Building Healing Connections: Supporting Young Children and Caregivers Through Trauma-Informed Care
Recognized as America's Best in Medicine--leading early childhoood healing through home-based relationship practice
Since beginning my journey as a Child First Therapist in May 2025, I have had the privilege of working with more than sixteen families navigating complex challenges that shape early childhood development. Working alongside my incredible supervisor--with over 10 plus years of clinical experience--whose decade of experience has guided my professional development, learning and practice. Collaborating with my amazing supervisor, we bring relationship-based, trauma-informed care directly into the homes of families we serve. I have had the privilege of supporting families through one of the most transformative interventions in early childhood mental health. Child First is a national, evidence-based clinical intervention for children ages 0-5.5 and their caregivers--designed to promote healing, strengthen caregiver-child relationships, and address the effects of trauma and stress within the family. Through home-based services, we meet children and caregivers where they are--literally and emotionally--helping them build safety, understanding, and connection. Research shows Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs) are common with over 60 percent of U.S adults reporting at least one, and 1 in 6 reporting four or more, directly impacting long-term physical and mental health. ACE scores are strongly linked to chronic disease, substance abuse, with roughly 75 percent of high schoolers experiencing at least one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Family Trauma Statistics shows in Childhood Exposure that approximately 45 percent of children in the U.S have experienced at least one ACE, with 21 percent experiencing three or more, often due to household dysfunction. While ACEs have profound impacts, they are not destiny. Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with caregivers, along with supportive community resources, can build resilience and mitigate the lifelong effects of toxic stress (ACEs Aware Progress Report: 2019-2023)
Our two-pronged approach between caregiver(s)- and child focuses on nurturing the early bond between caregivers and children (ages 0-5.5) while addressing the family's broader stressors. We collaborate with providers in various of area in the region alongside with a Family Resource Partner "Care Coordinator" who helps families access concrete supports such as community resources, housing, and financial assistance--so the healing environment extends beyond therapy session into daily life.
Through this home-based approach, we have encountered many different families facing extraordinary stressors: mothers and fathers impacted by domestic violence, community violence, involvement with child welfare linked to limited parenting knowledge, struggles with substance use or housing instability, adequate transportation and food insecurity leading to emotional burden. Many of the families I have supported live on the edge of homelessness-- balancing low wages, scare childcare and skyrocketing rent worrying how they are going to make it the next day or the next several months forcing constant moving from homes to home. Single parents, especially mothers, often face impossible decision forcing to live below the poverty level line relying on vouchers constantly in a survival mode, providing income leading to major Medicaid cut, and SNAP, and or being present for their children.
In our regions rural areas, these challenges are compounded by long waitlists for developmental evaluations and limited access to child mental health resources, making it even harder for families to receive timely support. These realities remind me daily how essential it is to meet families where they are offering grace, compassionate, trauma-informed care grounded in both empathy, understanding and tangible help.
Our work follows a two-pronged approach: strengthening the early relationship between caregivers and young children while addressing broader family needs through collaboration with family access vital community supports, reduce stress, and build stability. Each session focuses on co-regulation, emotional safety, and understanding--creating the secure base children need to thrive. At the heart of this work is the belief that relationships heal. When caregivers feel supported and learn to co-regulate with their children, stress decreases, and emotional growth begins. Every play interaction, every shared moment of understanding, becomes an opportunity to rewrite a family's story.
Being recognized as one of America's Best in Medicine is both humbling and deeply meaningful, but the real reward is witnessing parents rediscover hope and confidence. Every home visit reminds me that healing relationships truly transform futures. This work truly reflects not only my commitment but also the incredible strength and resilience of the families I have the honor to serve. Together, we are building pathways toward safety, stability, and hope, one family--one home visit at a time. - Annie, MSW, LCSW-A, Licensed Practitioner.
