Penfield Early Pathways

FROM COMMON CONCERNS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS

WELCOME TO EARLY PATHWAYS

The Early Pathways treatment model addresses challenging behaviors that occur normally in early childhood as well as those that happen more often than expected. The model also includes adaptations on components for children who have experienced stress or trauma, and additional components to treat stress- and trauma-related symptoms.

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
  • Behaviorism
  • Attachment Theory
  • Child Developmental Models

  • Temper Tantrums
  • Aggression
  • Difficulty Listening
  • Hyperactivity
  • Destructiveness
  • Oppositional Behavior
  • Impulsivity
  • Toileting Concerns
  • Sleep Concerns
  • Sharing

A traumatic event is an event in which the individual’s ability to cope is overwhelmed, or there is a real or perceived threat of physical safety to self or a loved one. Events that may lead to stress or trauma symptoms can include but are not limited to: death of a loved one, placement in the foster care system and surrounding events, car accident, hospitalization, incarceration of a loved one, a natural disaster, witnessing community violence, witnessing physical violence between family members, abuse, neglect, caregiver substance abuse, and significant caregiver mental health concerns.

  • Anxiety
  • Fear
  • Becoming Emotional or Crying
  • Hypervigilance
  • Acting Out a Stressful Event During Play
  • Mood Fluctuation
  • Withdrawal
  • Difficulty Separating
  • Sexualized Behaviors
  • Nightmares
  • Regression in Development
  • Increased Toileting Accidents

IS EARLY PATHWAYS EFFECTIVE?

The Early Pathways Program is recognized by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse of Child Welfare, the National Institute of Justice’s Crime Solutions, and listed in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide. Our trainings allow community providers to learn more about trauma in very young children and gain a better understanding of available intervention and support resources for children in need of mental health services.

If caregivers are able to consistently implement treatment recommendations outside of sessions, progress on challenging behaviors occurs, sometimes in as little as 8-12 weeks. For children and families who have experienced trauma, treatment might take longer, but the Early Pathways Program is still very effective.

CAREGIVER COACHING

Early Pathways is implemented with both caregiver and child. The therapist can expect to primarily be providing coaching to the caregiver on treatment recommendations that are then practiced by the caregiver outside of the therapy session. The younger the child, the more the session will focus on the caregiver. Working with older children may involve more direct interaction with the child, but will still involve caregiver coaching.

Assessments are used to help form a diagnosis and treatment plan at the time of evaluation, at intervals throughout treatment, and at the time of discharge to determine progress. The assessments utilized in Early Pathways are evidence-based and are normed for children ages 0-6 years to assess challenging behaviors and trauma-related symptoms.

REVIEWS

We were very pleased to learn that EP received the highest possible rating as “HIGHLY RELEVANT” for use by staff working in Child Welfare Agencies.

CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE-BASED CLEARINGHOUSE FOR CHILD WELFARE (CEBC)

Outcome #1: Disruptive Behavior Disorders and Externalizing/Antisocial Behaviors

This program is effective for reducing disruptive behavior disorders and externalizing/antisocial behaviors. The review of the program yielded strong evidence of a favorable effect (effect size = .95)

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES

Outcome #2: Family-Child Relationship.

This program is effective for improving the family-child relationship. The review of the program yielded strong evidence of a favorable effect (effect size = .97).

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES

Outcome #3: General Functioning and Well-Being

This program is effective for improving general functioning and well-being. The review of the program yielded strong evidence of a favorable effect (effect size = 2.47).

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES

Outcome #4: Social Functioning/Competence

This program is effective for improving social functioning/competence. The review of the program yielded strong evidence of a favorable effect (effect size = .55).

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES

Outcome #5: Unspecified and Other Mental Health Disorders

This program is effective for reducing unspecified and other mental health disorders. The review of the program yielded strong evidence of a favorable effect (effect size = .99).

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES

Outcome #6: Parenting Behaviors

This program is promising for improving parenting behaviors. The review of the program yielded sufficient evidence of a favorable effect (effect size = .40).

SAMHSA’S NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES