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.

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Family, Friend and Neighbor Care

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:

  • Existing bonds of love and trust with a family member, friend or neighbor
  • Shared language, culture, and values
  • Families raising a child with special health or behavioral needs choose FFN care as the best match for their child
  • Some families need the greater flexibility of FFN care in order to meet non-traditional work hours

Read more about subsidy information for 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

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:

  • Free early learning child care or preschool to support child’s development and learning. In some locations, Head Start may also offer home-based services.
  • Family support and parent involvement.
  • Child health coordination and nutrition.
  • Services responsive and appropriate to each child’s and family’s heritage and experience.

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:

  • Healthier when they start kindergarten.
  • Less likely to be in special education or repeat a grade in school.
  • More likely to graduate from high school and go on to college.
  • Less likely to become pregnant as a teen or become involved in a crime.
  • More likely to be employed and to earn more as an adult.

More About the Head Start

  • Head Start is for 3- to 5-year-olds.
  • Early Head Start is for pregnant women and children birth to age three. It promotes healthy prenatal outcomes, enhances the development of infants and toddlers, and promotes healthy family functioning. Children are served in their homes or in centers.
  • Migrant and Seasonal Head Start is for pregnant women and children birth to age five give in communities with migrant and seasonal workers.
  • Tribal Head Start serves American Indian and Alaska Native children birth to age five and their families. Services are located on or near reservations.
  • Head Start children must be 3 to 5 years old for preschool Head Start; pregnant or 0 to 3 years old for Early Head Start, and:
  • From families at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level, with priority to those at or below 100 percent or
  • Homeless, in foster care, or from families with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash grant.
  • Some children may be accepted who are over the income limit if they have developmental or environmental factors.

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:

  • Environmental factors such as homelessness, family violence, chemical dependency, foster care, or incarcerated parents.
  • Developmental factors such as developmental delay or other special needs.

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 dcyf.hsco@dcyf.wa.gov for Head Start

ECEAP

ECEAP (pronounced “E-Cap”) is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program funded by Washington State for children 3 and 4.

ECEAP includes

  • Free early learning child care or preschool to support child’s development and learning. In some locations, Head Start may also offer home-based services.
  • Family support and parent involvement.
  • Child health coordination and nutrition.
  • Services responsive and appropriate to each child’s and family’s heritage and experience.

Children who attend ECEAP 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:

  • Healthier when they start kindergarten.
  • Less likely to be in special education or repeat a grade in school.
  • More likely to graduate from high school and go on to college.
  • Less likely to become pregnant as a teen or become involved in a crime.
  • More likely to be employed and to earn more as an adult.

More About ECEAP

  • Part Day classes are 2 ½ or more hours, several days a week, during the school year.
  • Full School Day classes are 5.5-6.5 hours per day, 4 or 5 days a week, during the school year.
  • Extended Day is available at least 10 hours a day, year round, combining child care and ECEAP. Parents must meet work or training requirements
  • ECEAP children must be 3 years old but not yet 5 years old on August 31st of the school year, and:
  • On Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for special education or
  • From families at or below 110 percent of the federal poverty level, which includes all children in foster care and all families with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash grants. Some children may be accepted who are over the income limit, if they have developmental or environmental factors.

Enrollment: Most children are eligible for ECEAP based on their age and family income. Up to 10% of ECEAP slots can be filled by children above the income requirement who have multiple support needs, including:

  • Environmental factors such as homelessness, family violence, chemical dependency, foster care, or incarcerated parents.
  • Developmental factors such as developmental delay or other special needs.

In addition, children with disabilities who qualify for special education services are also eligible for ECEAP. After eligibility is determined, children are prioritized for enrollment as space is available in their communities.
An ECEAP Family’s Story
To enroll a child, contact the ECEAP agency near you.
Questions? Contact eceap@dcyf.wa.gov for ECEAP.

Working Connections Child Care

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.

Families experiencing homelessness may be approved for up to 12 months to help resolve issues surrounding homelessness.

Click here for more information about qualifications.

Child Care Subsidy Programs

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.

Child Care Aware of Washington

Resources for parents:

Bullying: it’s not ok

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 ver​y hard to undo or hide what the child who is cyberbullying has done.

Facts about bullying

  • Both girls and boys can be bullies.
  • A child can be both the bully and the victim.
  • Bullies target children who cry, get mad, or easily give in to them.

The 3 types of bullying

  • Physical—hitting, kicking, pushing, choking, punching
  • Verbal—threatening, taunting, teasing, hate speech (This can also include electronic messaging)
  • Social—excluding victims from activities or starting rumors about them

Bullying happens​…

  • At school, when teachers are not there to see what is going on
  • When adults are not watching—going to and from school, on the playground, or in the neighborhood
  • ​Through electronic methods, such as social networks, texting, and instant messaging

Common traits of b​​ullies and victims

Generally, according to StopBullying.gov​, children who are bullied have one or more of the following risk factors:

  • Are seen as different from their peers, such as being overweight or underweight, wearing glasses or different clothing, being new to a school, or not having what kids consider “cool”
  • Are seen as weak or unable to defend themselves
  • Are less “popular” than others and have few friends
  • Do not get along well with others, are seen as annoying or provoking, or provoke others for attention

Those who bully others do not need to be stronger or bigger than those they bully. Often, these students require support to change their behavior and address other challenges that may be influencing their behavior. Children who bully may have more than one of the following characteristics:

  • Are aggressive or easily frustrated
  • Have less parental involvement
  • Have issues at home
  • Think badly of others
  • Have difficulty following rules
  • View violence in a positive way
  • ​Have friends who bully others

Effects of bul​lying

Children 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

  • Have a higher risk of substance use
  • Are more likely to skip or drop out of school
  • Can have health complications
  • Have poor school performance
  • ​Experience depression or other mental health challenges

​Talk with your child about bullying

Even 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.

  • How are things going at school?
  • What do you think of other kids in your class?
  • Does anyone get picked on or bullied?
  • What is lunchtime like? (or recess)
  • ​Is anyone texting, tweeting, or posting mean things on social networks?

Help your child r​esist bullying

You 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 ​bullied

It 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.”

  • ​Teach your child how to
    • Look the bully in the eye.
    • Stand tall and stay calm.
    • Walk away.
    • Not respond to electronic messages and cut off communications with those who are sending unwanted messages.
    • Show bullying texts, posts, or e-mails to a parent or other trusted adult.
  • Teach your child how to say in a firm voice.
    • “I don’t like what you are doing.”
    • “Please do not talk to me like that.”
    • “Why would you say that?”

For many children, these skills do not come naturally. It is like learning a new language—lots of practice is needed. Practice so, in the heat of the moment, these skills will come to your child naturally.

  • Teach your child when and how to ask for help . Your child should not be afraid to ask an adult for help when bullying happens. Since some children are embarrassed about being bullied, parents need to let their children know being bullied is not their fault.
  • Encourage your child to make friends with other children . There are many adult-supervised groups, in and out of school, that your child can join. Invite your child’s friends over to your home.
  • Support activities that interest your child . By participating in activities such as team sports, music groups, or social clubs, your child will develop new abilities and social skills. When children feel good about how they relate to others, they are less likely to be picked on.
  • Alert school officials to the problems, and work with them on solutions . Since bullying often happens outside the classroom, talk with the principal, guidance counselor, or playground monitors, as well as your child’s teachers. Write down and report all bullying, including cyberbullying, to your child’s school. By knowing when and where the bullying occurs, you and your child can better plan what to do if it happens again.

When your c​​hild is the bully

No parents want to think their child would bully a​nother 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.

  • Help your child understand what bullying is and why it is a problem. Help your child understand how bullying hurts other children. Give real examples of the good and bad results of your child’s actions.
  • Set firm and consistent limits on your child’s aggressive or hurtful behavior. Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.
  • Be a positive role model. Children need to develop new and constructive ways for getting what they want. All children can learn to treat others with respect.
  • Use effective, nonphysical discipline, such as loss of privileges. When your child needs discipline, explain why the behavior was wrong and how your child can change it.
  • Find positive ways to stop bullying with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied,
  • Supervise your child and help develop individual skills and interests. Children with too much “time on their hands” are more likely to find themselves in bad situations.
  • Supervise their time online, and monitor what sites they are visiting. Require them to friend you on social media sites and share their passwords with you.
  • ​Ask for help. If you find it difficult to change the behavior, reach out to a professional, like a teacher, counselor, or your child’s pediatrician.

When your child​ is a bystander

Most children are neither bullied nor bu​​llies— they just watch. There are things your child can do to help stop bullying.

  • Don’t give bullying an audience. Often, those who bully are encouraged by the attention they receive from bystanders. Children can help stop bullying by actively not supporting it.
  • Set a good example.
  • Help the child who is bullied get away.
  • Tell a trusted adult. Talking with an adult is not tattling. Standing up for another child by getting help is an act of courage and safety. To make it easier, suggest taking a friend.
  • ​Be a friend. Children can help someone who’s been bullied by simply being nice to him. Being friendly can go a long way toward letting him know that he’s not alone.

It is important for everyone in the community to work together to build a safe environment for all children. Partner with your child’s pediatrician, school district, and local community leaders to create anti-bullying messages and policies. Find more information at StopBullying.gov​.

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.