In parents’ words: Reflections on the social-emotional health system for young children experiencing homelessness

Even when high-quality, evidence-based social-emotional supports and services are available, accessing them can be challenging, confusing, or impossible for some families, especially for families experiencing homelessness. We utilized thematic analysis to explore the knowledge, skills, and networks (also known as community cultural wealth) that families experiencing homelessness use to promote their children’s social-emotional development. We also explored barriers to accessing needed services and families’ own recommendations to make the social-emotional health system more equitable and accessible. Parents reported that they were the most important people who promoted their child’s social emotional development and that their own personal strengths provided an avenue for buffering impacts of systemic challenges. Additionally, positive interactions with support people and positive experiences with programs were highly valued and impactful for families. Parents also reported barriers that interfere with receiving high quality social-emotional health services, including: (a) lack of awareness of available services and resources, (b) cost and eligibility criteria that were prohibitive, (c) negative experiences with service providers, (d) logistical barriers, and (e) personal challenges. Parents provided recommendations which guided our discussion of practice, policy, and research implications.