Podcasts about child abuse prevention

Laura Tancredi-Baese, the CEO of Home Start, chats about the organization's annual Blue Ribbon Gala -- "A Night of Amore Soiree" -- set for May 3 in Rancho Santa Fe.  Proceeds from San Diego's premier child abuse prevention fundraiser supports Home Start's vital programs and services.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 19 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.  For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Send us a textIn this episode, Russell Mark, President and CEO of Juliette's House, shares about the life-changing work happening at Yamhill County's child abuse intervention center.In our conversation, you'll learn:What Juliette's House actually does and how it supports children and familiesHow early intervention can change the trajectory of a child's lifeThe long-term impact of untreated childhood trauma on communitiesCommon misconceptions about child abuse—and the real statistics behind itHow schools, churches, and community members can play a role in preventionStories that reveal just how critical this work isPractical ways to support Juliette's House or get involvedHow Yamhill County is setting an example for community collaborationTo learn more about Juliette's House or to support their work, visit www.julietteshouse.orgThis episode is brought to you by The Joyful Roberts Group, a local family-run real estate team led by Daniel Roberts. To subscribe to our semi-monthly newsletter, click the link above.Support the show

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.We sat down with Fayetteville's Child Advocacy Center Prevention and Volunteer Coordinator, Faith Boehmer and Executive Director, John Webster to talk about the many ways the community can get involved in the prevention of Child Abuse in our community.Among the things we highlight:April 1: Public Pinwheel PlanitingApril 3: Annual Child Abuse SummitApril 4: Wear Blue DayMay 17: Fayetteville's Ultimate Lip Synch ShowdownLearn about these events and so much more when you visit.https://www.cacfaync.org

When we posted photos of us at our annual charity ball for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness (CAPA) and mentioned Megan was this years guest speaker on family violence, many of you commented that you wanted to hear her presentation- so here it is, in podcast form. We hope that you learn something new, help spread the word to educate others and help stop the violence. 

Schools have become sites of policing and surveillance that mirror the criminal legal system. To address this, we need to understand what our guest calls the “school-to-prison nexus,” the intersecting web of racist, carceral systems that criminalize our youth.We discuss the history of organizing against the school-to-prison pipeline and how the call for “Counselors Not Cops” needs an abolitionist framework to succeed. We also highlight important wins from decades-long fights like the recent vote to end the school resource office (SRO) program in Chicago Public Schools.Episode Guest:Erica Meiners is a writer, educator and organizer. Their recent books include For the Children? Protecting Innocence in a Carceral State, a co-edited anthology The Long Term: Resisting Life Sentences, Working Towards Freedom, and the co-authored *Feminist and the Sex Offender: Confronting Sexual Harm, Ending State Violence* as well as 2022's Abolition. Feminism. Now. Most importantly, Erica has collaboratively started and works alongside others in a range of ongoing mobilizations for liberation, particularly movements that involve access to free public education for all, including people during and after incarceration, and other queer abolitionist struggles. They are a member of Critical Resistance, the Illinois Death in Custody Project, the Prison+Neighborhood Arts and Education Project, and the Education for Liberation Network. Erica is also a sci-fi fan, an avid runner, and a lover of bees and cats.Episode Notes:Transcript: upendmovement.org/podcast/episode-205/Support the work of upEND: upendmovement.org/donateTo understand the difference between reforms and abolitionist steps to end family policing, explore our framework tool at upendmovement.org/frameworkWe mention the Repeal CAPTA episode of The upEND Podcast. Learn more about the efforts to repeal the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act at repealcapta.orgErica encourages people to check out the work of organizations like Critical Resistance, Dream Defenders, Movement for Family Power, and the blog Black on Both Sides.

David Cunningham has spent over 35 years as a transformational leader, coach, and educator, working with hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide. He draws from his personal experiences and lifelong commitment to love and consciousness to inspire others to live with purpose, grace, and love. His teachings have helped countless people awaken to their highest selves and realize the power of love in everyday life. Key Takeaways: ✅ Leadership isn't about being right—it's about being connected. ✅ Love is the most powerful leadership tool we have. ✅ Patience and presence create deeper relationships, even in difficult moments. ✅ A powerful stand is more effective than a righteous argument. ✅ Your ‘love footprint' matters—what are you leaving behind in every interaction? Quotable Moments: 

Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights in the United States, and federal laws have been enacted to combat it including: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. It defines trafficking in persons and establishes various means to combat it, including prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.Federal Laws: There are several federal statutes specifically targeting human trafficking:18 U.S. Code § 1581-1595 (Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons): This section of the U.S. Code addresses various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. It outlines criminal penalties for offenders.18 U.S. Code § 2421-2429 (Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes): These statutes criminalize transportation for illicit sexual activity, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities.18 U.S. Code § 1951 (Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence): This law, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, prohibits robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. It can be applied in cases where trafficking involves coercion or extortion.Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA): Passed in 2000 as part of the TVPA, the VTVPA enhances protections and assistance for victims of trafficking. It establishes the "T Visa" for victims of severe forms of trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to stay and work temporarily in the United States.Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): CAPTA, initially enacted in 1974 and reauthorized several times, requires states to have laws and policies in place to address child abuse and neglect. This includes provisions specific to child victims of trafficking.International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA): Enacted in 2005, IMBRA regulates international marriage brokers and requires them to conduct background checks on U.S. clients and disclose certain information to foreign national clients.Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA): Passed in 2015, JVTA strengthens existing anti-trafficking laws and enhances support for victims. It expands law enforcement tools, increases victim restitution, and provides additional resources for prevention and victim services.Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE): ICE plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly those involving international borders. It works in collaboration with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.These laws collectively provide a framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of human trafficking in the United States. They aim to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes. Additionally, various states have enacted their own laws addressing human trafficking, complementing federal efforts.Using these laws and cases like the R. Kelly case as precedent, the prosecutors have a roadmap on how to get to the finish line when it comes to these kinds of RICO/Human Trafficking cases.   The question is, do they have the evidence? to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Sean 'Diddy' Combs and what it takes to build a sex-trafficking case - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)Our journey through the Diddy court documents continues in this episode, with a look at the allegations  leveled at Diddy by Liza Gardner.  to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Complaint against Diddy and Aaron Hall - DocumentCloud

Jonathan Oddi's allegations against Sean "Diddy" Combs stem from a resurfaced 2018 interrogation video, where Oddi claimed to have been a "sex slave" for Diddy and singer Cassie Ventura. These claims, which include Oddi's allegations of drug use (such as "liquid cocaine") and sexually abusive behavior, have re-emerged amidst Diddy's ongoing legal troubles, although they were never substantiated, and no legal action was taken based on Oddi's accusations.Oddi, a former adult film star, made these claims following his arrest for a violent incident at the Trump National Doral Golf Club, where he engaged in a gunfight with police. While his accusations have been dismissed by many as delusional, they continue to draw attention, especially given Diddy's recent legal battles, which include other serious allegations involving sexual misconduct and abuse​.(commercial at 17:10)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comHuman trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights in the United States, and federal laws have been enacted to combat it including: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. It defines trafficking in persons and establishes various means to combat it, including prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.Federal Laws: There are several federal statutes specifically targeting human trafficking:18 U.S. Code § 1581-1595 (Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons): This section of the U.S. Code addresses various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. It outlines criminal penalties for offenders.18 U.S. Code § 2421-2429 (Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes): These statutes criminalize transportation for illicit sexual activity, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities.18 U.S. Code § 1951 (Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence): This law, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, prohibits robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. It can be applied in cases where trafficking involves coercion or extortion.Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA): Passed in 2000 as part of the TVPA, the VTVPA enhances protections and assistance for victims of trafficking. It establishes the "T Visa" for victims of severe forms of trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to stay and work temporarily in the United States.Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): CAPTA, initially enacted in 1974 and reauthorized several times, requires states to have laws and policies in place to address child abuse and neglect. This includes provisions specific to child victims of trafficking.International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA): Enacted in 2005, IMBRA regulates international marriage brokers and requires them to conduct background checks on U.S. clients and disclose certain information to foreign national clients.Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA): Passed in 2015, JVTA strengthens existing anti-trafficking laws and enhances support for victims. It expands law enforcement tools, increases victim restitution, and provides additional resources for prevention and victim services.Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE): ICE plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly those involving international borders. It works in collaboration with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.These laws collectively provide a framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of human trafficking in the United States. They aim to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes. Additionally, various states have enacted their own laws addressing human trafficking, complementing federal efforts.Using these laws and cases like the R. Kelly case as precedent, the prosecutors have a roadmap on how to get to the finish line when it comes to these kinds of RICO/Human Trafficking cases.   The question is, do they have the evidence? (commercial at 11:00) to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Sean 'Diddy' Combs and what it takes to build a sex-trafficking case - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

On this week's episode I spoke with Western Australian Police Officer Kristi McVee, a former detective and specialist child interviewer, she spent years investigating child sexual abuse and prosecuting pedophiles. In this chat, she gets real about the scope of the problem and the challenges you face as a cop chasing down pedophiles. She spent 10 years in the police force before retiring from the force. When she retired, she believed there was a better way to help. By taking a proactive approach, rather than a reactive approach, she knew she could help prevent child abuse and break the cycle of trauma that victims are so often subjected to. She founded CAPE-AU (Child Abuse Prevention and Education) to provide an educational service for parents, caregivers, and guardians around child sexual abuse protection and prevention. She recently published her first book Operation KidSafe: A Detective's guide to Child Abuse Prevention and hosts The CAPE Podcast.  Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Krisit McVee Editor: Kyle Watkins Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights in the United States, and federal laws have been enacted to combat it including: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. It defines trafficking in persons and establishes various means to combat it, including prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.Federal Laws: There are several federal statutes specifically targeting human trafficking:18 U.S. Code § 1581-1595 (Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons): This section of the U.S. Code addresses various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. It outlines criminal penalties for offenders.18 U.S. Code § 2421-2429 (Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes): These statutes criminalize transportation for illicit sexual activity, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities.18 U.S. Code § 1951 (Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence): This law, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, prohibits robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. It can be applied in cases where trafficking involves coercion or extortion.Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA): Passed in 2000 as part of the TVPA, the VTVPA enhances protections and assistance for victims of trafficking. It establishes the "T Visa" for victims of severe forms of trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to stay and work temporarily in the United States.Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): CAPTA, initially enacted in 1974 and reauthorized several times, requires states to have laws and policies in place to address child abuse and neglect. This includes provisions specific to child victims of trafficking.International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA): Enacted in 2005, IMBRA regulates international marriage brokers and requires them to conduct background checks on U.S. clients and disclose certain information to foreign national clients.Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA): Passed in 2015, JVTA strengthens existing anti-trafficking laws and enhances support for victims. It expands law enforcement tools, increases victim restitution, and provides additional resources for prevention and victim services.Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE): ICE plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly those involving international borders. It works in collaboration with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.These laws collectively provide a framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of human trafficking in the United States. They aim to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes. Additionally, various states have enacted their own laws addressing human trafficking, complementing federal efforts.Using these laws and cases like the R. Kelly case as precedent, the prosecutors have a roadmap on how to get to the finish line when it comes to these kinds of RICO/Human Trafficking cases.   The question is, do they have the evidence? (commercial at 11:00) to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Sean 'Diddy' Combs and what it takes to build a sex-trafficking case - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Frank Figliuzzi is a former FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence and the author of "The FBI Way" and "Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers.” Frank has a vast level of experience in law enforcement and is dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking.  Listeners can learn more about at his website and on IG @frank.figliuzzi In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, is joined with FBI veteran, Frank Figliuzzi to discuss the grim realities of human trafficking and its intersection with long-haul trucking. Figliuzzi highlights the tactics used by traffickers, the vulnerability of victims, and the disturbing reality of trafficking networks that operate in plain sight. Frank also discusses the importance of awareness, collaboration among law enforcement, and the crucial role truck drivers play in identifying and reporting trafficking activities. Show Notes: (0:00) Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum   (0:15) Sheryl intoduces guest, Frank Figliuzzi to the listeners (2:30) Discussion on the misconceptions about the sex worker trade (4:30) The prevalence of trafficking in various industries (9:25) “If you've got an intersection of multiple major interstate highways with an active train station and bus station, and you have a hub for interstate trucking and rest stops, you have a trafficking problem guaranteed.” (10:00) The importance of recognizing trafficking in local communities (14:00) Fact: The number one profession of serial killers is long haul truck drivers (17:00) The birth of the Highway Serial Killings Initiative (23:00) The role local agancies play on tackling trafficking  (26:00) The purpose of raising awareness in local communities (31:00) Frank on writing Long Haul: Haunting the Highway Serial Killers (35:00) Doing predictive analysis of trafficking victims  (40:05) “Girls lose their lives and their identities when customers start touching them.  They are no longer a person. They're a product.”  Thanks for listening to another episode! If you're loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review!  --- Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.   Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights in the United States, and federal laws have been enacted to combat it including: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. It defines trafficking in persons and establishes various means to combat it, including prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.Federal Laws: There are several federal statutes specifically targeting human trafficking:18 U.S. Code § 1581-1595 (Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons): This section of the U.S. Code addresses various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. It outlines criminal penalties for offenders.18 U.S. Code § 2421-2429 (Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes): These statutes criminalize transportation for illicit sexual activity, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities.18 U.S. Code § 1951 (Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence): This law, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, prohibits robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. It can be applied in cases where trafficking involves coercion or extortion.Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA): Passed in 2000 as part of the TVPA, the VTVPA enhances protections and assistance for victims of trafficking. It establishes the "T Visa" for victims of severe forms of trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to stay and work temporarily in the United States.Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): CAPTA, initially enacted in 1974 and reauthorized several times, requires states to have laws and policies in place to address child abuse and neglect. This includes provisions specific to child victims of trafficking.International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA): Enacted in 2005, IMBRA regulates international marriage brokers and requires them to conduct background checks on U.S. clients and disclose certain information to foreign national clients.Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA): Passed in 2015, JVTA strengthens existing anti-trafficking laws and enhances support for victims. It expands law enforcement tools, increases victim restitution, and provides additional resources for prevention and victim services.Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE): ICE plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly those involving international borders. It works in collaboration with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.These laws collectively provide a framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of human trafficking in the United States. They aim to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes. Additionally, various states have enacted their own laws addressing human trafficking, complementing federal efforts.Using these laws and cases like the R. Kelly case as precedent, the prosecutors have a roadmap on how to get to the finish line when it comes to these kinds of RICO/Human Trafficking cases.   The question is, do they have the evidence? (commercial at 11:00) to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Sean 'Diddy' Combs and what it takes to build a sex-trafficking case - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

The work of the state's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board has shifted in recent years to focus on not just prevention alone but on strengthening families. What might seem like a subtle change is having an impact. Overall the state is reporting fewer referrals to Child Protective Services and a decrease in substantiated allegations […]

Join Dr. Melissa Currie, a pediatric forensics expert at the University of Louisville, and Kosair for Kids Endowed Chair in Pediatric Forensic Medicine occupant, as she tells the story of the creation of this unit 17 years ago and the impact it has had on educating the community and all who interact with children to recognize and report child abuse before a death occurs. Her program has trained pediatricians who are interested in becoming forensics experts and has trained Kentucky's pediatricians and family physicians to be better equipped to recognize early signs of abuse and neglect. Go to the website, Home - Face It (faceitabuse.org), to see the resources you need to recognize the signs of early child abuse...and report it when you see it. Do you have comments or questions about Faculty Feed? Contact us at FacFeed@louisville.edu. We look forward to hearing from you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hscfacdev/message

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the "I Am Dad" podcast. Today, we have the privilege of hosting two remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to the realms of family mediation, parenting education, and responsible fatherhood. First, let me introduce Mark Perlman, MA. With an impressive 35 years of experience working with parents, children, and families, Mark has dedicated his career to strengthening family bonds. He is the esteemed author of "The Nurturing Father's Program," a transformative 13-week parenting curriculum for men that has been widely adopted by organizations such as Prevent Child Abuse, Head Start, the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative, and various state departments across the nation. In addition, Mark developed the "Marriage & Parenting Program (MA&PA)," which aids couples in successful co-parenting. His extensive leadership roles include serving as the past Executive Director of the Family Counseling Center, The Child Protection Center, and Fathers United Network (FUN) of Sarasota, Florida. Mark's expertise has also been recognized by his appointments to the Florida Commission on Responsible Fatherhood and the Governor's Child Abuse Prevention and Permanency Council. Above all, Mark is a proud father of two grown sons. Joining Mark is his son, Corey Perlman. Corey is a nationally recognized marketing expert, speaker, and consultant who recently celebrated the success of his third book, "Authentically Social!" which quickly became an Amazon bestseller in 2024. Despite his professional achievements, Corey's true passion lies in fatherhood. He has facilitated over ten Nurturing Father's programs, six of which were conducted within the walls of the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. Corey co-hosts the Nurturing Father's podcast with his father and cherishes the moments spent with his beautiful wife and two amazing children. Together, Mark and Corey Perlman embody the essence of dedication, compassion, and commitment to nurturing responsible fatherhood and strong family connections. Their combined experiences and insights promise to make this an enlightening and enriching conversation. Please join me in welcoming Mark and Corey Perlman to the "I Am Dad" podcast.

This week Andrea is joined by Kathleen Strader, the National Director for Healthy Families America, the signature home visiting program of Prevent Child Abuse America. Following the Take Care of Maya film and media coverage of so-called "medical kidnapping" and misleading coverage of child abuse, we move the conversation to solutions: what can we do to prevent child abuse? We delve into Kathleen's background dealing with child abuse cases and her work supporting families through home visiting programs. Their conversation touches on the complexities of child abuse, systemic issues, and the importance of supportive measures and interventions that meet families where they are. As we wrap up our coverage of the landmark Kowalski v Johns Hopkins All Childrens case, we issue a hopeful message of how we can alleviate one of society's most challenging problems. * * * Check out Prevent Child Abuse America. Preorder Andrea's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy. Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you're listening and helps us keep making the show! Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content. Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop Buy Andrea's books here. To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive bonus content. For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children's MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Pryce believed a career at Child Protective Services would be a rewarding way to help keep kids safe. What she learned on the job completely changed her mind, as the system itself kept getting closer and closer to home. Now she's a scholar of the system and works as a public advocate to help change it for the better.  Dr. Jessica Pryce joins us to talk about her new book, Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services—Notes of a Former Caseworker. Pryce earned her Master's of Social Work degree from Florida State University and a PhD from Howard University. She's currently a research professor at Florida State University's College of Social Work.  Transcript JESSICA PRYCE: I was very close to the people I worked with. I was in their homes. I was opening up their kitchen cabinets. I was talking to their neighbors. I was very close. But I wasn't engaging them. I didn't really see them. I was investigating them and objectifying them. BLAIR HODGES: When Jessica Pryce began working for Child Protective Services, she was shocked at some of the living conditions she encountered. She wanted children to be safe, so she worked with the courts and police to figure out who should be taken away from their parents or what parents needed to do to prove their fitness. It was a tough job, and it got even tougher when people she personally loved got wrapped up in the system. She started to see cracks in the foundation—ways the system harmed families instead of helping them. It set her on a path to advocate for big changes. In this episode, Jessica Pryce joins us to talk about her book, Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services. There's no one right way to be a family and every kind of family has something we can learn from. I'm Blair Hodges, and this is Family Proclamations. FIRST DAY WITH CPS - 01:31 BLAIR HODGES: Jessica Pryce, welcome to Family Proclamations. JESSICA PRYCE: Thank you so much for having me. BLAIR HODGES: Your book starts off right in the thick of things when you were a graduate student in social work. You'd landed this internship with Child Protective Services, CPS—this is a government agency that's tasked with protecting children from neglect and abuse. Take us to your first day in the internship when you visited the home of who you call Naomi Harden. JESSICA PRYCE: Sure. A big part of writing this book was me trying to make sure the reader understood what happens when you get a CPS case. On my very first day I was going to meet my internship supervisor and didn't really know what to expect. As soon as I got into the office, she had a case so we were thrust out into the field to go meet this mom. As an intern we're really supposed to observe and ask questions afterwards and take notes if we can. We weren't allowed to do any of the direct interviewing or things like that. It felt overwhelming at the time, but I still said, "Okay, I have my supervisor with me. I'll see what happens," and was bewildered by what we walked into. BLAIR HODGES: Naomi was a woman in her late twenties. She was Black. She was a mom of three. She'd been reported for an environmental hazard. When you got in the house, how did you feel? Do you remember walking in there and kind of taking it in? What was it like? JESSICA PRYCE: I do. It's one of those things you could never forget because I hadn't been in a house that looked like that. It looked very—you know, I'm trying to say messy, but it was it was deeper than that. It was clear that Mom was having some sort of issue around the home because typically, as I learned on that day, environmental hazards are deeper than a messy home. It really depends on the ages of the children, and because there was an infant in the home this became a huge issue for CPS. We know what infants do. They crawl around, they get into things. So I think that was why it was a big red flag for the system to go into the home in that way. Because again, I was shocked that we got called for messy homes, but because the child was so young they wanted us to come and investigate. BLAIR HODGES: You say you felt things like disgust and righteous indignation. You had an attitude toward the mom of like, "Who is this person? This is disgusting and terrible." JESSICA PRYCE: I did. I talk about the fact that I didn't grow up in a home like that and I had never seen a home like that. I immediately felt like, why would she do that? Why would she be raising kids in this sort of environment? So yes, absolutely came in thinking this is ridiculous. These kids shouldn't live here. We have to do something. That was my mentality at the time. ROLES IN THE SYSTEM - 04:07 BLAIR HODGES: It was so different from your upbringing. You grew up in this small town. Everyone cared for each other. It was a clean home. You didn't have to worry about environmental hazards in your house. You had parents who took good care of the home and of you. So this was like walking into an alien planet or something. You're learning quickly how removals of children might work, the type of people who are involved. Walk us through the roles of all the different people in the system who would be involved in deciding whether or not they needed to remove a child from a home. JESSICA PRYCE: We typically start with calling the reporter of the abuse. Around the country, there are mandated reporters. They call in a CPS report and we touch base with them on. what are your concerns? Is there anything else you want us to know about before we make contact with the family? BLAIR HODGES: This could be teachers, doctors, and stuff like that? JESSICA PRYCE: School social workers. We talk to the school, we talk to collateral contacts—which is sometimes neighbors. Again, these collateral contacts are people that don't live in the home but know the family. We're talking to teachers, school social workers, sometimes knocking on doors around the home to say, "We have this going on with this neighbor and her kids. What are your thoughts about it? Do you have any concerns about it?" After we compile all this information, if we feel there's a danger threat, we then have to call our attorneys, really debrief the case, tell them our concerns, tell them what we found, and they let us know, "Hey, this isn't enough for removal," or "I think we have something here, let's take it to the judge." That's how removals work. We have to consult with our attorney to see if there's enough to do that. BLAIR HODGES: You had to do it every time? Sometimes I'm sure you would just know based on the system's rules, you'd be like, "Oh, this is a pretty clear-cut case." But investigators have to call attorneys regardless, and then they would make the call, and then they would call a judge to get an order to remove the child—is that right? JESSICA PRYCE: What's interesting about that is we remove kids and then see the judge. We do talk to our attorneys to see if we have enough to petition the court, but that happens after the fact. As you read in the book, those children were removed before we ever went to court. So we do make the removal based on an attorney saying, "I think we have enough to do this. Go ahead and shelter the kids." Then we put the kids elsewhere, and generally the very next day we go before the judge. I learned very quickly during the early days of my internship that sometimes judges send kids back home. Sometimes judges say, “You know what? This looks like you did the right thing, let's keep them in foster care.” People don't realize we actually take kids away from families and then ask for permission to keep the removal. BLAIR HODGES: Sometimes police get involved too. That's another element of this, that cops can be involved in the removal process. JESSICA PRYCE: Absolutely. Generally, when we're removing kids we're encouraged to call law enforcement. In the book I take folks through my training, and during that training phase we are told if you're going to remove a child, also if you're dealing with family violence around intimate partner violence or domestic violence, we are encouraged to bring law enforcement. They play a big role in removals, because it gets very heated, and we wanted to make sure we had some support. BLAIR HODES: If I recall correctly, there are also special doctors who are licensed to assess children. They're going to look at a kid and figure out if there's been abuse and things like that, right? JESSICA PRYCE: Absolutely. If you're dealing with a case around particularly physical abuse, sexual abuse, and some cases with medical and physical neglect, we have physicians examine the child. That's really something we add to the evidence when we go to the judge. These are all pieces of the puzzle we're pulling together to take to the judge for a ruling. And sometimes the judge says, "Yes, the child should be removed." But the consolation prize, as I call it, for some families is, we're not going to remove your kids, but you're going to be monitored by the court for the next year or so. Again, somewhat a success, right? We didn't remove the children, but I think it's also important to know now you have the court system in your home really dissecting everything you're doing for the foreseeable future. NAOMI'S CASE – 08:28 BLAIR HODGES: Okay, so on the surface, Jessica, this seems pretty comprehensive. It seems fairly reasonable when we look at the process at this level. There are mandated reporters, there's investigators, there's attorneys involved, there's judges that make decisions, there's police that provide some protection, there's special doctors that assess the health of children, and it's an ongoing process. We all want children to be safe. This process seems important. It seems like it could work well. What your book does is show us the gaps in these services, the problems with some of these approaches and how yhe system disproportionately affects some people compared to other people. You experienced this firsthand. You had a follow up visit with Naomi, the mom you introduce us to at the beginning of the book, and she was told by the court to do certain things. When you went back, you were really troubled because you felt like she wasn't doing everything she could do. You felt like, “If I was a mom, I would be doing everything I could to prove I'm a worthy mom,” and you didn't see that with Naomi. So you were still bringing this judgment to her and now you had to build a case. Maybe talk about the case building that you had do at that point and the kind of things parents might be expected to do by the court to either prove they were fit to have their children or to get their children back. JESSICA PRYCE: With Naomi, I remember feeling like, why wouldn't she clean up her home in order to get her kids back? I just felt this was a very simple ask. But what I'm hoping people realize as they read the book, because a lot of these cases are left unresolved in the book—I give them what I experienced and then often I move on to a new case or I move on to the next part of my experience. And what I want folks to ask themselves, even if they're not in the field—I don't know who will read this book—is that what you would have done? Did that feel like a compassionate way to help a mom that was clearly going through something? If someone is not doing what you would do in a situation, how do we react? Do we react, saying, "You're not trying. You're not doing the right thing. Why are you doing it this way?" We need to ask ourselves, are we putting that judgment on this mom because it's something we would do? Are we projecting our standards on this person? Are we able to drill down into what's really going on? So she was asked to do several things, one of which was to clean up her home. There were several things I discovered a few weeks after her children were taken, and we realized she had been dealing with domestic violence in the past, that she was dealing with a lot of mental health issues. Her family started to weigh in on it. That she hadn't been the same since the domestic violence incident. She hadn't been the same since the birth of her child. It hit me in that moment, we saw what we saw, and we made—in my opinion, with our knowledge at the time, we made—the decision we thought was best. But what happens with a lot of families is we miss what's truly going on. As you saw in the book, we placed the children with Grandma, she lived about an hour away. We thought we were fixing a situation, but it created so many other issues with the kids possibly having to move schools, and Grandma being an elderly woman that doesn't drive much anymore. It became this issue of what does the system need to do differently with families? How do we pull the community in to help a family stay together? Somebody asked me who's read the book, "Why can't we bring in people to help clean the home? And mental health services?" Again, I know we're living in a certain type of world, but that was the point of the book. I wanted people to see what CPS professionals see every day and how they might have done things differently, and what we did in the moment and why we did it. INTRUDE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE – 12:07 BLAIR HODGES: I think you made it clear the one person in the entire scenario that didn't get support was Naomi. There were things that could have been done perhaps to help her, instead everything was put on her in a sense of blame and shame and personal responsibility, instead of looking at systems and things around her that were contributing to this. Postpartum depression, and abuse, and mental illness—all of the different things that could be addressed for Naomi, and that's not what the system was doing. You found that more and more as you were working there, because you didn't just internship there, you became a full-time employee. That's when they took you through a short training. It's so funny when you're talking about how short it is. You're like, compared to what we're doing, it was pretty lightning quick to tell us what to do. [laughter] I have this quote from the training materials, it says, "CPS intervention should intrude as little as possible into the life of the family, be focused on clearly defined objectives, and take the most parsimonious path to remedy a family's problems." That's an ideal that you say did not match the reality of what you ended up doing. JESSICA PRYCE: Absolutely. I was in that training cohort with other colleagues that had either been in the field or done an internship and we're in training thinking, "Wow, this sounds good." And I do understand what they're asking us to do, but how are we not translating what we're learning into actually what we're doing in the field? That continues today, where people are trained, and then they come into the field and their supervisors and colleagues say, "I know you just got trained, but let me tell you what we're really going to do." I think that disconnect continues to create confusion and moral conflict with folks that are coming into the field to actually promote child safety. What we really start to do, as other colleagues of mine have said, if we start to police families and over surveil them—a lot of families are under surveillance and we're really not getting to what's actually going on. BLAIR HODGES: The idea of “intruding as little as possible,” that's fine to say, but there weren't a lot of actual ways to monitor that. To say, what does it look like to intrude as little as possible? Because a CPS case against a family can really take over a life. JESSICA PRYCE: Indeed. And someone recently asked me what would that even look like if CPS wasn't intrusive? My only answer to that was, a lot of things would need to change. We would need to partner with families in a different way—as opposed to going in their home, walking through rooms, opening up cabinets—we would actually have to partner with not just that family, but extended family on, what are the needs? Do I need to go in here and do what I just did, or can we actually sit down and talk about, do you have food? Do you have material needs that are not being met? What can we do to support you in that way? BLAIR HODGES: There would have to be a lot of trust built there too, because as the current system is, people might be reluctant to say whether they needed food or not or anything like that. That's because of stories they hear about how CPS works, and the adversarial relationship you describe between investigators in the system and the families that are undergoing it. We're talking today with Jessica Pryce. She's a research professor at Florida State University's College of Social Work. Her book is called Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services. SCOPE AND SYSTEMIC RACISM – 15:23 BLAIR HODGES: Jessica, I wanted to zoom out a little bit and just talk broad scope, give us a general sense—you might not have the exact numbers off the top your head, we're just trying to get an idea of how big the CPS system is. How many investigations are happening, how common it is for kids to get taken into the system? Give us that broad scope of the system. JESSICA PRYCE: Absolutely. In a given year, there could be four hundred thousand youth in foster care. I believe in one of the years that I wrote about in the book, there were seven million cases called in across the country. That gives you a sense of how many people are calling in reports. I believe four million of those calls were actually screened in. I talk about in the book, every call that comes in isn't taken. We were thankful for that. The folks taking these calls try their best to screen out ones that don't seem like abuse is really happening. Then they screen in ones that really meet the protocols and the metrics they have to look for in order to accept a case. The data is clear in most of the states in this country, Native American children and Black children are experiencing disparate outcomes. They're spending more time in foster care. They're spending more time under court mandated services, meaning they didn't get taken out of their home, but their families are being overrun by the courts for a period of time, usually minimum of one year. And these youth are also moving from place to place more once they're put in the system. And the path to reunification is much longer for Black and Native youth. So that's a little bit of the data around disproportionality, disparity, and the broad strokes of how many cases the system is seeing each year. BLAIR HODGES: Let's look a little more at the racism here, because some people might hear what you just said and say, "Oh, well I guess Black parents and indigenous folks need to be better parents. It's on them. Of course, they would have more because XYZ." How do you educate people against that kind of racism and bias? JESSICA PRYCE: A lot of people feel that way. They really look at the fact that these families are who they are and they have a certain mindset toward these families. They say, "Well, of course that makes sense. They're abusing their children more." But there's actually data and scientific studies that have been done that actually have evidence against that notion. That Black and Brown families don't abuse their children more, but they're reported more and have their children taken more. So I try to educate people on what's happening and not the narrative, and also not the narrative we have in our minds around certain family. There's also a big discussion right now, that in my opinion, continues to happen around the conflation of neglect and poverty. At this point we're at 76% of the cases that come into child welfare nationwide have a maltreatment code of neglect. Often neglect is parents not meeting needs. That's the definition. They're not getting enough food to their kids. Kids are going to school and stealing lunches. These parents may not be taking their children to get medical care. These parents may not have a place to live. This broad idea of neglect is driving families into the system. When you think about the fact that indigenous families and Black families are overrepresented in the impoverished population, you start to realize there is this connection between poverty, systemic racism, and the long journey of social and racial disadvantage for families. ERICA'S CASE – 19:05 BLAIR HODGES: So it usually affects people in poverty, more often than not. Sometimes people aren't in poverty when they get trapped into the system. I think one of the most arresting parts of your book is the personal stories you tell, because things got personal for you really fast when you started working for the system. I'm thinking about your friend Erica. Tell us a little bit about Erica and how she got tangled up into your experience as a caseworker. JESSICA PRYCE: I'm so grateful I was able to share that story because that was really pivotal for my development. When people ask, "You thought a certain way in the system, and then you started to shift," I said, "Yeah, because I started to see people in my familial and social networks become entangled in the system." That's what brought me to sharing the story of Erica. And I appreciate her walking alongside me as I wrote this book. Essentially, I was in my full-time position at the Department of Children and Families, doing CPS investigations. One day there was a case that came in and a colleague took that case, and it was on my friend Erica. I was very shocked. I knew Erica had been providing caregiving duties for her godchild at the time. She had been going through a lot. She was a college student and trying to figure out how to take her courses, take care of this four-year-old, and the child's parents were in many different ways just unavailable, unreachable, and not helping at the time. Stress got to her in a situation where she did corporal punishment as a consequence for behavior. And she was reported to CPS for physical abuse. As I share in the book, everything that happened after was insane, in my opinion. I was caught in the middle of it because I understood on the system side, we have a four-year-old with evidence of abuse, based on what we call abuse and what the policies say about physical abuse, and we have a person who is not her biological mother. We need to shelter this child right away. I understood that in theory, but having the close connection I had with Erica, knowing that at that time there was possibly no other person on the earth that cared about that child as much as she did, it was really a tough situation to walk through. BLAIR HODGES: Erica is caring for this young girl. The girl's parents are experiencing poverty. Mom went back to New York, believed they would leave the girl with Erica for a certain time. And you describe the corporal punishment thing, because technically corporal punishment is legal. That's a big question about whether that should be the case, but it was. And it was something Erica seemed reluctant about herself, but felt backed into a corner, just didn't have the parenting tools and the skills and the support as a parent to deal with a child who was experiencing real trauma. That trauma was coming out in bad behavior and causing problems for Erica's life. So that's when she started spanking and doing this, and at one point leaves bruises on the child. In the meantime, the child's mom who's experiencing poverty was seeking public assistance, and that's how CPS got involved on her side of things—not to find out how to help but to assess her. She went to get help, and instead of, "How can we help?" it was like, "What's wrong with this person. We need to evaluate this person." Again, the system has this adversarial approach, even when people try to seek help it can start to cause problems. This little girl, her mom on one side and Erica on the other, were both going to get sucked into the system. As you said, you knew Erica as a wonderful person. She's your best grad school friend. What a shock it must have been. You describe the scene where the girl, who you knew, shows up in your office. You have no idea what's going on. All of a sudden, she's right there behind your chair, excited to see you because she knew you. JESSICA PRYCE: Yeah, and children don't come into the office unless they're on their way into foster care. When I saw her I knew something has gone terribly wrong. I did not know what had happened at that point. I had been working the entire day on my own cases and realized pretty quickly that Erica was about to be under a lot of scrutiny and was about to go through a situation and a process I take a lot of parents through. But watching how it affected her really made me reluctant to do that to other parents. To your point, Erica is on this side of the situation, and then Didi—which is the pseudonym I gave Madisen's biological mom in the book—Madisen is the little girl—is on the other side of this trying to get herself together in a very difficult, in my opinion, place to live in this country. It's super expensive. Trying to rebuild her life. Meanwhile, this chaotic exchange has happened in Florida around corporal punishment, which a lot of people have feelings about. I could have written, "There was a corporal punishment situation," but I wanted people to think about their reactions to that scene in the book. Because I know people are going to react to, “That should never have happened, this is completely inappropriate.” But I think that is a snapshot of a much larger picture that I knew of at the time, but others didn't. I realized when I go to meet a mom on a case I am seeing a snapshot and this person has an entire life and existence that is worth trying to figure out. BLAIR HODGES: I was shocked by the numbers you report. Anywhere between forty and seventy percent of parents have reported spanking at some point. That's huge. That's a lot of people. When does it cross the line from legal corporal punishment to abuse that the system would intervene about? JESSICA PRYCE: This is a discussion that's been going on for quite a while, but I can say when it comes to CPS if there are marks or bruises—and often these marks or bruises are left unintentional, and I know that might sound strange to people because they think, "Well, if you hit a child, you're intentionally causing that”—There are a lot of people that spank their kids and there are never any marks. So I don't think most parents intend to leave marks on their children when they are trying to provide a consequence to certain behaviors. For CPS, the line is crossed if there's evidence of marks and bruises on the child. But again, even when that happens I'm hoping the system continues to evolve into, what do we do at this point and what should be our next steps? Because the immediate ejection of a child because of that isn't working very well for the system. There are a lot of issues going on—not enough foster parents, not enough placements, too many kids in the system. So how can we tease that out and find some nuances. Like okay, maybe there is stress, maybe this parent made this decision and it went further than they thought it would go. But is that an immediate ejection? Is that an opportunity for the system to say, Hey, we see this happen. We don't like it. We don't think it was the best thing to do. But how do we partner toward a future where this doesn't have to happen and this mom actually gets the help, and what you said earlier, the parenting tools she needs? BLAIR HODGES: Erica felt up against the wall. She's a student. She had to start working to afford daycare and other expenses. That made her spend even less time with Madisen. She's desperate to find a way to get Madisen's behavior to change because daycare is saying maybe we can't have Madisen here. She's desperate. She's trying to find anything. Again, it comes down to whether she had enough money to keep this going, whether she could be supportive, whether she could learn parenting tools different than corporal punishment. None of that was happening. Instead, the bruises happened and then the system comes in to say, "Did this person harm the child? We need to protect the child and possibly prosecute the caregiver." In fact, Erica was later arrested for this, and you describe the case in the book. RACHEL'S CASE – 27:12 BLAIR HODGES: Now, if that was all you had encountered as a caseworker, in terms of it touching your personal life, that would have been a lot. But that wasn't the only way your personal life got tangled up. This next part really shocked me. I have to say, Jessica, it shocked me because I'm thinking about Rachel, this is your sister. You actually yourself reported her to CPS while you're working for the system. What was it like to include this really personal story in the book? JESSICA PRYCE: Essentially, I will say it was not easy to include it because it talks about culpability and the way I used to think and what I thought in that moment. I really appreciate that my sister to this day talks about how the system intends to help but often they exacerbate already very fraught situations. I appreciate her willingness to continue to advocate for change, specifically relating to domestic violence and child welfare. Although it wasn't easy, I wanted to include it because this continues today. When there is a domestic violence situation, we're trying to figure out which victim we're going to actually come in and try to help, and who gets protected in a situation like that. At the time I felt very much like CPS and law enforcement was the best route to take when I made the call. But I realized perhaps I was naive. What happened after that with my sister, I realized her life all of a sudden became even more stressful than it was before. Again I, at that moment, maybe being a little bit naive, called it in because she was experiencing domestic violence, but realized after that her stress levels were increased and services and support weren't there the way I thought they would be. BLAIR HODGES: You talk about the double bind your sister was in, and that a lot of women are in. She was abused by her partner. She was abused. When the system got involved, she also becomes a suspect of the system because they want to know if she is a perpetrator for not protecting the children from domestic violence, or even perhaps just witnessing domestic violence. Now she's gone from being a victim to being a suspect. JESSICA PRYCE: Absolutely, and I think states are moving away from the term "failure to protect." There was a time where that was the buzzword, that this mom is failing to protect her children. Although we're moving away from that term, there are still ways in which we come on the scene and there is a mom victim, and we're trying to ask questions here and there about, "We see this is happening, what are you going to do next to protect these kids? What are you going to do next to protect your home from this perpetrator?" This is a tough situation to talk about. I think people who read the book might have certain thoughts and feelings about it. And I welcome that. I welcome folks to say, "Well, a mother should protect her kids." And “She must do this, and she must do that.” And what I'm hoping they also stop and think is what it feels like to be a victim of domestic violence, because that's an entirely other phenomenon we need to really consider. Again, I don't know if CPS is prepared to understand the dynamics associated with that sort of abuse. BLAIR HODGES: There are all kinds of reasons why someone like your sister might not call. They might have some mental health issues because of the abuse that would lead them to want to cling tight to the relationship out of trying to be protective. Or maybe there are financial reasons. They're trying to protect the circumstances they're currently in and if they left, they wouldn't have resources to care for their kids. There's a ton of different reasons why. And again, the system is not coming in and saying, "How can we support this person who's been abused and their kids and get them out of the situation?" It's trying to figure out if they have culpability in some way. JESSICA PRYCE: Yeah, and they come with a lot of, "We want you to go do this, we want you to go do that. We want you to go and take care of this." It becomes this rat race of a mom trying to do these things, because now you're under surveillance and one wrong step, or one thing you don't do, are you going to lose your kids today? And I think that was the fear she had. A lot of parents I talk to have that same fear. I'm going to go do what they told me to do, even though it doesn't feel relevant. It's not helpful. It's not genuinely something I need. But if I don't, what are going to be the repercussions for me? Again it's policing and pushing families into experiencing certain services, when we didn't do the due diligence to actually see what they really needed. MORAL INJURY – 31:57 BLAIR HODGES: They might be telling them to go take some classes or do things that further burden. Maybe they already don't have time for stuff and now they have to do a bunch more. Like you said, it's not meeting the immediate need. It's adding more needs. You describe this time, and again it's not just the people who are being investigated that the system can harm, you also talk about the dangers of the system on the employees themselves. You experienced a lot of work-related stress, and double binds, and difficulties that affected your own mental health and your own sense of wellbeing. “Moral injury” is a term that comes up in this context. I wondered about your thoughts about moral injury and the impact on employees themselves. Because you saw burnout. You saw people working and then leaving. So many people came in, worked, and then got out of there. You yourself did that. Talk about the moral injury side of things. JESSICA PRYCE: I didn't want to write this book and not mention this, because if I'm anything, I am going to speak truth about the system, but I'm also going to say the professionals on the front lines doing this work, it's far bigger than them. I think there are systemic issues, systemic racism, systemic dysfunction, and we are on the front lines trying to do the work to the best of our ability. Some people start to really experience that moral conflict, this idea of, "I'm making decisions, I'm doing certain behaviors to protect myself or protect the system. But am I really helping these families?" I started to feel that big time with what happened to my friend, what happened to my family, and then how that impacted the moms I started to interface with throughout my career. I also realized that, as it related to me and law enforcement, I think I put in the book that people don't know who's there to help. I arrive with law enforcement and I'm there trying to investigate child abuse, but these parents are looking like, “Are you here to arrest me? Are you here to help me? What is actually going on?” That conflict started to manifest in me as well. I call law enforcement because I feel safer. But what is that creating with this interaction? What is that actually doing to this interaction for the next few moments? And as you said, I started to experience a lot of anxiety. Ultimately, that impacted my departure from the system. The anxiety got to the point where I really couldn't manage anymore, and the stem of that anxiety was just the feelings of moral distress and moral injury I was perpetuating on families. ABOVE THE FRAY OR ON THE FRONT LINE – 34:43 BLAIR HODGES: That's Jessica Pryce. For the past fifteen years, she has been working in child welfare from multiple angles—directing casework, and then researching, teaching and training, and policy development. She's provided training to over two hundred child welfare organizations now, and we're talking about her book Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services. Jessica, you left the system, but you couldn't leave it alone, so to say. You wanted to know more about it. You went to Howard University to study it. A lot of people think universities are disconnected from life. There's a stereotype that if you become a researcher or go to university, you're in the ivory tower. You're away from real life so you're not able to grasp it. You brought your own personal experiences of being on the ground to the university and say in some ways it gave you an even closer perspective than you had before. You could really zoom in on the history of it. What did you learn about the history of CPS when you went to Howard University? JESSICA PRYCE: I often talk about the importance of proximity to families you're serving. When I first read a book called Just Mercy years ago, Bryan Stevenson talked about how you really need to be in close proximity to folks you're trying to help. It dawned on me I was very close to the people I worked with. I was in their homes. I was opening up their kitchen cabinets. I was talking to their neighbors. I was very close. But I wasn't engaging them. I didn't really see them. I was investigating them and objectifying them. When I zoomed out, when I left the system, I did go to the ivory tower but then I was able to look at the history of child welfare—something I never knew about, something that wasn't taught in training, which of course it wouldn't be—and realized that at the onset of child welfare, Black families weren't even allowed to be serviced by the system. They had to go a completely different route, because they were seen as inferior. And as I tracked child welfare over time, I started to realize those remnants of systemic exclusion and systemic racism were still around in many facets of the system today. That's when I went down the path of looking at disparity, disproportionality—looking at Black professionals and how they viewed the system. Also looking at leadership changes and how that impacts policy. So it was huge for me to go—I think it took about five years—to really look at the system, write a dissertation, do some research. But I felt closer to the system at that point than I did when I was actually working with families. Because again, I was too close. And I think when I zoomed out I was able to get to the bottom of a lot of things. It really ignited this advocacy that I wanted to do something to help child welfare professionals, and by helping them create more ethics and create more compassionate services, ultimately to help families. WHEN INDIVIDUAL BLAME GOT BAKED IN – 37:36 BLAIR HODGES: I think laying out the history matters so much. You show how in 1974 the United States passed this law, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. It was informed by a group called Mothers Anonymous, then called Parents Anonymous. A woman who went by Jolly K. was abusing children. She came to see the error of her ways, changed, and then became this huge advocate for preventing child abuse or addressing child abuse in the United States. This law gets passed. Then you point out something really important here we've talked about all along the way, that it was a very individualist ideology here. The idea was to identify parents as the perpetrators and to not really, at all, look at systems around the parents. Don't look at the economy. Don't look at jobs. Don't look at parental leave. Don't look at anything else other than, “If you harm a child, you're a bad person, and you made that individual choice, you bear all the blame.” So that Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act was intended to help kids. It created this reporting system and then, to this day, laws direct money to programs that investigate parents based on this individualist approach, instead of putting funds into better mental health services, into better affordable housing services, into schools and programs that can help parents and children have better relationships and help alleviate the stresses that can lead to abuses, that can lead to neglect. Rooted in how these laws came together, you show clearly how society is focusing on individual blame, not systemic change. When you learned that at Howard, I'm just interested in your own process there because like you said, you were so close to the system. What was it like for you personally to learn that history and start to have to digest it? JESSICA PRYCE: It was bewildering and it was overwhelming, but it also created this motivation to make sure that I'm educating others, and to make sure I am always challenging people to look at how we perpetuate harm, how we perpetuate the very harmful parts of history in modern times. So it has created in me this idea that I'm not going to shy away from saying to child welfare professionals, “I used to be you. It's really hard. You're overwhelmed. You're overtaxed, and you're possibly dealing with burnout and moral injury, but families deserve a person that is going to do everything we can ethically to consider the full picture.” I appreciate you bringing up Parents Anonymous, because that was really eye-opening for me when I started to look at that, and look at congressional testimony around Jolly K. I think her story captivated America during that time because she was accepting accountability, some would say, that she was abusing her child. But she was very vocal that nothing was impacting her doing that. Now later, we found out that Jolly K. experienced so much mental illness, that she herself had been abused, and there were so many things that were going on with her that people didn't really pay much attention to. But again, I think that time in history created for child welfare, a microscope on the mom or a microscope on the dad, and what are you doing? Why can't you be better? BLAIR HODGES: You had seen that microscope come into the lives of people you loved. Erica, as I mentioned, your friend, was arrested. She does eventually get out of jail, and somehow is able to make it through the system. She adopts Madisen. People might say that seems like a happy ending then because it all worked out. But first of all, you invite us to remember all the things Erica had to go through, and Madisen, the child. But you also want us to say hold on, what happened to Madisen's mom? To Didi? There was no help there for her. So a happy ending is really complicated here. JESSICA PRYCE: Absolutely. And in the first iteration of this book, Didi's perspective wasn't included and the publisher said, "Is there any way you can get some interviews with her?" And I took a long shot. I said, "I really don't want to write this without your story." So I appreciated being able to interview her because again, in one way, it was a happy ending—we had a permanent placement between a child and a person where they were bonded and loved, and this wasn't a stranger she was being adopted by, this is somebody she really cared about. But I want the reader and folks that are considering adoption to stop and think: What world do we need to build where Didi would have had the help, the services, the support, to bring her child back in her home? Because again, I think people are going to have mixed feelings and thoughts around Didi and her behavior if you focus on the actual behavior and decisions she's making without looking at the systemic barriers she was also experiencing. WRITING AS AN ADVOCATE -  BLAIR HODGES: You say this wasn't necessarily the book you set out to write. Your publisher helped with that. You talk about in the book that originally you conducted research with Black women in particular who were in the system. You wrote in a third person voice as a researcher, an intellectual book, and the publisher and your editor challenged you to dig deeper and said, "You know, I think you can reach more people if you make this a personal story." That was intimidating for you. Talk about that, because there's a big shift. You were a CPS agent, an academic researcher, and this book is written more in the voice of a public activist. That's a different role altogether. JESSICA PRYCE: I was overwhelmed and a little bit scared about switching gears. As I sit here today, I'm extremely grateful I was challenged and pushed in this direction because I want child welfare professionals to read the book, maybe they feel certain things about the book, maybe they feel like, "Oh, I'm pinched here. I'm jabbed here. But I'm supported there and validated there." Because there are nuances to doing this work that I don't want people to miss. I don't want people to assume all child welfare professionals are evil creatures that are snatching kids. I don't want that. But I also don't want them to assume they're all benevolent. So how do we bring this together in a balanced way to say this is a very difficult job, and I was able to show that, I hope, in the pages, because it was very difficult for me when I started in that work. But how do we push ourselves as a workforce and challenge ourselves to do things differently, not just better, because we can get better and better because in many ways we have, but things haven't changed. There's not a difference in how we're approaching the families we're supposed to be serving. JATOIA'S CASE – 44:31 BLAIR HODGES: Oh, that reminds me of Jatoia Potts. This is a mom who lost her children because of no fault of her own, it turns out. This is a story of grave injustice. Maybe take a second to tell us about Jatoia Potts' story. The follow-up question I have for it is whether it ever feels completely overwhelming. You're facing such difficult odds and change seems to be slow. Tell us about Jatoia's experience and then how it affects you personally now that you're an activist. Is there activist burnout? Is there activist fear? JESSICA PRYCE: As you read the book, you see I'm taking folks back to when I first started in the field, but I also wanted them to see these things are still happening. So you have stories that happened in 2008 and 2009, which feels like a long time ago, so you could read the book and say, "Oh, that's over. Why has she taken us through all that?" But then you see a story that happened in 2021, 2022, and 2023. That's where Jatoia came in. She was at the other end of my career, where I'm moving into the academic space. I'm speaking, I'm training, and I'm also doing quite a bit of expert testimony in TPR trials—TPR is the “Termination of Parental Rights.” If folks don't know what that means, it's when a court says legally you are no longer the parent to this child, and that clears children for adoption. When I became connected to Jatoia, I became an expert witness in her TPR trial. Again, this was someone who started to suffer at the intersections of all the things we've been talking about: systemic racism, systemic dysfunction, and this narrow view of, “What did this mom do? Did she react the way we wanted her to react? Did she make decisions the way we would have made a decision? Surely she's done something wrong.” There was this mindset toward her, as folks will read, that she can't be exonerated. She certainly did something that hurt this child. And I'm so grateful Jatoia shared her story throughout this book. I think her placement in this book was huge because I don't want people to think the early cases of me when I was a twenty-two-year-old investigator are a thing of the past. These things continue to harm mothers to this day and it often results in literally severing the ties between a mom and her children. BLAIR HODGES: Someone like Jatoia becomes connected to you and is willing to use her voice to speak out about these issues. So some moms will turn into activists about the system, but not many of them either, and you also understand that. Talk about that, the fact that some moms and dads even can step forward and advocate, but a lot of others can't. Talk about those dynamics. JESSICA PRYCE: I'm always amazed when parents turn this sort of pain into purpose. That is a really good example for Jatoia and another mom in the book that I was able to highlight. To them, they want to do all they can to discuss their story, to connect with other mothers or other parents that are going through this, and to do as much community work as they can to make changes. I often say if I were Jatoia, I would want nothing to do with this case. I would want nothing to do with CPS. I would want nothing to do with being front facing for the movement. But I'm always astonished by her power that she's taken back, right? And also her resilience, and as I put in the book, Jatoia sees this as a much larger purpose than her individual story. When a mom goes through this now, Jatoia is a resource for them. And I think it's amazing. PLAYING JENGA: AN ANALOGY FOR THE FUTURE - 48:18 BLAIR HODGES: Take us through the Jenga analogy. Jenga is this game people might know where you're building these blocks, and the blocks are all stacked up and you're pulling one block out and putting it on top. You just kind of keep doing that. You use this Jenga analogy to talk about the system itself because a lot of listeners might be wondering, does the system get anything right? How solid is the system? Are there some people that are being helped by it? Are we just looking at rearranging a few pieces or do we need a fundamental change? JESSICA PRYCE: I'll start with responding to the question of, “Is the system doing anything right? What are we doing well?” I'll start by saying that I often talk about this, I believe the system needs to be here. I know not everybody believes that, but I believe that we need a CPS system—but we need a CPS system that investigates actual child abuse. I hope in my lifetime I see a parceling out of, what is child abuse and what is a family crisis? What is economic stratification? What is poverty? What is mental illness? I personally don't think CPS should be investigating as much as they're investigating. So back to the question. When there has been abuse, when there has been a child that has been willfully harmed by their caregiver, I absolutely think CPS is a structure that comes in and it's very clear this child needs protection and there needs to be accountability for what happened. I just wanted to put that out there, that I do think when it comes to willful abuse and children that are in need of help, this system can really step in in that way. Then when I go to other issues that are societal and community wide, CPS in my opinion is a little bit out of their depth. I think when it comes to neglect and poverty and mental illness and things of that nature, I don't think they're the best source of support. I don't think they're the best mechanism or structure to really come in and try to figure out what's going on with that family. You brought up Jenga, and Jenga became a powerful metaphor for me because I play it a lot with my nieces. And I realized we do that with child welfare. The entire point of Jenga is you move a block and you put it on top of the Jenga system. You're doing all you can not to make the system fall. You're just keeping it standing up. You're moving blocks from here and there, very rarely touching the bottom. If you're touching the bottom, you're being very meticulous about it, because again, we don't want the system to fall. I realized we're doing that in child welfare, and we have for a hundred years, continued to move programs, move services, add something here, add something there, but we're putting it back on the same system. But we're not getting to the root. We're not getting to the dysfunction and the assumptions that have been found in years of policies that are really driving the things we're doing. And until we actually get to the bottom of child welfare and until we start moving blocks from below and changing those blocks, I think we're going to continue to perpetuate what we're seeing. If we continue to have a block at the very bottom of our system that is absolutely targeting and blaming parents, then we're going to continue to be punitive and blaming parents with the policies and the practices we're doing. So I challenge folks to consider letting it fall. It's scary—the idea of letting the system fall down is huge and scary. People are like, "This is my livelihood. This is how I work." I think it takes courage to build something new, but that's what I'm advocating for—not being too afraid to go to the foundation of a system and say, “Why do we think this? Why is it built on that? Why are these families excluded? Why don't we send every parent to a parenting class? Why do we do the things that have built this system?” If we start to really tease that out and dismantle that part, and then rebuild a system that actually investigates actual abuse, right? And then diverts families that need assistance and support, I think that's when we get to rebuild something that we're actually proud of and rebuild something professionals can come into and feel less moral conflict, hopefully less burnout, and the families can really experience a different system. BLAIR HODGES: Do you have hope that we can move in that direction? JESSICA PRYCE: I do. I do. And the reason why I have hope is because child welfare, as a system, is doing things differently today. I was just at a convening this week around kinship care. Kinship care is when you remove a child from the home if there's a safety threat, but you place with family. Although I think we've always wanted to place with family, we haven't been having discussions about, “Are we supporting kinship here as much as we support a foster placement?” So we're having those discussions now. Don't just place with Grandma and say we've done it—which reminds us of the Naomi case. Don't place with Grandma and say we've done it, we placed with kinship. Now, how are you going to support that grandma? How are you going to support making sure those kids are connected to their mom? Because now they're far away from their mom, and not in communication. SoI do have hope we're moving in that direction. Again, I don't know how quickly we'll get there. But I think people are having those hard discussions about, “Why do we provide all of this financial support to foster parents, but we don't have that same energy toward a grandma or an older sibling or an aunt or uncle that have said, ‘I want the child to stay with us. They're our family.'" EVERYDAY ADVOCATES – 53:46 BLAIR HODGES: Is there anything actionable you would suggest everyday listeners do—like listeners to this show that might not have direct ties, a lot of them might not have any kind of direct involvement in the CPS system. Is there something that everyday folks can do to help push things in the direction you're advocating for? JESSICA PRYCE: Absolutely. I'm so grateful I was able to include some resources in the book for folks, particularly around reporting abuse. I tell people all the time, there's a resource in the book that says consider these things before you report abuse. For everyday listeners, as you said, if you have thoughts about a neighbor, or you're concerned about folks in your life—is this abuse? Should I call this in? I do offer some things that hopefully make you pause and consider certain aspects of the family before you make that call. Some people when they go through these considerations, they no longer want to make the report, right? But some people still do. Now they have a lot more information to provide to the system because they've actually thought through what's actually going on. I am grateful I was able to include that resource for folks that might be wondering about a family, might be wondering how they might be able to support. I want people to understand what happens when you report a family, what they experience when a CPS agent comes to their home, and with that sort of knowledge I hope that it makes reporters pause. REGRETS, CHALLENGES, & SURPRISES – 55:08 BLAIR HODGES: The resources you offer have some ideas for mandated reporters, and also for people who might be considering talking to CPS, and you're inviting them to think about how well you know the circumstances in that family's life. If you've considered connecting them with community or social supports that can help them out, if there's a trusted colleague or community advocate you can connect with to brainstorm about what to do. There are things people can do if they're wondering what to do in situations where they're wondering about children. The book, again, it's called Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services, really gives some good ideas and good tools that people can consider when they're trying to help out kids. Because at the bottom of it, I really believe that pretty much everybody truly does want to protect kids, and even the people who are overseeing the system and making policies that are actually damaging families, I don't see any evil people that are like, "Let's destroy lives." [laughs] JESSICA PRYCE: Yep. BLAIR HODGES: They're thinking in individualistic terms and not addressing systemic issues. The more we can get people thinking in that way, the more likelihood we have of impacting the CPS system. Jessica, I just want to say, the book was so helpful for me. I learned so much about the system. It was also really personal. I felt connected with you. So I hope people will check this book out, because together we can start to make inroads in the system. Again, that's Jessica Pryce, research professor at Florida State University in the College of Social Work there. Alright, that brings us to our final segment of the show. This is called Regrets, Challenges, & Surprises. Jessica, this is your chance to choose your own adventure. You can speak to one, two, or all three of these things. If there's anything you'd change about the book now. This book's just now coming out, so this is one of the freshest books on the show. Maybe you haven't had time to think about what you would do different at this time. But you can also speak to challenges, what the hardest part about writing it was, or the surprises, how you changed in the course of making the book. JESSICA PRYCE: I really appreciate the question. I'll start by saying the most challenging part by far was feeling that I've done justice to the stories that were shared with me. And also, connecting with former colleagues and really re-living what I did in the system. I did this exercise around narrative journaling, just writing out cases I've been on and how they impacted me and what I remembered about them, and how I thought in that moment, and how I think today. I think that was challenging in general to take that journey back. Another challenge is making sure I've done justice to the best of my ability to the stories that were shared with me. As far as surprises, I think for me, a big goal of mine was for people to see my development. I could have written this book from the seat I'm in now, and we've only talked for an hour but there's a lot of things I could have said about data and science and organizational change and culture. Because that's where I'm at now. I understand these things. But it was important for me that people saw my developmental trajectory because I hope it shows them they can also change. That if they think a certain way, if they see parents a certain way, if they have a certain opinion about certain communities, that you can get on the other side of that if you continue to educate yourself and you take a journey with colleagues who actually want to take this introspective journey. That you can also get on the other side of this work, do this work ethically, and do this work with compassion, and advocate and become an activist toward social justice and racial justice. So again, I think that's been the most surprising and the most edifying, that I was able to really show my development, and it surprised me how much I appreciated being able to share that. It's not easy to share how you used to think about families. But I think in sharing that it might show someone else they too can change. BLAIR HODGES: I certainly hope so. That's part of why I do this show myself, because I'm on a journey about all my thinking about families, what they are, about how we treat families, and your book is a really important part of that story. Again, it's called Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services by Jessica Pryce. And again, Dr. Pryce, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for writing this book, and thanks for taking the time to talk to us about it. JESSICA PRYCE: Thank you so much for having me. BLAIR HODGES: Thanks for listening to this episode of Family Proclamations. I invite you to listen to other episodes if you haven't had the time to do that yet. Special thanks to Camille Messick, my wonderful transcript editor, and to David Ostler, who sponsored the first group of transcripts. If you'd like to sponsor transcripts, please let me know. Reach out to blair@firesidepod.org. You can also send feedback about any episode you want. There's a lot more to come on the show. If you're enjoying it, please take a minute to rate and review. It makes a really big difference. It truly does. Go to Apple Podcasts and let me know your thoughts—like Ryan G. Mullen, for example. He went to Apple Podcasts and gave me five stars. He said, "Wow, I just listened to the episode with Cat Bohannon, author of Eve. I initially thought, this will be good to listen to so I won't have to read the book. But Hodges and Bohannon gave such a lively interview that I changed my mind." I'm sorry about that, Ryan. This podcast can be hazardous to your book buying budget, that's for sure. Thanks for leaving that review. Also, another thing that would help is recommendations. Let people know you listen to this show. This is the number one way people hear about podcasts. Reach out to a friend or family member and let them know about the show. Thanks to Mates of State, a great band, for providing our theme song. Family Proclamations is part of the Dialogue Podcast Network. I'm Blair Hodges, and I'll see you next time.   [End]   Transcripts are edited for readability. 

Host: Jesse Baalman Guest:  Michelle Jones

My guest's family invented tater tots. And they are monetizing this legacy for the benefit of child abuse awareness.The F Nephi & Golden Grigg Legay Foundation's goal is to ensure that tater tots are remembered for  “Protect Your Tots!”™  campaign and helping veterans. They want to ensure the 'holey board" is remembered for its iconic role in the snack food industry. You can become a member of THE NATIONAL TATER TOT FAN CLUB, “Protect Your Tots!” https://griggtatertot.com/http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

Afternoon students from the Tempe Union High School District Innovation Center discuss Peer Solutions' April theme, child abuse prevention.

Our conversation today featured Kristen Gregg and Aliyha Gill from Phoenix Project to give details about several upcoming events. April is both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Kristen and Aaliyah talk about the importance of volunteers and upcoming events such as their Mother's Day gift basket raffle and their 10th-anniversary celebration. Aaliyah explains her role as a sexual assault advocate and the services provided by Phoenix Project. The pair also touch on educational initiatives, events, and campaigns related to sexual violence awareness, healthy relationships, and consent. To learn more about Phoenix Project and access their services, visit their website: https://phoenix-project.org/ 

Join us on this week's Autism Weekly podcast where our host, Jeff Skibitsky, engages in a meaningful conversation with Dr. Nicole Young, Clinical psychology director for California at ABS Kids. This episode takes a deep dive into the significance of April, highlighting its importance as both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Autism Acceptance Month. Dr. Young shares her insights on what autism acceptance truly means and how it shapes the way we approach and empower individuals with autism. The discussion also addresses the delicate topic of child abuse and its relevance to the autism community. This episode is particularly crucial during Child Abuse Prevention Month, underscored by an alarming incident reported by CBS News, where a Littleton bus aide was fired after being accused of mistreating students with autism, spotlighting the ongoing challenges faced by children with autism and the need for vigilant protection and advocacy. Subscribe to explore these critical themes with us and learn more about fostering inclusion and safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals with autism. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/littleton-bus-aide-fired-students-autism-tortured-traumatized/ Download episode to learn more! ................................................................ Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, google podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.      

In this episode of the Defender Podcast, hosts Herbie Newell and Rick Morton engage in a discussion on Child Abuse Prevention with guest Julie Lowe, a highly experienced author, speaker, and counselor. With over two decades of expertise in counseling and advocacy for vulnerable children, Julie offers invaluable insights into the nuanced understanding of child abuse, highlighting lesser-known forms that often evade detection. As April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month, the conversation pivots to the significance of awareness and proactive measures, with Julie outlining specific actions individuals and communities can take to combat this pressing issue. Drawing from her dual roles as a counselor and foster and adoptive parent, Julie delves into recognizing signs and indicators of child abuse and provides practical guidance on addressing concerns effectively. GUESTJulie Lowe is an author, speaker, and counselor. She holds an MA in counseling from Biblical Theological Seminary, is a licensed professional counselor with over twenty-five years of counseling experience, and is a registered play therapist supervisor. Julie served as a faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) for over 20 years and has lectured and taught at Missio Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary.Julie and her husband, Greg, live in the Philadelphia, PA area and have five children. They have served for over 20 years as foster and adoptive parents.HOSTHerbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children's Services and its ministry arms.CO-HOSTDr. Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.RESOURCEPromo: Families Count At Lifeline, we want to empower families with education, resources, and support. Parents who are struggling to keep their family together are vulnerable to making decisions that affect their children negatively. Many parents also don't know how to parent in a healthy way. That's why we partner with local churches for Families Count. Families Count is a family restoration and preservation ministry that partners with the local church to provide parenting courses for vulnerable families in the foster care system or who are at risk of entering it. By helping parents develop a more healthy family, we help prevent child neglect and abuse. You can help make families stay together in a healthy way when you partner with us. Visit LifelineChild.org/Donate to learn more about becoming a monthly donor or see our show notes for more details.LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICESThe mission of Lifeline Children's Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. FOLLOW USFacebook, Instagram, TwitterThe Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | SpotifyThe Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify

Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights in the United States, and federal laws have been enacted to combat it including: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. It defines trafficking in persons and establishes various means to combat it, including prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.Federal Laws: There are several federal statutes specifically targeting human trafficking:18 U.S. Code § 1581-1595 (Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons): This section of the U.S. Code addresses various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. It outlines criminal penalties for offenders.18 U.S. Code § 2421-2429 (Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes): These statutes criminalize transportation for illicit sexual activity, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities.18 U.S. Code § 1951 (Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence): This law, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, prohibits robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. It can be applied in cases where trafficking involves coercion or extortion.Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA): Passed in 2000 as part of the TVPA, the VTVPA enhances protections and assistance for victims of trafficking. It establishes the "T Visa" for victims of severe forms of trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to stay and work temporarily in the United States.Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): CAPTA, initially enacted in 1974 and reauthorized several times, requires states to have laws and policies in place to address child abuse and neglect. This includes provisions specific to child victims of trafficking.International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA): Enacted in 2005, IMBRA regulates international marriage brokers and requires them to conduct background checks on U.S. clients and disclose certain information to foreign national clients.Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA): Passed in 2015, JVTA strengthens existing anti-trafficking laws and enhances support for victims. It expands law enforcement tools, increases victim restitution, and provides additional resources for prevention and victim services.Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE): ICE plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly those involving international borders. It works in collaboration with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.These laws collectively provide a framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of human trafficking in the United States. They aim to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes. Additionally, various states have enacted their own laws addressing human trafficking, complementing federal efforts.Using these laws and cases like the R. Kelly case as precedent, the prosecutors have a roadmap on how to get to the finish line when it comes to these kinds of RICO/Human Trafficking cases.   The question is, do they have the evidence? (commercial at 11:00) to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Sean 'Diddy' Combs and what it takes to build a sex-trafficking case - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

Dr. Sharen Ford is Director of Foster Care and Adoption with Focus on the Family and speaks expertly into this important topic of protecting our children. Statistics state 1 in 4 children are subjected to some sort of abuse. Dr. Ford also shared that most children are not removed from homes due to abuse. They are removed due to neglect. Both are unacceptable. Children are the future and how we care for them impacts our world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights in the United States, and federal laws have been enacted to combat it including: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. It defines trafficking in persons and establishes various means to combat it, including prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.Federal Laws: There are several federal statutes specifically targeting human trafficking:18 U.S. Code § 1581-1595 (Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons): This section of the U.S. Code addresses various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. It outlines criminal penalties for offenders.18 U.S. Code § 2421-2429 (Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes): These statutes criminalize transportation for illicit sexual activity, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities.18 U.S. Code § 1951 (Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence): This law, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, prohibits robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. It can be applied in cases where trafficking involves coercion or extortion.Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA): Passed in 2000 as part of the TVPA, the VTVPA enhances protections and assistance for victims of trafficking. It establishes the "T Visa" for victims of severe forms of trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to stay and work temporarily in the United States.Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): CAPTA, initially enacted in 1974 and reauthorized several times, requires states to have laws and policies in place to address child abuse and neglect. This includes provisions specific to child victims of trafficking.International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA): Enacted in 2005, IMBRA regulates international marriage brokers and requires them to conduct background checks on U.S. clients and disclose certain information to foreign national clients.Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA): Passed in 2015, JVTA strengthens existing anti-trafficking laws and enhances support for victims. It expands law enforcement tools, increases victim restitution, and provides additional resources for prevention and victim services.Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE): ICE plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly those involving international borders. It works in collaboration with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.These laws collectively provide a framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of human trafficking in the United States. They aim to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes. Additionally, various states have enacted their own laws addressing human trafficking, complementing federal efforts.Using these laws and cases like the R. Kelly case as precedent, the prosecutors have a roadmap on how to get to the finish line when it comes to these kinds of RICO/Human Trafficking cases.   The question is, do they have the evidence? (commercial at 11:00) to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Sean 'Diddy' Combs and what it takes to build a sex-trafficking case - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights in the United States, and federal laws have been enacted to combat it including: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Enacted in 2000 and subsequently reauthorized, the TVPA is the cornerstone of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. It defines trafficking in persons and establishes various means to combat it, including prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.Federal Laws: There are several federal statutes specifically targeting human trafficking:18 U.S. Code § 1581-1595 (Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons): This section of the U.S. Code addresses various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. It outlines criminal penalties for offenders.18 U.S. Code § 2421-2429 (Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity and Related Crimes): These statutes criminalize transportation for illicit sexual activity, including transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities.18 U.S. Code § 1951 (Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence): This law, commonly known as the Hobbs Act, prohibits robbery and extortion that affects interstate commerce. It can be applied in cases where trafficking involves coercion or extortion.Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA): Passed in 2000 as part of the TVPA, the VTVPA enhances protections and assistance for victims of trafficking. It establishes the "T Visa" for victims of severe forms of trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to stay and work temporarily in the United States.Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): CAPTA, initially enacted in 1974 and reauthorized several times, requires states to have laws and policies in place to address child abuse and neglect. This includes provisions specific to child victims of trafficking.International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA): Enacted in 2005, IMBRA regulates international marriage brokers and requires them to conduct background checks on U.S. clients and disclose certain information to foreign national clients.Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA): Passed in 2015, JVTA strengthens existing anti-trafficking laws and enhances support for victims. It expands law enforcement tools, increases victim restitution, and provides additional resources for prevention and victim services.Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE): ICE plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly those involving international borders. It works in collaboration with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.These laws collectively provide a framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of human trafficking in the United States. They aim to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes. Additionally, various states have enacted their own laws addressing human trafficking, complementing federal efforts.Using these laws and cases like the R. Kelly case as precedent, the prosecutors have a roadmap on how to get to the finish line when it comes to these kinds of RICO/Human Trafficking cases.   The question is, do they have the evidence? (commercial at 11:00) to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Sean 'Diddy' Combs and what it takes to build a sex-trafficking case - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

One in four girls and one in 13 boys in the U.S. experiences sexual assault or violence. It happens everywhere, including here. Sophie Sielen, a victim advocate for Door County with the Sexual Assault Center for Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, ought to know. She deals with the reality of these statistics every day. Here, she talks with Debra Fitzgerald about her organization's support, prevention and education efforts – and how people can help during this month of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness, and Child Abuse Prevention month. So in this Episode Cody with the help from Jessica from Eau Claire Victim Witness will look into what the process of reporting is, for a victim of one of these crimes.Cody will also share some events planed for April in honor of sexual assault awareness, and child abuse prevention.If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence and or sexual assault, we encourage you to call our 24/7 confidential hotline at 715-834-9578 or email us at director@boltonrefuge.org Support the show

In this episode, I interview Carolyn and Phil about their decades of research on couples and the changes they experience after the birth of the first child. They discussed how Carolyn had been an elementary school teacher and was pregnant with their second child when they moved to Berkeley where Phil was starting his new job at the University of California, Berkeley. They discussed how their own life experiences led them to be interested in the effect of having children on the couple's relationship, and created a study where couples joined a group during their third trimester of a first pregnancy, and worked together until their child was four months old. In comparison to the control group, who were not offered the couples group intervention, the couples in the groups maintained their relationship satisfaction, while the couples in the control couples with no intervention experienced a significant decrease in satisfaction, which was also reflected in studies by others that followed. The Cowans then worked with another group of couples from when their first child was making the transition to school, and followed them until the children entered high school at 14-15 years old. They discussed the exercises they used during these inventions, and how it was so significant for these couples to talk with their partners in a safe setting about the key issues in their lives and to hear others' experiences and discover that they were not alone during these difficult times. The first two studies were with nonclinical couples in the community. Later, they received a grant to work with low-income couples who had few resources for support, which was designed to increase fathers' engagement with the mothers and their children. Once again, they found positive results in terms of the quality of the couples' relationships as partners and parents, of parenting that was less harsh, of the children having fewer troubling behaviors, and in many cases, increases in income. Phil and Carolyn explained that the majority of current grant funding is siloed, with separate funding for children, for mothers, and for fathers, and and almost no programs taking a family systems view. They feel that the lack of a systemic perspective misses opportunities to take a broader perspective on family development and to work with parents, non parental caregivers, children, and fathers, which can lead to improved outcomes for parents and children, and be more efficient and cost effective. They referenced a study they are overseeing now that has also included employment support, since this is so integral in family functioning for low-income families. Their intervention work has been replicated in the U.K., Germany, Malta, and most recently in Israel. Philip A. Cowan, Ph.D. and Carolyn Pape Cowan, Ph.D. are clinical psychologists and professors Emeriti at University of California, Berkeley who have conducted three significant longitudinal research studies on couples relationships after the birth of the first child. They have received grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the California Office of Child Abuse Prevention. Their three projects, the Becoming a Family Project, the Schoolchildren and Families Project, and the Supporting Father Involvement Project, which is an ongoing collaboration with Marsha Kline Pruett, Ph.D., M.S.L. ABPP at Smith College and Yale University, have studied the effects of interventions on the couples relationship, father involvement, child wellbeing and a number of other factors. Their group model for couples is being conducted throughout California, in Connecticut, Alberta Canada, England, and Malta. Carolyn and Phil Cowan received the the Distinguished Contribution to Family Systems Research award from the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) and the Best Research Article award, along with Marsha and Kyle Pruett, Ph.D., M.S.L. ABPP and Jessie Wong, Ph.D., from the Men in Families Focus Group of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). They are the authors of When Partners Become Parents: The Big Life Change for Couples, and there are “training the trainer” trainings in their Supporting Father Involvement program through Brazelton Touchpoints Center, which is part of the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

To truly address child physical abuse, we have to understand the scope of the problem and how the use of corporal punishment can escalate to the point in which children are harmed. What Dr. Amy Slep and her team did was to set up their research in such a way that it was truly anonymous, and parents could feel very safe to be completely honest about their use of corporal punishment and even their own self-identified physical abuse of their own children. As you will hear, parents admit—and to a shocking degree—physically disciplining infants, an unsafe practice that warrants help and support immediately. They admit a range of behaviors far beyond the spanking with an open hand that some of us might remember from childhood. And a heartbreaking number admit to physically disciplining—to the point of physical abuse—their own children, whether because of corporal punishment taken too far or out of frustration or anger. Topics in this episode:Origin story (02:49)What are corporal punishment and physical abuse? (05:31)How the study encouraged honesty (11:28)Studying military families (15:51)Family size and physical abuse (21:39)Physically disciplining infants (24:18)Public policy implications (31:57)What's next in research? (35:34)For more information (39:53) Links:Amy M. Smith Slep, Ph.D., professor, Family Translational Research Group, New York UniversityDSM – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersICD – International Classification of Diseases“Glimpsing the Iceberg: Parent-Child Physical Aggression and Abuse,” Amy M. Smith Slep, Kimberly A. Rhoades, Michael F. Lorber, Richard E. Heyman (2022). Child Maltreatment, 0(0). DOI: 10.1177/10775595221112921Child Maltreatment report series from the Administration for Children and Families has the most recent official statisticsNational Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence, Juvenile Victimization QuestionnaireFamily Advocacy Program“Know the Signs: Physical Abuse,” Alaska Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's ServicesFor more information about National Children's Alliance and the work of Children's Advocacy Centers, visit our website at NationalChildrensAlliance.org. Or visit our podcast website at OneInTenPodcast.org. And join us on Facebook at One in Ten podcast.Support the showDid you like this episode? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode we dive into a heavy topic as we talk about sexual abuse within the family. Join Hilary and Jen as Lee tells about finding out about her husbands abuse of a young child in their family. She walks us through the shock, sadness, guilt as well as the strengths and hope that pulled her through. Lee is amazing and we are endlessly grateful for her sharing her story with us. Trigger Warning: Child sexual abuse, child abuse. Episode Notes and Resources: 1. coping_with_intrafamilial_sexual_abuse_parents.pdf (nctsn.org) 2. See similar episodes for help with body autonomy. Episode 133. Guest Chris Yadon Episode 1. Child Abuse Prevention with Hilary. 3. https://www.capsa.org/ Contact: Record questions here: https://anchor.fm/theparentsplace Email us: parents@thefamilyplaceutah.org Text "TFP" to 33222 for weekly parenting tips Find us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/jendalyTFP The Parent's Place: https://www.facebook.com/groups/196037267839869 Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theparentsplace/message

On this week's episode we discuss action on Capitol Hill around the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, a Congressional investigation that so far includes only one state's child welfare system, and how programs are reviewed for the Family First Act.Natalece Washington, policy counsel for the National Association of Counsel for Children, to talk about her organization's campaign to get all 50 states to guarantee legal counsel to all children in foster care.Reading RoomThe Impact of Family Support on Child Safety: Right-Sizing CAPTA Funding to Better Protect Childrenhttps://www.childrensrights.org/our-advocacy#watchSenate Considers Legal Counsel Requirements in CAPTA Reauthorization Billhttps://rb.gy/qhmpySenate Judiciary Subcommittee to Investigate Georgia Child Welfarehttps://rb.gy/nmee1The Human Rights of Foster Childrenhttps://rb.gy/v4osgFoster Children in the Courtshttps://rb.gy/twqojTitle IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Draft Version 2.0https://tinyurl.com/y634dkenMore than a Dozen States Fail to Guarantee Lawyers for Children in CPS Cases, New Report Findshttps://rb.gy/g9gkhNACC Counsel for Kids Campaign Websitehttps://counselforkids.orgSeen, Heard, and Representedhttps://tinyurl.com/bdvamubcTrump Administration Rule Change Could Unleash Hundreds of Millions in Federal Funds to Defend Rights of Parents, Children in Child Protection Caseshttps://shorturl.at/rxDIT

In this episode, Anika has an inspiring conversation with Elijah Lee, who is an amazing 15-year-old boy who has been leading marches and holding events to educate people about child abuse and how to prevent it. They discuss community, child abuse, inspiration behind fighting for this cause, and much more. Below is a resource: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/index.html Stay tuned for new episodes every week! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anika674/message

How did the family policing system become what it is today?  We'll take a look at some of the key policies and ideas from the early 1900s through 1970s that are still in place today including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and other white supremacist ideas that emerged at the time. About Our Guests:  Angela Olivia Burton was recently Special Counsel for Interdisciplinary Matters in the New York State Office of Court Administration's Office for Justice Initiatives. Prior to this position, she served for 10 years as New York's first Director for Quality Enhancement, Parent Representation, at the NYS Office of Indigent Legal Services. Angela has taught courses in lawyering practice, constitutional family law, and children's rights with a focus on the family policing system.  Richard Wexler is Executive Director of NCCPR. His interest in child welfare grew out of 19 years of work as a reporter for newspapers, public radio and public television. During that time, he won more than two dozen awards, many of them for stories about child abuse and foster care. He is the author of Wounded Innocents: The Real Victims of the War Against Child Abuse.  Mical Raz MD PhD is the Charles E. and Dale L. Phelps Professor in Public Policy and Health at the University of Rochester and a practicing adult hospitalist at Strong Memorial Hospital. A scholar of the history of child welfare policy, she is the author of three books, most recently Abusive Policies: How the American Child Welfare System Lost its Way.  Episode Notes:  Richard Wexler references an article in Boston Magazine called “The Really High Housewives of MetroWest Boston.” Richard Wexler mentions Kelly Fong's book, “Investigating Families: Motherhood in the Shadow of Child Protective Services” which is releasing in October 2023.  Richard Wexler cites a paper by Anna Arons called “An Unintended Abolition: Family Regulation During the COVID-19 Crisis.” Episode Transcript: upendmovement.org/episode1-3 Continue learning by taking our self-guided couse, “Introduction to Family Policing Abolition” which is a companion to The upEND Podcast: upendmovment.org/syllabus Support the work of upEND: upendmovement.org/donate

The following podcast episode contains discussions about child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.When Kristi McVee became a police officer in Australia, she quickly realized how prevalent child sexual abuse was, leading her to want to teach both parents and children about cyber safety and how to protect children. Her organization, Child Abuse Prevention and Education Australia (CAPE-AU) seeks to provide an education for parents and caregivers around child sexual abuse protection and prevention. In this episode, Kristi discusses the prevalence of child abuse in the rapidly developing digital age, the impact of pornography on children, and stresses the importance of frequent conversations about digital safety between parents and children.Article: Parents—If You Don't Teach Your Kids About Sex, Porn Sites WillPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 87: Lisa FrostConversation Blueprint: Let's Talk About PornVisit: Child Abuse Prevention and Education Australia (CAPE-AU)Kristi's Book: Operation KidSafe:A Detectives Guide To Abuse Prevention

C. Alexandria-Bernard Thomas is a Queer Black Non-Binary, award-winning poet, teaching artist, an advocate for Child Abuse Prevention, the LGBTQIA community, and Mental Health Awareness.  Their work as a community organizer has afforded them opportunities to educate adults on how to respond and react to Child Sexual Abuse through Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children® and becoming a board member for Touch Me I'm Tellin (TMIT). In addition, they have received honorable mentions from World Childhood Foundation USA, Buddy Speaks, End the Harvest Ministries, publications by The Zebra, and more.  They are a true force of nature and a necessary voice for uplifting the community and inspiring hope. Witnessing them perform, teaching in the classroom, or speaking is experiencing love in action.  Check out what they're doing and find their book, Reclamation, at www.iamcthomas.net Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boldlycthomas

Nationally, about 12% of children live with a parent who abuses alcohol or other drugs, and about 80% of parents in the child welfare system have substance use disorder. Margaret Lloyd Sieger is an Assistant Professor in the UConn School of Social Work who teaches courses in substance use disorder, research, program evaluation, and social policy. Her professional and practice background includes clinical work with children and adolescents affected by parental addiction at the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and as a civil litigation paralegal. She now studies mothers and infants with prenatal substance exposure, child protection policies and systems, and family treatment courts. Professor Lloyd Sieger is leading Connecticut's evaluation of the implementation of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, known as CAPTA, which requires states to collect notifications when infants are born and found to have been exposed to certain drugs in utero.  In this episode, she talks about Connecticut's national-model data gathering system on substance abuse disorder, how to help make social workers' lives easier, and what it's like to be part of drafting a new law.  On this month's visit to Tom's History Corner, we talk about some big anniversaries for UConn, involving intra-university lawsuits, an especially momentous day in the life of Charles Lewis Beach, and the last class in University history who could truthfully say they earned their sheepskins. 

Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive subjects, including abuse and child sexual exploitation. Please exercise discretion while listening.Episode Description: This episode will give caregivers a new understanding of what youth in care who've experienced abuse and/or commercial sexual exploitation go through and how to support them. Guests on the show:Brandy: Former foster youth, survivor of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in foster care, member of the Youth Advisory Board at the Reproductive Health Equity Project Nola Brantley: Survivor of sexual abuse and sex trafficking, mother, MISSSEY's Executive Director from the organization's inception until 2014, founder of Nola Brantley Speaks, advocate for survivors of CSECResources:HOW TO TALK TO YOUTH ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: A Guide for Youth Caretakers and Individuals Working with YouthTrauma-informed conversation guideCalls To Action: (45:30)Talk to youth in care about CSEC early on (45:30)Join youth where they're at (45:45)Help youth in care receive the resources they need (46:17)About Fostering Parenthood: Fostering Parenthood is a podcast by caregivers for caregivers promoting the healthy sexual development of foster youth, brought to you by the National Center for Youth Law and the Reproductive Health Equity Project. The laws and policies discussed in our show are specific to LA County and California. However, any out-of-state or international listeners should check the regulations specific to their state or country. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/fosteringparenthood-watch! Learn more about Fostering Parenthood at www.fosteringparenthood.buzzsprout.com. Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org. Fostering Parenthood is fully supported by grant number 1 TP2AH000066-01-00 from the HHS Office of Population Affairs. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Population Affairs.

April 2023 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month where communities across the US rally together under the symbol of the Pinwheel- which represents the joy and happiness every child deserves. Unfortunately, we know not every child grows up this way. Child Abuse Prevention is our ultimate goal, but it can only be reached with increased education and awareness spreading across one community at a time. Brooke, Lyndsey, and Grace share what you need to know about the happenings in our community  this month as well as some education on ways you can be an advocate against child abuse every day. Questions about the episode?Contact community@dorchestercac.orgWant to learn more about DCAC?Visit dorchesterchildren.org

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention links adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse, as one of the main reasons for long-term health impacts in America. In Tennessee, the most recent data shows there were nearly 70,000 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in 2020. Nurture the Next President and CEO Kristen Davis, sits down with podcast host, Jonquil Newland, to discuss how we all play a role in preventing child abuse and what resources are available for parents who need help. Aside from her role as the president and CEO of Nurture the next, Davis serves as a member of the Joint Task Force on Children's Justice/Child Sexual Abuse.  

Host Leo Marshall talks with Heather Adams, Patrick Reagan and Pam Martinez from the Mahoney House.   The recap the Spud fundraiser, book club, and also talk about April being Child Abuse Prevention month and Sexual Awareness month.  

What is the child safety? How can parents keep their children safe from abuse and sextortion? What are cues that one's child may be being used? Rahel Bayar, Founder and CEO of the Bayar Group and Former Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Prosecutor, answers all of these questions, and much more in this second episode of the child safety month. Rahel Bayar is a sought after keynote speaker, trainer, workshop facilitator and consultant. Rahel is trusted by companies, K-12 schools, camps and organizations across the country to deliver inspiring abuse and harassment prevention training, and inspire those she meets to work collaboratively to create safe spaces. She uses her expertise as a former sex crimes and child abuse prosecutor, and a former managing director of the sexual misconduct consulting and investigations division of a global investigative company to effectively help each organization work to create a safe space for all. We are talking about child safety and a very sensitive topic of child abuse. You will learn how to talk to your child about the potential abuse, how to react properly if the abuse happens, and how to teach a child to recognize “tricky behaviors” and talk to you without shame or fear. [00:00] Are our kids really safe in their safe places? [03:27] Rahel Bayar's workshops on child abuse [06:40] How to create an atmosphere of trust for a child to talk [16:15] The main goal when talking to children about abuse [18:20] What is sextortion and how to prevent it? [22:45] How to react if your child is harassed or abused? [27:13] What are the red flags of abuse? [30:50] How to teach a child about tricky behaviors? [37:39] Differentiating secrets [39:28] Sexual abuse in the Jewish community [43:00] Holidays are times to be cautious [48:00] The conversation has to be ongoing *** This episode has been sponsored by jKaraoke, a great way to have good kosher family fun singing all of your favorite Jewish songs with karaoke. You can subscribe monthly from just $4.99 or yearly from $49.99, and in honour of their US launch, jKaraoke are now offering their best deal yet! Grab a yearly subscription plus a Karaoke Kit for just $99.99 plus use coupon JewsNextDor for an additional 10% off!! Check out jKaraoke.com today and let the fun begin! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/yair-menchel/message

Welcome to Episode 12!  Today we have Peggy McGuire, who has a huge title and even bigger (i.e. more important) job!  She is the Director of Child and Family Development with Strong Families at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.  Peggy joins our hosts Tracey Edwards and Kristie Lindau for a candid and informative discussion about child abuse prevention.  She gives us some great insight on child abuse warning signs and other important discussion points related to this topic.  We hope you get as much out of this episode as we did.  *To watch the video version of this episode, please click here:https://youtu.be/3842TSZDjZ4Thanks for listening! See you next time!

UNF has a new poll on the Jacksonville mayor's race; ChatGPT is upending most professions; April is Child Abuse Prevention Month; Tour with a Twist celebrates Earth Day.

Join NAASW and Haymarket for a panel discussion that will explain the harms of CAPTA and discuss what can be done about it. The so-called Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), does not prevent and it does not treat. Instead, it targets our most vulnerable neighbors, particularly those living in poverty and especially Black, Latinx, and Indigenous families. Through policies like mandated reporting, social workers, medical professionals, and other community helpers are made agents of the surveillance state and part of the machinery of family policing, regulation, separation, and destruction. Join NAASW and Haymarket for a panel discussion that will explain the harms of CAPTA and discuss what can be done about it. Panelists: Joyce McMillan is a thought leader, advocate, activist, community organizer, and educator. Her mission is to remove systemic barriers in communities of color by bringing awareness to the racial disparities in systems where people of color are disproportionately affected. David P. Kelly, JD, MA, is Co-Director of the Family Justice Group. For over a decade he served in the United States Children's Bureau, holding positions as Special Assistant to the Associate Commissioner, Senior Policy Advisor on Courts and Justice and overseeing the Children's Bureau's work with the legal and judicial community. Prior to joining the federal government, David was an Assistant Staff Director at the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law and served as Senior Assistant Child Advocate at the New Jersey Office of the Child Advocate. Matt Holm, MD, community pediatrician, Melrose, Bronx, NY Miriam Mack is Policy Director of The Bronx Defenders' Family Defense Practice. She received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. Prior to joining The Bronx Defenders, Miriam was a legal fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, focusing on issues of racial and reproductive justice. Richard Wexler, executive director National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, author, Wounded Innocents: The Real Victims of the War Against Child Abuse (Prometheus Books: 1990, 1995). Jey Rajaraman joined Family Integrity & Justice Works in January 2022. Prior to that, she served as Chief Council and a supervising attorney of Legal Services of New Jersey's Family Representation Project (FRP). FRP provides parents in child abuse or neglect and termination of parental rights litigation with information, advice and representation. Additionally, the FRP provides advice and representation to youth in DCPP's care, both those who have become parent defendants themselves and those who are seeking aging-out services from the Division. Jey is a member of the ABA Parent Counsel Steering Committee. Jey is also an adjunct professor at Seton Hall Law School. Angela Olivia Burton is a public service lawyer with an emphasis on supporting the leadership of people with lived experience in the family policing and juvenile criminal punishment systems. Her recent publications include Toward Community Control of Child Welfare Funding: Repeal the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and Delink Child Protection from Family Wellbeing, with Angeline Montauban and Liberate the Black Family from Family Policing: A Reparations Perspective, with Joyce McMillan. This event is sponsored by the Network to Advance Abolitionist Social Work and Haymarket Books. Watch the live event recording: https://youtube.com/live/29MnYIDextQ Buy books from Haymarket: www.haymarketbooks.org Follow us on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/haymarketbooks

This week on the You, The Mother Podcast, Abbey welcomes Dr. Missy Gryder. Dr. Missy is the Founder of the Body Safety Box and the Founder of Meeting Kids Needs! Dr. Missy talks about child abuse prevention and how we can make sensitive conversations with our children easier. She gives tools and isight into age-appropriate approaches to keeping our children safe. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Dr. Missy give such valuable tools to create that safety in your home and school! Want to learn more about preventing child abuse in your home and community? Let's talk about it! ——————————————— You can find Dr. Missy Gryder: Instagram: @bodysafetybox and @meetingkidsneeds Website: bodysafetybox.com Dr. Missy is giving 2 Body Safety Boxes to You, The Mother Podcast listeners. Just head over to bodysafetybox.com and download the Free Guide to enter. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by email. Helping Children Recognize and Manage Stress: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mimosas-with-moms/id1449622243?i=1000584478002 ——————————————— Instagram @youthemother www.youthemother.com Now Offering 1-on-1 and Group Coaching! Don't forget to grab your FREE guide to sharing the load on the website! The Estrangement Project is going to Costa Rica!! Join us: https://www.trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-maggie--&-abbey--nov-2023

Tune in to learn how Brightside Up highlights National Child Abuse Prevention Month through the Protecting Childhood campaign. We also share details on the 2023 Summer Camp Catalog, Week of the Young Child, Upcoming Training, and more!Protecting Childhood 2023 Summer Camp CatalogUpcoming TrainingWeek of the Young ChildSocial Story: A Trip to the Pediatrician--Home & Classroom is an interview-style podcast featuring child development experts and Shorties! is a news-style podcast on what's happening at Brightside Up.

To recognize Child Abuse Prevention month we hear from Greg Bellville and Abby Patterson from Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. They share the importance of shifting the focus towards proactive and preventative measures to protect children, such as identifying and supporting families in need of assistance, instead of the reactive way the system is set up to report, observe, and remove children from their families. In addition, hear how Prevent Child Abuse Iowa supports families and how you can become a member of their Imperfect Parent Club!Prevent Child Abuse IowaImperfect Parent ClubAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

On episode #71 of Time Out with Tinseltown Mom, safety expert Rahel Bayar, a former sex crimes and child abuse prosecutor, discusses child abuse prevention and ways to arm our kids appropriately against predators. For more on Rahel Bayar visit www.thebayargroup.com *If you've received value from any of my podcasts I'd love for you to […] The post Ep. 71: Child Abuse Prevention – Safety Expert Rahel Bayar Offers Advice appeared first on Tinseltown Mom.