Why the Network?

Toxic stress during childhood, which includes severe stress responses to experiences of adversity such as homelessness, hunger, and neglect, has lifelong effects on a person’s health and well-being. When toxic stress and a related set of exposures called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - including abuse, neglect, and household instability - are unaddressed, children are more likely to have physical, mental, and behavioral health problems that negatively affect their ability to learn in school, gain employment, and be financially secure later in life.

The Network helps caregivers of young children to interrupt that cycle, by helping them heal from their adversities, to ensure that they can build a future for themselves and for their children. The Network utilizes a two-generation approach, which recognizes that promoting children’s health and development is most effectively achieved by ensuring that parents earn enough income to meet basic needs and build assets to promote their child’s well-being.

Caregiver Exposure to Adversity and Violence

Outcomes

We measured exposure to adversity and violence, family economic hardship (food security, housing security and economic security), career readiness and employment, and physical and mental health over 12 months (baseline N = 373). All participants, including those with high childhood adversity (4+ ACEs, n=131), showed significant (p<0.05) improvements in outcomes relating to economic security, physical and mental health, and social support up to one year after program participation. These results demonstrate the importance of trauma-informed programming, particularly for those who experience high levels of adverse childhood experiences.

Participants after 12 months reported significant increases in:

• Checking/Savings Accounts
• Housing Security
• Social Support