BULLYING PREVENTION
Bullying has become a major problem among young children and teenagers in recent years. Bullying is most common among middle school children, as 25% of public school students have reported bullying at least once a week. Further, 20% of high school student reported being bullied on school property within the past year. For many years, bullying was a problem primarily confined to schools. Once children left school property, they were generally safe from bullies. However, with the widespread usage of cell phones and social media, bullying can now occur virtually anywhere, and 16% of children reported having been bullied electronically within the past year. ![]() Family, friend and neighbor (FFN) providers include grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, older siblings, friends, neighbors, and others who help families by providing child care. Both in Washington and around the nation, FFN care is the most common type of child care for infants and toddlers and for school-age children before and after school. FFN providers are unlicensed and not regulated by the state, although some FFN providers can receive child care subsidies for the care they provide. To be considered an FFN provider you must meet Washington Administrative Code requirements WAC 110-16. Why Choose FFN CareFamilies choose FFN care for a number of reasons, including:
Most FFN providers view themselves as extended family or surrogate parents, rather than professional child care providers. One of the predominant reasons FFN providers say they do this work is that they enjoy being with the children they care for, and they enjoy helping parents. In many cultures, FFN care is not seen as a child care arrangement but as a way the family and community work together to raise children. Can I Get Help to Pay My FFN Provider? Some families qualify for help to pay their family, friend or neighbor (FFN) child care. This is called a subsidy. Caregivers can be paid by the state for caring for children of eligible families. Caregivers paid by the state are called "in-home/relative providers." The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) determines a family's eligibility for a child care subsidy, and approves the requested provider. There are 3 ways to apply:
View the instructions on how to create an online account with Washington Connection. Head Start is funded by the federal government for children ages 3 and 4 and, in some locations, pregnant women and children birth to age 3.
Head Start includes:
Children who attend Head Start learn to manage their feelings, get along with others and follow classroom procedures. They build the beginning skills for reading, math and science. The program work closely with parents to support their children’s health and education and to meet family goals. They help families access medical and dental care and social services. Children in this type of high-quality program nationwide are:
More About the Head Start
EnrollmentMost children are eligible for Head Start based on their age and family income. Up to 10% of Head Start slots can be filled by children above the income requirement who have multiple support needs, including:
After eligibility is determined, children are prioritized for enrollment as space is available in their communities. To enroll a child, contact the Head Start Location near you. Questions? Contact [email protected] for Head Start ECEAP (pronounced "E-Cap") is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program funded by Washington State for children 3 and 4.
ECEAP includes
Children in this type of high-quality program nationwide are:
More About ECEAP
An ECEAP Family’s Story To enroll a child, contact the ECEAP agency near you. Questions? Contact [email protected] for ECEAP. Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) helps eligible families pay for child care. When a family qualifies for child care subsidy benefits and chooses an eligible provider, the state pays a portion of the cost of child care. Parents may be responsible for a copayment to their provider each month.
Click here for more information about qualifications.
The Child Care Subsidy Programs (CCSP) help families to pay for quality child care through either: 1-844-626-8687 - CCSP contact line for families
Child Care Subsidy Program - You May Qualify READ THE PRINTABLE FLYER (AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND SOMALI) ECEAP and Head Start Preschool ProgramsChildren in low-income households may qualify for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) or Head Start preschools. Resources for parents:
Bullying is when one child picks on another child again and again. Usually, children who are being bullied are either weaker or smaller, as well as shy, and generally feel helpless. Some kids are at higher risk of being bullied, such as those with disabilities or other special health care needs and those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Bullying occurs when there is an imbalance of power. Sometimes children argue with each other or make bad choices in their behavior, which is not bullying. Cyberbullying takes place on electronic media, using things like social media sites, texting, chat rooms, or instant messaging. Cyberbullying can happen any time—day or night—and is visible to many more people than traditional bullying. It's very hard to undo or hide what the child who is cyberbullying has done. Facts about bullying
Common traits of bullies and victimsGenerally, according to StopBullying.gov, children who are bullied have one or more of the following risk factors:
Effects of bullyingChildren who experience any kind of bullying—including cyberbullying—can experience long-term effects, even into adulthood. Bullying can have consequences for both the bully and the victim, who
Talk with your child about bullyingEven if you don't think your child is bullied, a bully, or a bystander, you will be helping protect your child just by asking these questions.
Help your child resist bullyingYou cannot always help your child avoid all bullying, but you can help him build coping skills to deal with difficult situations. Spend time with your child, show him love and encouragement, and model good behavior toward others. Talk through difficult situations with your child so he knows he can trust you with his problems. When your child is bulliedIt can be upsetting to find out your child has been bullied. Let her know you are there for her, willing to listen, and taking action to make sure it doesn't continue. Here are some things you can do. Help your child learn how to respond. For example, “Let's talk about what you can do and say if this happens again."
When your child is the bullyNo parents want to think their child would bully another child, but it does happen and parents must be ready to respond. If you know your child is bullying someone, take it very seriously. Now is the time when you can change your child's behavior. In the long run, bullies continue to have problems. These often get worse. If the bullying behavior is allowed to continue, these children often become adults who are much less successful in their work and family lives and may even get in trouble with the law.
When your child is a bystanderMost children are neither bullied nor bullies— they just watch. There are things your child can do to help stop bullying.
Last Updated: 10/4/2021 Source: Adapted from Bullying: It’s Not OK, American Academy of Pediatrics, copyright © 2018 The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. |
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