Legislation Labeling Children at Risk - More Harm than Good

Deaconess Children's Services statement against Washington State Senate Bill 6249:

Labeling and name calling is a past time that has been handed down for many generations. It is something that happens in every part of our community from the top leaders in government to the children who claim their power on playgrounds. The repercussions of labeling, especially for children, can be painful and memorable. Recently, Senate Bill 6249 was introduced to stake a claim in promoting positive labels in our state laws, rules and regulations by changing negative words “at risk” and “disadvantaged” to “Kids at Hope.” However, when you look closely at the legal documents, you see the word, “student” being deleted in most cases. It is unclear how this will change will affect a child’s perception of themselves. More importantly, it is also unclear how this impacts the change that is needed for more pressing children’s issues. The time has come to advocate in support of what children need most – to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged in life.

Proposed Legislation SB 6249

Sen. Rosa Franklin appears to have altruistic intensions introducing a bill, SB 6249, to the Senate that would attempt to clear labeling of children in our laws, rules and regulations within Washington State. Central to this bill is the idea that, “Negative labels, such as, ‘at risk’ and ‘disadvantaged’ can be devastating to children by making them feel defeated and helpless about what the negative label says about them. The labels become a self-fulfilling prophecy that adults unconsciously adopt.” This is particularly relevant for adults and caregivers who are working directly with children.

It is difficult to argue one of the key points the bill poses: “Every child is unique. They have different interests, talents, skills, personalities and come from homes with different cultures, socio-economic levels, and education levels.” As a society, we need to be more intentional and conscientious about the language we use and the behaviors we model and how they both work together to influence a child’s self-worth. Our differences should be celebrated and honored by every person who touches a child’s life; however, to change the wording from “at risk” to “kids at hope,” might actually do more harm than good.

There are several reasons to vote against SB 6249. One is that it will take money, time and energy away from urgent policy matters and redirect lawmakers from focusing on deeply pressing children’s issues, which are directly linked to the causes placing Washington’s children “at risk,” in the first place. SB 6249 focuses on semantics in laws and distracts us away from basic “human” needs of children, such as poverty, homelessness, abuse, neglect, and obesity.

Child Emotional Abuse is Linked to Social, Emotional and Academic Health Concerns

In a longitudinal study, “A Neurodevelopmental Perspective of Emotional Abuse,” Egeland and colleagues researched a high risk poverty sample and show the effects of child emotional abuse in a high risk poverty sample. They concluded that these children develop an insecure attachment to caregivers, noncompliance, low persistence, low enthusiasm, poor concentration, and declines in cognitive and motor competence across the first several years of life. By school age, child emotional abuse was associated with high levels of negativity, impulsivity, poor social competence, low academic achievement, and increased psychopathology (see Erickson, Egeland, & Pianta, 1989)

Here are a few additional reasons to vote “No” on SB 6249:

• There is a general principle in life that, if you don’t name it, you can’t claim it. Everything in life must work in balance to create harmony. SB 6249 doesn’t address the fact that the labels “at risk” and “disadvantaged” describe the challenges children face, versus label children.
• A label is still a label, meaning, no matter what label you give children, they will still stand out from the crowd. Simply changing the tone of a label does not take the label away. SB 6249 doesn’t address research on how changing the label from “at risk” on a policy, law, rule or regulation will change a child’s self-perception and self-esteem.
• By taking away the real issues that children face we downplay the evidence needed to justify government spending and resources in this area. This bill could actually end up tying the hands of legislators to pass future legislation or authorize funding needed to protect children. If children are no longer “at risk,” the public may question why they need to be supported or protected at all.

We Already Know What Works

Here are some possible solutions to helping children who experience adversity from negative labeling:

1. Focus efforts on legislation that prevents children from being “at risk” or “disadvantaged” in the first place, such as, poverty, homelessness and child abuse and neglect.
2. Develop legislation which puts into place anti-bias and cultural awareness programs, training and curriculum for children and adults; and develop an educational campaign that builds awareness around this issue with parents, schools and agencies that touch a child’s life.
3. Support evidence based programs that build emotional intelligence in children and adults who are closest to them.

The Promise of Evidence-Based Programs

There are several such evidence based programs which promote the proposed solutions above and are currently implemented throughout the state with promising results. These programs include: The Incredible Years (for parents and teachers), Parent Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT), Project Safecare, Promoting First Relationships, Triple P., Parents as Teachers and the Nurturing Parenting Program, among others.

Since 2003, Deaconess Children’s Services has promoted evidence-based solutions. Our experience in several of these programs demonstrates we can eliminate labels and give children hope.

If we are to get our state back on track with job creation and an economic surplus, then we need to create a generation that thrives with the 21st century skills necessary to invent products, build cultural bridges and serve people in our state. By investing in children, honoring their rights as humans, and putting their needs first, we not only strengthen them as individuals, but we also strengthen the very fabric of our society and our economy. These steps put the whole child first and position Washington for a brighter future.

Deaconess Children’s Services is a champion of hope and opportunity for children and their families, especially those in greatest need; empowering them to BELIEVE in a life full of possibilities. For 112 years, Deaconess has been transforming the lives of children throughout the Pacific Northwest by breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect and putting Children First.

For more information, please contact:

Felicia Freeman
President
Deaconess Children’s Services
4708 Dogwood Drive, Everett, WA 98203
P.O. Box 2629, Everett, WA 98213-2629
(425) 259-0146
(425) 293-0333 direct
(425) 346-8414 cell
www.deaconesschildren.org