NATIONAL DEFLECTION WEEK:
Supporting Children in Crisis Situations
National Deflection Week emphasizes the crucial role of pre-arrest diversion and deflection, especially in interactions involving children who are present in high-risk situations such as emergencies, violent incidents, or situations involving illegal activities. Here’s how first responders can effectively support and protect children during such critical moments:
Immediate Safety and Assessment
Ensure Safety: First responders should first ensure the physical safety of all individuals present, particularly children. This includes moving children away from immediate harm and checking for any physical injuries.
Calm and Reassure: It’s vital to approach children in a manner that is calm and reassuring. First responders should introduce themselves, explain what they are doing in simple terms, and assure the child that their primary goal is to ensure everyone’s safety.
Communication and Support
Sensitive Communication: Use age-appropriate language to communicate with children. Keeping eye contact (unless the child has an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis or similar), using a soft tone, and asking simple, direct questions can help children feel more at ease.
Identify a Comfort Figure: If possible, identify a non-involved adult who the child trusts, such as a neighbor or family member who can provide comfort until a more permanent solution is established.
Utilizing Diversion and Deflection Techniques
Engage Specialist Support: If addiction issues are evident, first responders can call in specialists from local mental health services or child protective services who are trained to handle such situations more appropriately.
Implement Immediate Referrals: Provide referrals to support services for both the child and the family. This might include contacting social services for immediate intervention or connecting the family with counseling services.
Documentation and Follow-Up
Document Observations: Thoroughly document all observations related to the child’s condition and environment. This documentation can be crucial for ensuring appropriate follow-up support.
Ensure Follow-Up: Ensure that there is a clear plan for follow-up actions. This might involve coordinating with other agencies to conduct home visits or providing additional resources to the family.
Training and Awareness
Ongoing Training: First responders should receive ongoing training in recognizing and responding to situations where addiction impacts children. This includes understanding the signs of distress and the best practices for interacting with children in crisis.
Community Awareness Programs: First responders can participate in community awareness programs that educate the public on the signs of addiction and the importance of safe environments for children.
Example Scenario: During a call to a home where illegal substances are evident, officers find a young child visibly upset. An officer kneels to meet the child’s eye level, introduces themselves, and explains that they are there to help. They ensure the child is safe and away from immediate danger. Simultaneously, another officer contacts child protective services and a local community center that offers immediate mental health support for children. The child is comforted by a trusted neighbor until a relative arrives, based on the officers’ coordination.
Using NACoA’s Resources in First Responder Protocols During National Deflection Week
National Deflection Week is an opportune time to highlight how first responders can utilize the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA)’s resources to enhance their effectiveness in crisis situations involving children. NACoA offers specialized training and resources tailored for children impacted by familial addiction, which can be invaluable in guiding first responders in these sensitive interactions.
Enhanced Understanding and Skills with NACoA Training
1. Specialized Training: NACoA provides comprehensive training modules that help first responders understand the specific needs of children living in homes affected by addiction. This training includes techniques for communicating effectively with children who may be experiencing trauma or distress.
2. Trauma-Informed Approach: Through NACoA’s programs, first responders can learn ways to adopt a trauma-informed approach when interacting with children. This approach emphasizes recognizing signs of trauma, avoiding re-traumatization, and ensuring that the child feels safe and supported.
Practical Tools and Strategies
3. Resource Materials: NACoA equips first responders with practical materials such as brochures, guides, and quick-reference cards that provide information on how to address children’s emotional and psychological needs swiftly and effectively.
4. Support and Referral Guides: These materials also include detailed information on local and national resources, such as counseling services and support groups, ensuring that first responders can make informed referrals to help children receive the support they need.
Application in Real Situations
5. Immediate Application: During an emergency call involving illegal activities, violence, or drugs, first responders trained by NACoA can immediately apply their knowledge to protect and comfort children. For example, knowing how to establish a rapport with a child quickly, maintaining a calm and reassuring presence, and using child-friendly language to explain the situation.
6. Long-Term Support Connection: First responders can provide parents or guardians with NACoA materials, guiding them on how to seek further help, which not only addresses the immediate safety of the child but also their long-term well-being.
Community Engagement and Awareness
7. Awareness Campaigns: First responders can collaborate with NACoA to conduct community awareness campaigns, educating the public about the impact of addiction on children and the resources available for support.
8. Training Seminars: Organizing joint training seminars with NACoA experts can be an effective way to continually update the skills of first responders and ensure that new recruits are also prepared to handle these sensitive situations.
Sample Use of NACoA Tools
Consider a scenario where police officers respond to a domestic disturbance call. Trained in NACoA’s programs, they recognize the signs of distress in children at the scene. They use trauma-informed communication skills to reassure the children, explain their actions in ways the children can understand, make the appropriate referrals to keep children safe, and provide the parents with NACoA resource materials for long-term support.
By incorporating NACoA’s training and resources into their protocols, first responders can significantly enhance their ability to effectively support children in crisis situations involving addiction. National Deflection Week serves as a pivotal time to promote these integrations, aiming to improve outcomes for children and families while fostering stronger, more resilient communities.
