Featured Op-ed: Early childhood programs can address the trauma of migrant families.
By Leo Ortega
Every day, the ongoing migrant crisis in Chicago presents new challenges to those of us at El Hogar Del Niño who work directly with families in need. Whether organizations offer housing assistance or early childhood care and education, many of us are asking: How do we balance the immediate needs of our new neighbors with the existing needs of our communities? And where do migrant families fit into our definition of the place we call home?
For 51 years El Hogar Del Niño, now part of the organization Brightpoint, has offered early childhood care and educational services that support parents and young children in Pilsen and Little Village. We also offer home-based visits for expectant parents and children from birth through age three. These home visits make it easier for parents and children to access services without having to figure out transportation and travel times. Using a “Parents as Teachers” model, our social workers support parents with everything from prenatal education to building parenting skills. We help parents access services like SNAP, Medicaid, and provide early childhood screenings to ensure infants and young children are meeting developmental milestones, because we know that early intervention is key to helping children thrive going forward. If we identify a developmental delay or disability, we help a family get support that meets their child’s specific needs.
