch younger children). Results indicate that nurseries were failing to communicate availability and safety modifications to families.
Qualitative themes include the impact on daily routines, fear of being exposed to the virus, behavior changes within the family, and fluctuations in relationships. Families feared leaving home in general, and more than half were concerned about the cleanliness of facilities. Children seemingly struggled with the sudden change, acted out more and some reported seeking out mental health aid. While some found some benefits in COVID-19, most found it to be negatively impactful on their family.
Because of the nation-wide impact of COVID-19 on Latinx families, this project is in the process of collecting additional data from Spanish-speaking families in these communities. Results will supplement and enrich existing data and provide opportunities to identify strengths and challenges unique to each group.

Authors

• Audrey Constance Juhasz, Utah State University
  Presenting Author

• Becca Richards, The Family Place
  Non-Presenting Author

• Andy Gongora, The Family Place
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sheryl Goodey, the fami
  Non-Presenting Author