P&P October 2015

Breaking a Mindset of Scarcity Introducing Long-TermGoal Setting and Financial Well-Being into Our Systems

By Emily Campbell, Carrie Finkbiner, and Kate Griffin

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nter-generational poverty is a serious challenge for the ongoing health and well-being of our country, and the entire

The brain develops from the bottom up, starting with the most primitive functioning—breathing, heart rate, body temperature—then moving up to more sophisticated parts of the brain that are responsible for executive functioning—controlling impulses, planning, considering options, and adapting to changing circumstances. The experience of stress is an impor- tant component of development. A child’s developing ability to self-regu- late and modulate his or her response to stress becomes a critical component to long-term development, learning, growth, and resiliency. The foundation for optimal brain development occurs in the child’s earliest experiences with primary care- givers. Development occurs through the predictable rhythm of the caregiver response: presence of a stressor, infant is aroused; infant cues caregiver; the attuned, reliable, nurturing caregiver responds; arousal decreases. Through these “serve and return” exchanges a healthy, balanced system is established

social service sector is searching for answers. How do we break this cycle of poverty that limits the potential of children and keeps families strug- gling to financially survive, day to day? Behavioral economics, neuro- science, developmental psychology, and molecular biology together o er an interesting perspective and shed light on new skills our social service workforce needs to address inter- generational poverty. Biologically we are wired to survive. The brain and the body’s biological systems adapt to experiences, good or bad. When expe- riences are safe, reliable, positive, and supportive, the brain responds accord- ingly and is freed up to use its full capacity. Likewise, when experiences are unsafe or threatening—whether physically or emotionally—the brain responds by focusing its energy and resources on survival.

Illustration by Chris Campbell

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October 2015 Policy&Practice