History of Circle of Security-Parenting in Nebraska
Circle of Security-Parenting (COS-P) is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. It is intended to help caregivers increase their awareness of their children’s needs and assess whether their own responses meet those needs. COS-P is based extensively upon attachment theory and current affective neuroscience. It is also a basic protocol that can be used in a variety of settings, from group sessions (8 weeks) to family therapy to home visitation.
The focus of COS-P is based on the following themes:
- Teaching the basics of attachment theory via the Circle of Security™
- Increasing parent skills in observing parent/child interactions
- Increasing capacity of the caregiver to recognize and sensitively respond to children’s needs
- Supporting a process of reflective dialogue between educators and parent to explore both strengths and areas of parent difficulties (i.e., being “Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind,” supporting exploration, and supporting attachment)
COS-P History in Nebraska
A brief history on how much progress has been made in implementing COS-P across Nebraska.
State Partners in Nebraska
Circle of Security Parenting is a collaborative effort of many state partners including:
- Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Rooted in Relationships Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative
- The Early Development Network (Nebraska Department of Education-Part C)
- Nebraska Association for the Education of the Young Child (NeAEYC)
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- The Nebraska Association for Infant Mental Health
- Head Start State Collaboration Office
- Nebraska Resource Project for the Vulnerable Young Child