Poverty:
The classroom where I taught, was a collaboration of a special education program and a Head Start program. In order for those children to be eligible for Head Start services, their families income had to fall within the range of the poverty guidelines. So if we take an average size family with 4 people that means your income would be $22,350.00 or less (United States Department of Health & Human Services, 2011).
     So, each day I witnessed children and families who were struggling financially. One family comes to mind. There were 2 young boys, a mother and a boyfriend. The youngest of boys we'll call Bryan. His older brother, Steven, had been in my class previously. Steven was a child who qualified for both Head Start and special education services. Steven had delays in language an fine motor skills. When he transitioned for Kindergarten he still qualified for special education services. Bryan on the other hand was smart as could be. Personable and communicative, and extremely creative. He craved stimulation.
He loved to be challenged, and he was an active participant.


Hygiene and Attendance: Effect Biophysical and Biosocial
Bryan often came to school in dirty clothes which were to small for him. He too appeared dirty and unkept. His hair was neither washed nor brushed. And I know his mom did not encourage him to brush his teeth. Occasionally, Bryan would not come to school for a 4 day period. When I called his mother, she did not answer the phone. Once he did return back to school, she would bring him to school, and tell us she had taken the kids for a mini-vacation. 
    
Within our classroom, we followed Head Start guidelines and served meals. If you were a child who came in the morning, you ate breakfast and lunch. The afternoon children ate lunch and a snack. 


So in what ways did Bryan living in poverty effect him. In what ways did I empower him:
* Bryan was usually starving when he arrived at school. He was the first child to sit down at the table.   
   He would eat very fast. 
   * We always encouraged him to slow down when he ate. I always made sure he had seconds. I too 
      often brought in an additional "healthy," adages to our breakfast meal; such as yogurt. 


* Bryan's clothes were too small.
    *I had a grab bag of extra clothes available for him. Though his classmates also knew they too could  
      use them. I worked hard at making him feel that it was no big deal. " You must be growing over-
      night, because your clothes are getting too small." I often sent a note to families, (not Bryan's asking
      for clothes donations.) I too always let him wear the clothes home. I let his mom know that he had 
      could keep any "new clothes." She was alright with this.


* Bryan was dirty. 
      * Mondays were tough. He looked like he had taken a bath or days.
      *I had a wash cloth set up in the adult bathroom. I had taken him aside once and said, " Sometimes  
        we all forget to shower. So, if you are feeling like you want, you can wash up." On those dirty 
        days I would just give him a gentle nudge, and he and I would take a quick sponge bath.


* Teeth
   * He often had bad breath. 
   * I would continually follow up with mom when it was time for a 6 month check up. Our health 
      department, offers cleanings. I always had extra tooth brushes and tooth paste, that I put in his 
      backpack for him to take home. We allowed children to brush their teeth after meals. ( My least
      favorite Head Start rule). So eventually, Bryan knew he would always have a tooth brush at 
      his disposal.


Ways to challenge Bryan:
  * Bryan was a child, who I called environmentally deprived. He tried too hard at school. He often
     overcompensated, he was anxious about trying to learn as much as he could. 
  * I had to teach him to share, and to wait his turn. At his home, he was the smartest person in the 
     household. He almost had a six sense. For he understood his parameters at home. So he tried with
     all of his might to work hard and absorb all he could while he was in school. At Christmas time
     each year my office picked a family in need. Bryan and his family received donations. I created a 
     list of toys for my office. Ones which were of his interest and ones which challenged him. 
    
His need to be Creative:
  * Monthly, I sent home paper, markers, collage items. His mom gave me her permission. At our 
     conference, I asked if I could, and I showed her his unique works and explained how important
     it is to foster his creative side. 
  * I believe this was one of Bryan's coping skills at home. His outlet, his escape. 


Bryan's lead levels came back high. It was discovered that the house where they lived had lead paint. 
He never ingested it, but it was effecting him. His family had to be uprooted and stayed with relatives.
The Head Start in home specialist, worked with his mom to get her into low income housing. During this period of time, Bryan seemed a bit withdrawn. Not really understanding what was happening. He though perked up after he was moved into his new house. 


Overall, how was Bryan affected by his home life. Yes, he was hungry, dirty and over anxious. With time, he became very adaptable. He sensed that school was a safe place. He knew if he worked hard he would be ok. Within his house he was loved. His mom did try and support him. Though she dealt with her own personal challenges. I still check up on him. I have a teacher friend who sees him at the elementary school. She shares that he is doing very well. He still loves school. He plays on a local soccer recreation team. 


When he graduated from my classroom, I remember shedding a few tears, he was a child who I hoped would fight his way out of poverty. I know that Head Start and my classroom had a positive impact on his life.


Bryan's biosocial, psychosocial and cognitive development was truly effected by how he lived. Initially, he came to school, craving cognitive stimulation. He played by himself, and he was needy, in every sense of the word. When other parents came to visit, he was often too affectionate and wanted to be the center of attention. Bryan did not understand social, behavioral parameters. (biosocial) Yes he was eager to please, yet at home, he was manipulative. He too had to learn life skills, and understand their importance.  The home was unorganized and dirty. So at school we like the other children learned about cleaning up and taking care of our toys and ourselves. I provided social stories which focused on independence, self esteem and self control, and physical space and boundaries. Bryan gravitated towards and understood what he learned at school. I could not change Bryan's 
home environment. But I tried to give him the tools to learn how to adapt and survive living with poverty. 






                                                               Resources:


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). Federal Poverty Measures [Table]. Retrieved from the United States Department of Health & Human Services website: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml








ATHENS COUNTY OHIO:
Athens county is located in south east ohio. I went to College and graduated from their over 25 years ago. When I went to college it was obvious then that Athens county children many of them lived in poverty. In 2010 Athens story of poverty was a story on Dateline. (Friends and Neighbors America Now on Dateline 2010). The poverty rates in Athens county are very dismal. 51.9% of the people live under poverty line. 20% are unemployed.


So, what is happening to make a difference. Communities are making donations in the form of food to local pantries. They have set up employment counselors, to help unemployed find jobs. Adults for Basic Literacy is teaching those to work on getting GEDs. Workforce Individual Act is also assisting people to find jobs and work. The individuals who receive food stamps are able to use them at the local Farmers Market. Job Fairs are being set up for veterans and those who are unemployed in the region. An organization, "Recovery Conservation Corps," is providing summer jobs. 




* Note this segment on MSNBC is worth watching. I did not highlight all of the information as it was vast. 


Anne Curry(2010, July 26). Friends and Neighbors [Television broadcast] (with Ann Curry). New York, N.Y.: National Broadcasting Company. Retrieved from the MSNB website:                   Neighbors(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38382773/ns/dateline_nbc-america-now/t/friends-neighbors/#.T25DwniEq9x