License to Parent Podcast

St. Mary's University Law Professor Michael Ariens talks about how the law protects parents rights, and whether or not we could actually require a license to be a parent.

Meet Ashley Barnes, a mother of two in Minnesota who says their state-run parenting program has made a major difference in how she and her husband parent their children. If you'd like to learn more about our documentary film "License to Parent" please visit our website http://www.licensetoparentmovie.com. We welcome your support with the project.

The goal of Help Me Grow Florida is to promote healthy development for every child in Florida. Help Me Grow (HMG) is a unique, comprehensive, and integrated statewide system designed to address the need for early identification of developmental and/or behavioral concerns, and then to link children and their families to community-based developmental and behavioral services and supports. You can take part in our fundraising effort for the film by visiting: https://fromtheheartproductions.givecorps.com/projects/17112-documentaries-license-to-parent.

Tirza Nestel is a Dietitian/Nutritionist specializing in childhood nutrition. She received her Bachelors of Science degree as well as completed her Dietetic internship training at The University of The Incarnate Word. She is a member of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and The San Antonio Dietetic Association. Tirza has specialized in pediatric nutrition for over 16 years and provides nutrition education to parents of children with growth and development disorders, including autism, obesity, growth failure, behavioral feeding problems, and food allergies. She also enjoys public speaking and has presented multiple workshops/lectures on healthy living. Specialties also include creating and implementing nutrition programs for school-age children as well as providing shopping and cooking advice to families. Tirza has a true passion for the field of nutrition and dietetics and her mission is to inspire others to try new foods and make healthy eating fun and delicious. You can reach Tirza by email at: tirztirz8@gmail.com

Award-winning filmmaker Oliver Tuthill talks about his efforts to get a Children's Bill of Rights in Washington State. Oliver Tuthill has been a children’s rights advocate for over twenty years. He founded and was the Executive Director of Autumn Tree Productions from 1995 to 2005 and made documentary films about emotional child abuse which have won multiple awards and are distributed worldwide. He produced, wrote and directed the award-winning film “Children’s Rights: Why America Says No.” It featured Congressman Jim McDermott (D – Washington State) In 2002 he won the Washington State Governor’s Award in Media from former Governor Gary Locke and in 2003 he won the Prestigious Horace Mann Award. He currently serves as the President of Citizens for Children’s Rights. He is in development on a full length documentary feature about why children in the United States need their own bill of rights.

Our interview with Dr. Jack Westman, a man who has spent years developing public policies that strengthen families in order to ensure that every child has the opportunity to become a productive citizen. You can take part in our fundraising effort for the film by visiting: https://fromtheheartproductions.givecorps.com/projects/17112-documentaries-license-to-parent.