The over one million COVID-19 deaths in the United States include parents and caregivers on whom children had relied for caregiving. These losses can be devastating for the development and long-term well-being of all children, including very young children, leading to emotional and behavioral dysregulation, regressions in sleeping, eating, toileting, difficulties with attachment, problems in day care or preschool, and mental health issues that are likely to increase over time without supportive interventions. It has been estimated that in the United States, over 200,000 children lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19 through December 2021, many of whom may have been their only within household caregiver. Racial and ethnic disparities in caregiver loss exceed disparities in COVID-19 deaths. Disparities are even higher in children losing their only caregiver, which creates even more acute mental health, educational, and community concerns requiring attention. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the losses without needed supports are much greater than those following natural disasters. Caregiver deaths due to COVID-19 are a significant threat to the functioning of children and families, compounding additional challenges to physical and mental health already impacted by economic and other stresses in families. Early childhood and community settings can play a key role in providing a caring environment to support resilience for young children through listening, being emotionally available and present for them.

In this training participants will:

1. Learn about the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic losses on young children and families, including the inequities in losses

2. Gain more information about how these losses can impact on young children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development and skills related to ways to support the children and caregivers

3. Learn about different strategies that can be implemented to support resilience in young children, families, early childhood and community centers

Date & Time

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm EST