Podcasts about child welfare

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Are you a professional working with kinship caregivers? You need to listen to this interview with Dr. Tyreasa Washington, is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar specializing in kinship care families (e.g., grandparents raising grandchildren). She is a Distinguished Senior Scholar for Child Welfare at Child Trends, the leading research organization in the United States focused solely on improving the lives of children, youth, and families.In this episode, we discuss:Advantages of keeping children with extended family when their parents are not able to raise them.How do kids who are raised temporarily or permanently by relatives fare compared to kids placed with unknown foster parents?One of the biggest questions we receive from professionals is how to engage kinship caregivers. They tell us that they set up programs to support kinship caregivers, but few show up. This seems universal. Why does this happen?We also hear about institutional trauma-(law enforcement struggles/foster care system struggles- leads to lack of trust--not feeling safe in their community, not trusting DSS.) How does this impact kinship caregivers? How does it impact those of us trying to serve them?What types of support are the most helpful?What are some cultural differences you've observed in Black relatives raising children within the family, and how do these differences impact how professionals interact with kin raising children?What have you found in your research on the impact of caregiving on the health of kinship caregivers?Need for training for kinship caregivers.How can professionals support self-care with folks who are so busy just getting by?Support the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

A budget bill is moving through Congress that includes significant cuts to the Medicaid program, one the largest federal programs and the provider of health insurance for one in five people in America. And it has an outsized impact on the child welfare system, both in the prevention of families becoming involved with it and for children in foster care.Zach Laris, founder of Bolder Horizon and author of the Child Welfare Wonk blog, joins us to review the nexus of Medicaid and child welfare, and what the impact of cuts to the system might mean for system-involved children and families.  Thanks to SpeakWrite for sponsoring this episode!Reading RoomHouse Begins Markup of Reconciliation Bill Todayhttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/house-begins-markup-reconciliation-bill-today/261108Foster Care Prevention & Group Care Limits: The Family First Act Takes Effecthttps://imprintnews.org/podcast/foster-care-prevention-group-care-limits-family-first-act-takes-effectChild Welfare Wonkhttps://www.childwelfarewonk.com/

Connor examines involuntary commitment, substance abuse disorders, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding parenting and children's welfare. Should children be allowed to transition genders? When is the state justified in removing children from harmful environments? And what is the role of non-parental caregivers in a child's life?Join us for this thought-provoking episode that pushes the boundaries of our intuitions and ethical considerations around children's rights.[00:00] Introduction and Guest Introduction[00:18] Thought Experiments on Involuntary Commitment[05:11] Parenting and Authority[06:19] Sufficiency vs. Maximality in Child Upbringing[10:33] Children's Rights and Associational Rights[20:56] Cultural and Parental Interests[24:49] Gender Identity and Child Welfare[36:55] Defensive Kidnapping and Ethical Dilemmas[01:01:34] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCheck out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/

Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Special Rapporteur on Child Protection discusses recommendations arising from the inquest into the death of Daniel McAnaspie.

Send us a textLead Attorney, Joe Byrd interviews First Review Auditors, Alyssa Hudson and Kendall Leslie to discuss issues related to dependency & neglect, termination of parental rights, and non-capital criminal court claims. Additionally, Alyssa discusses supplier information issues. The discussion offers tips for attorneys arising from common problems auditors observe when processing claims.

    Slam the Gavel welcomes Bea Marnay to the podcast. She was last on Season 5, Episodes 114 and 193. Bea discussed reaching out to parents to help remedy the issue of the removal of children. However, that is to remove the funding to Child Welfare. This led to the  news article on January 28th, 2025, where The Imprint Youth & Family News came out with the article, "Child Welfare Leaders Stunned by Trump's Call to Freeze Social Services Spending; Legal Action Quickly Threatened."      "The funding is creating the BIG problem in Social Services, where they are  putting a dollar sign on our children, and they remove them for PROFIT. Not because they want to give the child a better a life, or not because of the "child's best interest," which is not happening in the courtrooms all across America, so the funding that was creating the removals for profit needed to be removed. This happened on January 28th, 2025. Apparently HHS employees were locked out of their offices. They are trying to bring in new staff." Stated Bea Marnay.     So much discussion in this podcast as Bea talked about a case where a child had gotten lost in the system and how CPS removed a newborn from a mother who had been in the foster care system. We also discussed how the traffickers are linked to HHS as RFK, Jr. stated.    To Reach Bea Marnay: ecett.org (end child exploitation think tank)***** Supportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)Maryann Petri: dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.comhttps://www.tiktok.com/@maryannpetriFacebook:  https://www.youtube.com/@slamthegavelpodcasthostmar5536Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guitarpeace/Pinterest: Slam The Gavel Podcast/@guitarpeaceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-petri-62a46b1ab/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@slamthegavelpodcasthostmar5536  Twitter https://x.com/PetriMaryannEzlegalsuit.comhttps://ko-fi.com/maryannpetri*DISCLAIMER* The use of this information is at the viewer/user's own risk. Not financial, medical nor legal advice as the content on this podcast does not constitute legal, financial, medical or any other professional advice. Viewer/user's should consult with the relevant professionals. Reproduction, distribution, performing, publicly displaying and making a derivative of the work is explicitly prohibited without permission from content creator. Podcast is protected by owner. The content creator maintains the exclusive right and any unauthorized copyright infringement is subject to legal prosecution. Support the showSupportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)http://www.dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.com/

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Annette, the mother of an 11-year-old girl about the difficult situation facing their family. It was a sudden change in Naledi’s behavior that first raised concern—she became withdrawn, stopped socializing, and spent most of her time in her room. Her mother then noticed physical changes, including a rounder stomach and the development of breasts, which led to the heartbreaking discovery that Naledi was pregnant. Now, as the pregnancy progresses, the family is seeking justice and fighting to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Find all the catch-up podcasts here: https://buff.ly/36edSLV Listen live - 702 Breakfast is broadcast weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time): https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://buff.ly/qb3TsVe 702 on TikTok: https://buff.ly/7grIrVs 702 on Instagram: https://buff.ly/uXZHVil 702 on X: https://buff.ly/5XRmScd 702 on YouTube: https://buff.ly/UL2kzls See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fitness influencer’s appearance in Dubai has gone viral after he brought his daughters on stage to show off their six-packs. But should kids ever be set appearance-driven physical goals – or is that a shortcut to body dysmorphia? Helen asks Florence Gillet of Beyond Body Image and PT Rory Brown. Plus, OT Adam Griffin and speech pathologist Tina Younes talk Speech, Language and Hearing Month, Anna Kaminski from NeuroKinds discusses new research on the impact of yelling at kids, and Charlie Bannan from Haus & Haus is on hand to answer your real estate questions...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing Family Law and Child Welfare in Schools: Expert Insights with Jill Goldson and Cheryl LaceyIn this episode of Mediator Musings, hosted by Joanne Law, two esteemed experts, Jill Goldson and Cheryl Lacey, discuss the crucial intersection of family law, children, and educational institutions.Jill Goldson, a director at FMC, researcher, author, and passionate advocate for keeping families out of court, joins with Cheryl Lacey, an education advisor and author, to delve into the impact family separations and disputes have on children and schools.They explore the roles educators play, the importance of maintaining boundaries, and ways to support children through challenging circumstances without involving schools unnecessarily. Key points include the effects of adversarial legal processes, the distinction between children and students, and the importance of appropriate training for educators to handle sensitive family issues respectfully and effectively.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions01:04 Why Discuss Family Law and Schools?01:34 The Intersection of Family Law and Education02:33 Advocating for Keeping Families Out of Court07:15 Child Participation in Family Law11:10 Challenges Faced by Schools and Educators19:57 Training and Support for Educators29:15 The Role of Schools in Family Disputes38:54 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mediator-musings-for-mediators--3275854/support.

A child welfare bill that passed through both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly this week will raise the minimum age for marriage from 16 to 18. House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Platte County, says this will prevent young women from being victimized.

In this conversation, Dr. Han Goh shares his extensive journey in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), detailing his experiences under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Iwata and his transition from academia to private practice. He discusses the evolution of ABA, particularly concerning insurance reform and its implications for service delivery. Han emphasizes the importance of training foster parents using behavioral techniques to improve outcomes for children in foster care, highlighting the significance of family unity and collaboration in the field. He also touches on his international connections and future aspirations to advance ABA practices globally. Watch the video of this conversation here! https://youtu.be/ewcSHeCXXWQ   Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop) BACB: 0.5 Learning IBAO:  0.5 Learning QABA: 0.5 General We also offer certificates of attendance! Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/benreiman.bsky.social.bsky.social LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/ Contact: Dr Han-Leong Goh https://www.linkedin.com/in/han-leong-goh-%E5%90%B3%E6%BC%A2%E9%BE%8D-ph-d-bcba-d-lba-nc-6280a981/ Breakthrough Autism https://www.breakthroughnc.com/ Articles Referenced: Rescorla RA, Wagner AR. A theory of Pavlovian conditioning: Variations in the effectiveness of reinforcement and nonreinforcement. In: Classical Conditioning II: Current Research and Theory (Eds Black AH, Prokasy WF) New York: Appleton Century Crofts, pp. 64-99, 1972 Dunlap, G., & Vollmer, T. R. (2008). Introduction to the Special Issue on the Florida Behavior Analysis Services Program. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(5), 365-366. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731508318644  Van Camp, C. M., Vollmer, T. R., Goh, H.-L., Whitehouse, C. M., Reyes, J., Montgomery, J. L., & Borrero, J. C. (2008). Behavioral Parent Training in Child Welfare: Evaluations of Skills Acquisition. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(5), 377-391. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731507314008  Van Camp, C. M., Montgomery, J. L., Vollmer, T. R., Kosarek, J. A., Happe, S., Burgos, V., & Manzolillo, A. (2008). Behavioral Parent Training in Child Welfare: Maintenance and Booster Training. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(5), 392-400. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731508318658 Stoutimore, M. R., Williams, C. E., Neff, B., & Foster, M. (2008). The Florida Child Welfare Behavior Analysis Services Program. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(5), 367-376. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731508318654   Related Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes: Episode 40: Dr. Kim Crosland https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-40-applications-of-behaviour-science-to-foster-care-runaways-the-homeless-and-bullying-with-kimberly-crosland-phd-bcba-d/ Episode 135: Arturo Garcia https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-135-addressing-human-trafficking-with-behavior-analysis/ Episode 206: Arthur Hairston https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-206-autistic-youth-in-foster-care-with-arthur-hairston-med-bcba/ Links: Malaysia ABA https://m-aba.com/  

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian and Courtney engage with Kayla and Chris Habegger, a couple navigating the world of non-traditional kinship care. They discuss their journey into fostering, the importance of community awareness, and the dynamics of kinship care. The conversation highlights the emotional and practical aspects of fostering, emphasizing the need for understanding and support within families and communities.Kayla and Chris Habegger share their experiences as new foster parents, discussing the challenges and insights gained from their journey. They emphasize the importance of empowering children to share their stories, understanding the complexities of trauma, and the need for ongoing training and support in foster care. The couple reflects on their goals for reunification with the child's biological family and the significance of maintaining healthy relationships throughout the process.

Commissioner Vicki Reed joins Dr. Sandie Morgan to discuss the intersection of juvenile justice and child welfare, highlighting the importance of collaboration, care, and community in supporting vulnerable youth and preventing their exploitation. Vicki Reed Vicki Reed has dedicated her career to child welfare and juvenile justice, with over two decades of experience working with system-involved youth. She holds a degree in law enforcement and a master's in criminal justice, and has been a strong advocate for vulnerable children in both public and private sectors. Vicki has served as a juvenile probation officer, the director of a youth-serving agency, and has helped shape state-level training for child welfare workers in Kentucky. Beyond her advocacy and service as Juvenile Justice Commissioner of Kentucky, she is also an accomplished author. In her previous appearance on this podcast (episode 246), Vicki discussed her novel The Car Thief. In this episode, she shares insights from her latest novel, Sleight of Hand, which also draws from her extensive experience working with youth. Key Points Vicki Reed shares how an unexpected opportunity and sense of calling led her to come out of retirement to serve as Kentucky's Juvenile Justice Commissioner. She emphasizes the critical difference between juvenile justice and adult corrections, noting that punitive approaches fail with youth and that rehabilitation, mental health support, education, and pro-social activities are far more effective. The high cost of long-term incarceration underscores the need for early intervention and supportive programming for at-risk youth. Reed discusses how negative placement experiences in foster care can reinforce harmful behaviors, while positive, stable placements with appropriate support can change life trajectories. Her novels, The Car Thief and Sleight of Hand, serve as creative tools to educate readers about the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, illustrating how caring adults make a significant difference in a young person's life. The character of Alex in Sleight of Hand, who experiences 64 placements, highlights the systemic issues facing youth in foster care and the importance of wraparound services. Vicki introduces the concept of “automatic adult responses” and stresses the value of reframing interactions with youth, drawing on insights from expert Charlie Applestein and his approach from No Such Thing as a Bad Kid. Pro-social activities, such as music lessons, art therapy, or simple childhood experiences like flying a kite, play a key role in building competencies and self-worth for vulnerable youth. Collaboration across systems—child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health—is vital, as these sectors often serve the same youth but in siloed ways. Reed advocates for dual status teams like those in Indiana, which require collaborative planning for youth involved in both child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Children in congregate care (group homes or residential placements) are at higher risk for exploitation, making family-based care the preferred model whenever possible. Reed calls for greater community engagement, suggesting ways individuals can support youth through fostering, volunteering as court advocates (CASA), or contributing to foster care organizations. Resources Book: Sleight of Hand by Vicki Reed Book: The Car Thief by Vicki Reed Charlie Applestein: No Such Thing as a Bad Kid EHT246: Why You Should Read The Car Thief Transcript [00:00:00] Sandie: Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast, brought to you by Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice, here in Orange County, California. I'm Dr. Sandy Morgan, and this is the show where we equip you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in the fight to end human trafficking. [00:00:22] Today I'm thrilled to welcome back Commissioner Vicki Reed. To the show,

The murder trial that exposed horrifying gaps in child protection.An 8-year-old girl, barely clinging to life, was rushed to a London hospital after a cab driver sees her state. By the time paramedics got her there, it was already too late.  In this heartbreaking case, I tell you about the abuse, the failures, and the devastating loss of Victoria Climbié—and how an entire system let her down when she needed it most.************************************************************************************************Podcast Promo: Mythical True Crime*************************************************************************************************Do you have thoughts about this case, or is there a specific true crime case you'd like to hear about? Let me know with an email or a voice message: https://murderandlove.com/contactFind the sources used in this episode and learn more about how to support Love and Murder: Heartbreak to Homicide and gain access to even more cases, including bonus episodes, ad-free and intro-free cases, case files and more at: https://murderandlove.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Please take some time to Rate, Share, Subscribe!

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes speak with Scott Fuller, Vice President of Advancement at Murphy Harpst Children's Center. They discuss the organization's century-long commitment to caring for vulnerable children in foster care, Scott's personal journey into the field, and the innovative therapeutic programs offered, including equine therapy. The conversation highlights the importance of community support and the evolution of child welfare services in Georgia. This conversation also delves into the complexities of congregate care and residential group homes, exploring the evolving landscape of child welfare. The speakers discuss the myths surrounding residential care, pros and cons of residential foster care settings, the importance of community in healing, and the challenges faced by youth transitioning to adulthood. They emphasize the need for supportive policies and community involvement to address the gaps in foster care and ensure that every child receives the love and attention they need to thrive.

A record number of New Yorkers are on cash assistance, but starting April 28, recipients will once again need to meet work requirements to keep their benefits. Meanwhile, a new report finds that low-income Black and Hispanic families in the city face a disproportionate number of child welfare investigations. Plus, the sanitation department is opening a new compost pickup site in Astoria, offering free bags of compost to residents on select days.

Today we talked to Alex Jutca; he leads analytics and technology at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, where his team's mission is to build the country's leading R&D lab for local government. Allegheny County is known for having the best integrated data of any state and local system in the country, and they've applied it effectively, like using predictive algorithms in child welfare.We discussed:* What issues are consistent across Pittsburgh, Philly, and Baltimore?* How does a local CPS actually work?* When shouldn't you involuntarily commit people with severe mental disorders?* Why has anti-addiction drug development stalled out? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.statecraft.pub

  Lisa Gitelson - The Fresh Air Fund: Because a Summer Can Last a Lifetime. This is episode 756 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Lisa Gitelson is the CEO of The Fresh Air Fund. Each year the nearly 148-year-old nonprofit invites about 3,000 low-income New York City-based children ages 8-18 to spend the summer swimming, rowing, hiking, and stargazing in Fresh Air Fund camps. Throughout Lisa's career in public service, as an attorney and child welfare advocate, she has been dedicated to addressing the needs of underserved youth.  Prior to joining The Fund, she was Assistant Executive Director/Legal Counsel for The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC). She is also an Adjunct Professor at Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, CUNY, where she teaches the Policy & Practice of Child Welfare.  As Assistant Executive Director/Legal Counsel for NYSPCC, Lisa identified legislation and other public policy issues that impacted the organization's work and developed an advocacy agenda to move public policy efforts forward.  Previously, she served as Associate Executive Director, Downstate, at the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA) where she was responsible for bringing private foster care, juvenile justice, residential care and prevention services agencies together to coordinate advocacy efforts for the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. In this role, Lisa represented COFCCA member agencies in discussions with the Administration for Children's Services, the New York City Council and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.    Prior to COFCCA, Lisa was the Director of Foster Care and Adoption Services at Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services. She began her career as an attorney representing foster care agencies before serving in multiple leadership and supervisory roles at the New York City Administration for Children's Services, Family Court Legal Services. Lisa is a graduate of Colgate University and has a JD from Washington University School of Law. Our focus today is The Fresh Air Fund. Awesome talk! So much to learn! Please share. Before you go... You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee. This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.  Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! You are AWESOME! Connect & Learn More: https://freshair.org/ https://x.com/FreshAirFund https://www.instagram.com/thefreshairfund/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/freshairfund LGitelson@freshair.org Length - 32:10

Greg Bishop provides the back and forth between Illinois House Republicans and Gov. J.B. Pritzker over criticism of the governor's handling of child welfare and developmental disability housing agencies.

Ambassador Wendy Sherman, the 21st U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and the first woman in that position, has been a diplomat, businesswoman, professor, political strategist, author, and social worker. She served under three presidents and five secretaries of state, becoming known as a diplomat for hard conversations in hard places. As Deputy Secretary, she was the point person on China. While serving as Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Sherman led the U.S. negotiating team that reached an agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1, the European Union and Iran.  And, as Counselor at the State Department, she led on North Korea and was engaged on Middle East negotiations. For her diplomatic accomplishments she was awarded the National Security Medal by President Barack Obama. At Harvard Kennedy School, she was a professor of the practice of public leadership, director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School (where she is now a Hauser Leadership Fellow), and a current and former Senior Fellow at the School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. In 2002, along with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Sherman built a global consulting business, The Albright Group. Sherman previously served on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, chaired Oxfam America's Board of Directors, served on the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Policy Board, and was Director of Child Welfare for the State of Maryland. She is the author of the book: “Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power and Persistence.” Sherman attended Smith College and received a B.A. cum laude from Boston University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Ralph Ranalli of the HKS Office of Communications and Public Affairs is the host, producer, and editor of HKS PolicyCast. A former journalist, public television producer, and entrepreneur, he holds an BA in political science from UCLA and a master's in journalism from Columbia University.Scheduling and logistical support for PolicyCast is provided by Lilian Wainaina. Design and graphics support is provided by Laura King and the OCPA Design Team. Web design and social media promotion support is provided by Catherine Santrock and Natalie Montaner of the OCPA Digital Team. Editorial support is provided by Nora Delaney and Robert O'Neill of the OCPA Editorial Team. 

This week, the Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could reshape child custody laws for Native American children. At the heart of the case is a challenge to the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, or MIFPA. Plus, a proposed bill in Congress is raising concerns about voting among Native communities across the country. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would require all Americans to prove their citizenship in person with official documents when registering to vote .

Welcome back to Seasoned Sessions! This episode, we discuss; a couple sentenced to hundreds of years in prison after abusing their adoptive children, the upcoming Ronnie Spector biopic with Zendaya, and more – plus, we give Beyoncé's Sir Davis a taste test. Get in touch with us at @seasonedsessionspod, @adaenechi, and @its_hanifahh – have a great week!

In this moment, as many of us experience a shift in what we are allowed to talk about at work related to DEI and identity, we are sharing this series of episodes exploring how Vermont is talking about antiracism and abolitionism in child welfare. Please join us in this series: How the Story is Told: An Abolitionist Child Welfare Conference. This is Part 3: The child welfare that can be realized through our imaginations and life's work featuring Dr. Brenda Solomon. Show notes & transcripts available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  Follow us on IG: @thesocialworklens  https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Why is kinship care important, and what are some of the challenges? Our guests are Gregory Jones, a granddad raising five grandkids from birth to now ranging in age from 9 to 12; Ana Beltran, an attorney, and director of the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center; and Erica Burgess, a social worker with over 25 years of experience in child welfare, specializing in kinship care.In this episode, we discuss:How common is kinship care throughout the US—both formal (child welfare involved) and informal?Grandparents raising grandkids or aunts and uncles raising nephews and nieces is often complicated and comes with a mix of challenges and blessings.What are some of the blessings?What are some of the challenges? Managing the relationship between the caregiver and the parents.What are some common challenges in this relationship?What are some common boundaries that need to be set in kinship care?Lack of preparation and training for raising kids who have experienced trauma, neglect, prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs, etc.Lack of financial support.How can social workers and child welfare professionals make sure that kinship caregivers get the full extent of financial support?Access to resources. What are some typical resources that kinship caregivers should ask about and that child welfare agencies should consider providing?We see a significant variance between jurisdictions in social workers and child welfare professionals in the embrace of placing children with relatives.Why are some social workers hesitant to place kids with relatives?From an ethical perspective, why must social workers open their minds to looking for kin first when removing a child from their parents?Placing children with kin rather than the state taking custody. (Hidden foster care/kinship diversion)Legal considerationsEthical considerations with the hidden foster.Great resources:Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center Grandfacts: State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising ChildrenNCKinshipFamilies.org - Legal Permanency Options for NC Kinship Families websiteFree Kinship Legal Clinic Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare Systemhttps://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-kinshi/Online Kinship Support Group - email tracy@creatingafamily.orgSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

AP correspondent Donna Warder reports on a lawsuit that accuses Vermont child welfare officials of targeting pregnant women considered unsuitable for motherhood.

If you ask almost anyone about the time of year that people feel the most down, the time people are most at risk for depression, suicide, and increased substance use, they will answer winter. Surprisingly, perhaps, the research shows that it's actually when spring moves into summer. Joshua Arvidson discusses that research and what can be done to help individuals improve their mental health during challenging times of the year. Joshua is Chief Operations Officer for Alaska Behavioral Health. He is a licensed clinical social worker and an expert in trauma informed care for children who established the Alaska Child Trauma Center at Alaska Behavioral Health. He serves on the Steering Committee for SAMHSA's National Child Traumatic Stress Network and is the Principal Investigator for the Military Family Child Trauma Program. He's also on the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma and has presented on childhood trauma at over 100 conferences, including the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Joshua serves on the Board of Directors for FOCUS and has designed and taught courses on clinical practice with children and adolescents and childhood trauma for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Joshua has published in the journals Child Welfare 360, Child Maltreatment, the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, and Trauma, Abuse and Violence. Alaska Behavioral Health, its resources, and its programs can be reached at https://alaskabehavioralhealth.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!

Elisa Izquierdo was a young child whose tragic death revealed deep flaws in the child welfare system. In this video, we explore her heartbreaking story—from the early signs of abuse to the reforms inspired by her case, including the groundbreaking Elisa's Law. Join us as we examine how one tragedy sparked a nationwide call for accountability and change, while honoring Elisa's memory and the fight to protect our most vulnerable. Viewer discretion is advised.   Watch the Youtube version (Sources in the Description) https://youtu.be/akpqh-EsnUk   Check out my website and submit cases www.danellehallantc.com Follow my socials! facebook.com/danellehallan Instagram.com/danellehallanyt https://www.tiktok.com/@danellehallan

In a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Carrie King, Katie Brilhart, and Becky Ludwit from the PA Partnerships for Children (PPC) to discuss their advocacy efforts for better education, healthcare, child welfare, and policies that support children and families in Pennsylvania.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What policy successes and failures have shaped outcomes for kids in the past five years, and what is necessary to create solutions in the next five? Join Naomi and Ian for the final episode of the Are You Kidding Me? podcast. From breakthroughs in school choice, to failures in child safety, to the growing ideological capture in child welfare and education, our hosts discuss “the good, the bad, and the ugly” of recent years–while looking ahead to what's needed to create a better future for America's children.Resources• Subscribe to the Are You Kidding Me? Monthly Newsletter • Stay Up to Date with The Free InitiativeShow Notes• 1:10 | “The Good”: Victories for School Choice • 5:04 | “The Good”: The Importance of Family Structure• 9:42 | “The Good”: Pushback against Extreme Ideas in Child Welfare • 13:10 | “The Bad”: Poor Policies around Reporting Child Safety Risks• 17:27 | “The Bad”: Misconceptions around Racial Disparities in Child Data • 18:40 | “The Bad”: The Family First Prevention Services Act's Impact on Residential Care • 25:13 | “Looking Ahead”: Report Data by Family Structure• 29:35 | “Looking Ahead”: Better Policies around Child Maltreatment Fatalities • 32:31 | How to Stay Connected with Naomi and Ian's Work

In this Florida Man Friday episode, Ky tells you the case of Diane Natasha Mack, a former child welfare worker whose actions led to the tragic death of her adopted daughter, Selena. The narrative begins with a seemingly routine 911 call: a mother reporting her unresponsive child. However, what unfolds next is a shocking revelation of abuse and neglect that raises serious questions about the child welfare system. When first responders arrived, they found a malnourished 13-year-old child covered in wounds, a grim reflection of the systemic horrors that had transpired in Diane's home.As we explore the timeline of events, it quickly becomes apparent that Diane's initial claims about her daughter's condition were fabricated. Instead of calling for help immediately, she opted to drive her other children two and a half hours away. This decision to delay medical assistance underscores a chilling narrative of neglect and potential premeditation. The investigation into Diane's home revealed further evidence of sustained abuse, including shackles and blood-stained restraints, highlighting the level of violence and control exerted over Selena. The findings at the crime scene were so disturbing that Sheriff Paul Blackman described it as one of the most shocking cases he had ever encountered.Throughout the episode, we bring to light Diane's background as a Department of Children and Families (DCF) worker, a role that ironically positioned her to protect vulnerable children rather than harm them. My discussion emphasizes the immense failure of the child welfare system, questioning how someone with such a background could adopt children and then subject them to such deplorable treatment. As I break down Diane's history and her stint as a court-appointed guardian ad litem, I confront systemic issues within the DCF — from overwhelmed caseworkers handling excessive caseloads to the alarming lack of proper oversight that allowed this abuse to occur unnoticed.We also hear from Selena's biological mother, Jennifer, who lost custody years prior and desperately sought to reunite with her daughter. Her emotional pleas resonate throughout the episode, serving as a stark reminder of the human cost when child welfare systems fail. As the ramifications of Diane's actions unfold, I discuss the ongoing legal proceedings, including the charges of first-degree murder and the state's pursuit of the death penalty, and reflect on the broader implications for child welfare policies in Florida.As I wrap up the episode, I reflect on the critical need for reform within the DCF and the urgent call to action regarding child protective services nationwide. The tragedy of Selena's case is more than just a singular horror; it reveals widespread systemic failures that place countless children at risk. I encourage listeners to engage with this case and share their thoughts, stressing the need for awareness and accountability in the fight for children's rights and safety. The episode serves as a grim reminder that we must not turn a blind eye; each child deserves protection and care, and it's up to us to advocate for systemic change.********************************************************************************Sources:https://www.myfloridanews.com/news/southwest/sebring-woman-charged-with-murder-and-abuse-of-adopted-daughter/article_2e36efcc-5ca9-5cbb-bdb3-9f17264f1405.htmlhttps://www.lawyerherald.com/articles/60882/20241118/daughter-dead-garage-florida-child-welfare-worker-abuse-bruised-diane-natasha-mack.htmhttps://www.wfla.com/news/highlands-county/ex-department-of-children-and-families-worker-accused-of-killing-teen-daughter/https://people.com/dcf-worker-charged-murder-daughter-found-naked-emaciated-diaper-8747303https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/florida-woman-charged-murder-abuse-death-adopted-daughter-13**********************************************************************************HOW TO SUPPORT LOVE AND MURDER:

Are you curious about the emotional rollercoaster of fostering and adopting as an out gay family? Merry Elkins and Cathy Worthington sit down with Lane Igoudin, author of "A Family, Maybe." Lane shares his poignant journey of fostering and adopting multicultural children, diving deep into the complexities faced by LGBTQ families. Hear Lane read the first chapter of his memoir, capturing the heart-stopping moment he and his partner Jonathan welcomed a newborn with a complex background into their lives. Discover why they chose fostering over other options and how it impacted their relationship. Lane candidly discusses the cultural dynamics within their family and the broader social and political challenges surrounding adoption rights. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of love, resilience, and advocacy. Tune in for insights and inspiration!Lane's BioLane Igoudin, Ph.D., is the author of A Family, Maybe, a life-changing journey through foster adoptions to fatherhood (Ooligan Press, Portland State University, 2024). He has written extensively on adoption, parenting, and other issues for Adoption.com, Forward, Jewish Journal, and Parabola and spoken about his book on NBC's “Daytime” show, syndicated radio shows, literary and parenting podcasts, as well as live audiences on his 12-stop book tour. A Family, Maybe received endorsements from US Congressman Alan Lowenthal, California Senator Sheila Kuehl, bestselling writers like Janet Fitch and Greta Boris, parenting experts and social work professionals. Lane is professor of English and linguistics at Los Angeles City College.Connect with LaneWebsite: www.laneigoudin.comEmail: laneigoudin@gmail.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/lane.igoudin/Instagram: @laneigoudin

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Brian, Courtney, and Travis discuss the vital role of social workers in foster care, especially during Social Worker Appreciation Month. They explore the misconceptions surrounding social workers, the various roles of caseworkers, and the challenges they face. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating the work of caseworkers, fostering a collaborative relationship between foster parents and caseworkers, and recognizing the humanity in each other's roles. The hosts also discuss the things foster parents often feel and wish caseworkers understood better. The episode concludes with suggestions on how foster parents can show appreciation to their caseworkers, reinforcing the idea that they are all part of the same team working towards the best outcomes for children in care.

On this West Virginia Morning, Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park is just one of the sites already feeling the effects of firing federal workers at National Parks, and West Virginia's new Secretary of the Department of Human Services, Alex Mayer, discusses the future of child welfare. The post New Human Services Secretary Discusses Child Welfare And Effect Of Federal Cuts Are Felt At Mammoth Cave, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Tonight, we dive into a chilling exposé with Hadassah Feinberg, a whistleblower from Governor Josh Shapiro's small Jewish community in Pennsylvania. As a mandated reporter, she uncovered child abuse cover-ups, only to face retaliation from local officials who targeted her family and kidnapped her kids. Fleeing to Florida, Hadassah discovered the corruption stretched to the highest levels, implicating those in power. Join us as she reveals the shocking truth about abuse, intimidation, and a system protecting itself—all from the town where the governor calls home. www.youtube.com/@SpeakUpPa

Join Fantom Facts Society as we unravel the chilling tale of CPS tearing families apart under false pretenses, spotlighting Spike Cohen's recent victory in Georgia aiding wrongly accused parents. We plunge into the shadowy tactics of CPS, exposing how they manipulate courts and wield their own medical experts to unjustly remove kids—with zero accountability for their errors. Then, we shift gears to explore Dr. Elizabeth Loftus' groundbreaking—and controversial—work on implanting false memories, a journey that kicked off in the ‘60s alongside the enigmatic Jolly West. Is memory manipulation a diabolical tool or a misunderstood marvel? We weigh the pros, cons, and ethical quagmires in this mind-bending episodeCPS corruption, Spike Cohen, Georgia parents, family separation, false pretenses, court system abuse, medical manipulation, child removal, no accountability, Dr. Loftus, false memories, memory implantation, Jolly West, 1960s research, psychological ethics, mind control, CPS tactics, parental rights, justice system flaws, memory science, controversial psychology, ethical dilemmas, child welfare, government overreach, implanted evidence, courtroom deception, CPS doctors, family trauma, memory distortion, psychological manipulation, Spike Cohen activism, Georgia success, CPS reform, false accusations, Dr. Loftus legacy, pros and cons, diabolical science, memory reliability, CPS underbelly, parental advocacy, unethical practices, court leverage, memory experiments, child protection flaws, psychological impact, systemic abuse, truth vs. fabrication, Fantom Facts, investigative deep dive

In this conversation, Michael Weitzman shares his profound journey from growing up in the foster care system to becoming an advocate for vulnerable children. Michael's faith in God became his lifeline as he faced some really difficult times in foster care. He discusses the challenges he faced, including a failed adoption, emotional struggles, and the impact of trauma on his life. Michael emphasizes the importance of mentorship and faith in his journey, ultimately finding purpose in serving others and sharing his story of resilience and hope. He also shares more on the pain of abandonment and the ongoing impact of these experiences on his relationships and identity. He emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and the role of faith in healing. Michael discusses the complexities of navigating relationships with both biological and adoptive siblings, and the necessity of building connections to foster healing and transformation. He calls for greater engagement from the community to support foster children, highlighting that relationships are crucial for their development and well-being.You can reach Michael at: maweitzman@icloud.com

On this week's episode, we review some of the recent action out of Washington, including what's going on with federal funds, the impact of Trump's executive orders on some youth with lived experience, and who is temporarily leading child welfare and youth justice policy. We also break down the findings from a report on health care for youth who have aged out of foster care, and a new bill that would fund post-adoption support. Reading RoomRegister for Empowered Youth Voices: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence in Storytelling.https://bit.ly/3EZiz4tThe Acting Leaders on Child Welfare, Youth Justicehttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/the-acting-leaders-on-child-welfare-youth-justice/259082Early Trump Actions Leave Lived Experience Jobs in Fluxhttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/early-trump-actions-leave-lived-experience-jobs-flux/258758Trump Halts, then Reinstates, Legal Counsel for Unaccompanied Minors Seeking Asylumhttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/trump-halts-legal-counsel-for-unaccompanied-minors-seeking-asylum/259021Report Notes Trends, Barriers in Medicaid Enrollment for Former Foster Youth https://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/gao-notes-trends-barriers-in-medicaid-enrollment-for-former-foster-youth/258781Bills Introduced on Adoption Support, Rehominghttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/bills-introduced-adoption-support-rehoming/258945

An estimated 5% of foster youth qualify for Social Security benefits, but in many states, child welfare agencies use these funds to help cover the cost of care. In 2018 alone, agencies in 49 states and Washington, D.C., received at least $165 million in benefits intended for foster youth.In this episode, Shoshana Weissmann interviews Maureen Flatley, subject matter expert in child welfare and child exploitation. They discuss how these funds are managed, the policies guiding their use, and the ongoing conversations about their impact on foster youth and the child welfare system.

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 – 9:00 AM Location: Capitol Complex, 2008 RHOB, Washington, DC, 20515, USA Aurene Martin Board of Directors Member National Indian Child Welfare Association More on Indianz.Com: https://indianz.com/News/2025/02/24/video-american-indian-and-alaska-native-public-witness-hearing-day-3/

February 25, 2025 ~ Recent news stories have highlighted severe failures in Michigan's child welfare system. Luke Meerman (R-Rochester Hills) talks with Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie to address prompted discussions about potential remedies and legislative actions.

In this episode of InnerViews, host Ivory Bennett sits down with Montina Myers-Galloway, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, TEDx speaker, and advocate for Black women healing from parentification. Together, they explore the impact of adultification and emotional burdens placed on Black youth in foster care and juvenile justice. Montina shares how professionals can create trauma-informed spaces, support mental well-being, and empower youth to reclaim their narratives. This conversation is a must-listen for those committed to breaking cycles and fostering emotional healing in child welfare.

Dr. Heather Wilson, a 1982 Air Force Academy graduate, formerly the 24th Secretary of the Air Force, and first USAFA graduate to hold the position, discusses her unexpected journey to the role, emphasizing the importance of integrity, service, and leadership. ----more---- SUMMARY Dr. Wilson shares her unexpected journey into leadership, the importance of integrity, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures. She reflects on her family legacy, the influence of mentors, and how her military background shaped her leadership style. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the value of collecting tools for leadership and adapting to different environments while maintaining core values. In this conversation, she discusses the importance of finding purpose in one's mission and the value of relationships, particularly family support. She reflects on her journey as a woman in leadership, the significance of legacy in public service, and her unexpected path to serving in Congress. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the lessons learned in collaboration and the importance of humor in leadership, ultimately encouraging future leaders to uphold high standards and not to shame their families.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK   TAKEAWAYS Dr. Wilson's journey to becoming Secretary of the Air Force was unexpected and transformative. Leadership often requires owning failures and focusing on solutions. Integrity is foundational to effective leadership and builds trust. Adapting leadership styles to different cultures is essential for success. Mentorship and influences from family play a significant role in shaping leaders. Collecting tools and knowledge is crucial for effective leadership. Quality management principles can be applied to various fields, including education and social services. Leadership is not linear; it involves navigating different paths and chapters. Building strong teams and hiring the right people is vital for organizational success. Direct communication and honesty are key components of effective leadership. Doing things that matter with people you like is essential. The most important decision in life can be personal, like choosing a partner. Family support enriches life and provides joy. Women in leadership often face unique challenges but can pave the way for others. Legacy is about making lasting changes in systems and strategies. Unexpected opportunities can lead to significant career changes. Collaboration and giving credit to others is key in leadership roles. Humor can help create a relaxed atmosphere in serious environments. Education is crucial for transforming lives and communities. Leadership is not always a straight path; adaptability is important.   EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00  Introduction to Long Blue Leadership 01:25  Unexpected Call to Leadership 03:16  Lessons from Leadership Challenges 08:28  The Importance of Integrity 10:07  Adapting Leadership Styles 12:23  Influences and Mentorship 15:25  Family Legacy and Influence 17:41  Learning from Team Members 21:29  Applying Quality Management Principles 24:07  Navigating Non-Linear Leadership Paths 24:20  Finding Purpose in Mission and Relationships 28:06  The Importance of Family Support 30:08  Navigating Leadership as a Woman 34:30  Legacy and Impact in Public Service 36:29  Unexpected Paths: Serving in Congress 41:03  Lessons in Collaboration and Leadership   ABOUT DR. WILSON - IMAGES AND BIO COURTESY OF UTEP BIO Dr. Heather Wilson became the 11th President of The University of Texas at El Paso in 2019 after serving as Secretary of the United States Air Force. She is the former president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and she represented New Mexico in the United States Congress for 10 years.  Active in community and national affairs, she is a member of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation, and serves as a board member of the Texas Space Commission. She was the inaugural Chair of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, and is a member of the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Dr. Wilson is the granddaughter of immigrants and was the first person in her family to go to college. She graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in the third class to admit women and earned her master's and doctoral degrees from Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar. UTEP is located on the U.S.-Mexico border – in the fifth largest manufacturing region in North America – and serves over 24,000 students with 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in nine colleges and schools. In the top 5% of public universities in the United States for research and designated a community-engaged university by the Carnegie Foundation, UTEP is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. It is the fourth largest research university in Texas and serves a student body that is 84% Hispanic. President Wilson is an instrument rated private pilot. She and her husband, Jay Hone, have two adult children and two granddaughters. Dr. Heather Wilson served as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force and was responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training and equipping and providing for the welfare of 660,000 Active-Duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces their families. She provided oversight of the Air Force's annual budget of more than $132 billion and directs strategy and policy development, risk management, weapons acquisition, technology investments and human resource management across a global enterprise. Dr. Wilson has more than 35 years of professional experience in a range of leadership and management roles in the military, higher education, government and private industry. Before assuming her current position, Dr. Wilson was president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, an engineering and science research university. From 1998 to 2009, Dr. Wilson was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Before being elected to Congress, Dr. Wilson was a cabinet secretary in New Mexico's state government responsible for foster care, adoption, juvenile delinquency, children's mental health and early childhood education. From 1989 to 1991 Wilson served on the National Security Council staff as director for defense policy and arms control for President George H.W. Bush during the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. From 1991 to1995 and again from 2009 to 2013 Wilson was in the private sector. In 1991, she founded Keystone International, Inc., a company that did business development and program planning work for defense and scientific industry. She served as a senior advisor to several national laboratories on matters related to nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, arms control verification, intelligence and the defense industrial base. Wilson also served on the boards of two publicly traded corporations as well as numerous advisory and non-profit boards.   CONNECT WITH DR. WILSON LINKEDIN  |  UTEP     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest:  Dr. Heather Wilson '82  |  Hosts:  Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz  00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkowicz, Class of '99. Our story is about a leader who reached heights fellow Air Force Academy graduates had not reached before her, and this was at a time when opportunities to do so were still new. My guest is Dr. Heather Wilson, Class of '82. As you heard, she served as the 24th secretary of the Air Force, but there is a unique distinction attached to that. Dr Wilson, welcome to Long Blue Leadership; we have much to discuss. Let's start with you becoming the secretary of the Air Force, our 24th.   Dr. Heather Wilson  00:37 Yeah, that wasn't part of my life's plan. Secretary Designate Mattis did call me. I was in South Dakota as the president of the South Dakota School of Mines and my cell phone rang and he said, “This is Jim Mattis, and I want to talk to you about becoming secretary of the Air Force.” And honest to goodness, my initial answer was, “Sir, you do know that being a college president is like the best job in America, right?” And he said, “Yeah, I know. I just came from Stanford.” And I said, “I didn't apply for any job. I mean, I like it out... I'm a gal of the West. I like the mountains. I like hiking and biking and fly fishing.” And he said, “Yeah, I know. I grew up on the Columbia River in Washington.” And I thought, “This isn't working,” but we talked several more times, and it was pretty clear that I was being called to serve in a way that I didn't anticipate, but that was what I was supposed to do.   Naviere Walkewicz  01:35 What a transformative moment in your life, I'm sure.   Dr. Heather Wilson  01:38 Well, it was. Again, my entire life, I think, is a diversion from its planned course. But I turned out — I didn't anticipate that, and it meant — my husband doesn't really much like big East Coast cities that rain a lot and have a lot of traffic, and so from a family point of view, it wasn't what we personally wanted to do, but you're called to serve. And we've been called to serve in different ways in our lives and sometimes, even if it feels inconvenient, you're still called to serve. It turned out to be wonderful and I really enjoyed the experience, both of working with Sec. Mattis, but also getting back to spending time with airmen. And so it turned out to be wonderful, but it wasn't what I expected.   Naviere Walkewicz  02:25 Well, you said it, ma'am. As we know, service and leadership aren't linear, and so we're really excited to dive into some of those experiences today. Maybe share, as secretary of the Air Force, some of those moments in leadership that stuck with you. Let's just kind of start there.   Dr. Heather Wilson  02:42 Certainly. There were good days and not so good days. I think one of the things that I really benefited from was that I had a partner in the chief of staff, Dave Goldfein, who was absolutely fantastic. And we've remained very close friends. We started at the Academy the same day and he would joke and tell people that we didn't graduate on the same day because he went stop-out for a year. But we didn't know each other well as cadets, but we were formed by some of the same experiences and I think that helped tremendously. I didn't really understand that in our system of government, the civilian secretary has almost all the authority, but the chief of staff has almost all of the influence. And if you can figure out how to work together, you can get a heck of a lot done. And Dave and I both had that same approach, and it turned out to be a great partnership.   Naviere Walkewicz  03:42 That's pretty incredible. In fact, the time of your service in that role, I was actually working under your umbrella at U.S. STRATCOM. I was at Strategic Command there as a government civilian and as a reservist. And so, I can certainly speak to, I think, some of the amazing things that you did. Can you share a little — you talked about some ups and downs. What was maybe one of the failures as secretary of the Air Force that you learned from that helped you throughout your life?   Dr. Heather Wilson  04:11 Well, I know the day. I think it was Nov. 5, 2017, and it was a Sunday, late morning or early afternoon, and my phone rang. I was upstairs in the study in my row house in Virginia and it was the inspector general, Gen. Syed. And that morning, a young man had walked into a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and opened fire and killed a lot of people, and it turned out he had been an airman, and the general said, “You know, we're not sure yet, but he may have been convicted of a crime that would have required us to tell the FBI and the national criminal records check system that he had committed a crime that would not allow him to purchase a weapon, but we may have failed to notify.” We didn't know, we wouldn't know that afternoon but I talked to the chief and we all got together on Monday morning at 9 a.m. and Gen. Syed confirmed that he was an airman, he had been convicted of a domestic violence-related crime, and we had not properly notified the FBI, and as a result, he had been able to buy a weapon. Um, that was not a good day. And we talked about what we should do next, and our general counsel wasn't there — he was traveling that morning, but a more junior lawyer was there, who suggested kind of — and, you know, other people said, well — it actually got worse because there was an IG investigation, an internal audit from several years before, that showed that all of the services were not properly reporting to the national criminal records system. So we hadn't fixed the problem. We knew; we had been informed there was a problem and hadn't fixed it. And some people said, “Well, you weren't here at the time.” That doesn't matter. You wear the uniform, or you wear the cloak of office, and you have to take responsibility for the institution. And of course, the lawyers would say, “Well, you know, maybe you want to fuzz this and not take — you know, there's investigation going on,” or something. But we knew enough of the facts that morning, Monday morning, and Dave Goldfein and I decided to own it, to own the failure and focus on fixing the problem. And we did. And in the short term that was very uncomfortable. We sat in front of the Pentagon press corps and took their questions, and we went to Capitol Hill and informed the members of Congress on what had been done and not been done and why. But in the long term, by owning failure, we were able to focus on fixing the problem rather than just trying to manage responsibility and accountability, and it turned out to be a much better approach. So, sometimes the most important lesson is to own failure.   Naviere Walkewicz 07:09 I'm so glad you shared that, ma'am, because I think some people have a fear of failure, but there are many times when failure is inevitable, and to your point, owning it is the right approach. Something you said when you're sharing that, it made me think about us as cadets and our core values: integrity first. And that really resonated with how your approach was. Would you say that was born for you at the Academy and kind of through your career that's where it stayed, or has that always been part of your fabric?   Dr. Heather Wilson  07:36 I think the Academy was absolutely formative in that way, in the Honor Code. And, you know, integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do, now replaces what was there when I was a cadet, over the archway there. But I think that's woven into the fabric for airmen, and it's part of our culture, and it drives you. And I think — you know now we look at, how do we evaluate officers? It's the same way I now evaluate leaders — any leaders that work with me — and it's the way I evaluate myself: accomplish the mission, lead people, manage resources and make your unit better, all on a foundation of values. But it's that last part of it: all on a foundation of values. If you don't have that, the rest of it almost doesn't matter. You can try to make your unit better, but if you're lying about it, nobody's going to trust you. If you're leading people and managing resources, but you don't have integrity, it doesn't matter. So, integrity first, and that commitment to trying to be honest and direct with people builds those relationships of trust, which lasts for decades throughout a career.   Naviere Walkewicz  08:53 Absolutely. And the key word, I think, that foundation you talked about — how has that foundation served you in leadership as you've explored other areas outside of the military, amazing roles leading UTEP, also at the South Dakota School of Mines, in higher education? I'm sure that there's a translation of what that looks like. Can you share maybe an example of how that came into play?   Dr. Heather Wilson  09:15 Sure, it happens all the time. I think in any leadership position, whether you're in corporate life, in community life and a nonprofit, or in higher education, leading with a foundation of values, being honest, complying with the law, following the rules or changing the rules. It doesn't mean — that's one of the things that I think is probably important for leaders. You get to a point as a leader where your job is not just to follow the rules, but to look at the systems and identify the rules that need to be changed, but to be direct and honest about that too. Where it's not “Well, I think this rule doesn't make any sense, so I'm going to skirt it,” or “I'm not going to tell people that I've complied with something and I haven't.” In fact, you know that happened to me this morning. I got a disclosure that I was supposed to sign for a report that was published yesterday to the director of National Intelligence on a committee that I serve on, and they sent this kind of notification on what you can talk about publicly, and all of those things, and I hadn't given up my right to speak publicly about unclassified matters, and I responded, “I understand what you've said. I want to let you know that this is how I interpret this, and this is the way I'm going to act.” I was very direct about it. “I didn't give up my First Amendment rights as a citizen because I worked on your task force.” So, very direct. And I think that directness is something that — not all cultures are that way, including higher education culture. I have to be a little bit careful about that sometimes — the airman's tendency to have a frank debrief isn't always the way other cultures and work cultures are. They're just not always like that, so, I have to be a little bit careful sometimes that I don't crush people's will to live or something.   Naviere Walkewicz  11:13 I was actually thinking about that as you were speaking how, if you have the foundation, especially from the military, we kind of understand that directive approach and certainly those core values that we know of. And I'm curious, how do you adapt as a leader to those who maybe don't have that foundation? How do you bring them up to speed and kind of help them establish that?   Dr. Heather Wilson  11:32 Well, it's a two-way street. It means that I have to understand the culture that I'm in and the way in which I talk with senior faculty may be slightly different than the way I might talk to somebody who just got off a flight line and was too low and slow on final or something, you know? But at the same time with both a sense of humor and a little bit of grace… It was really funny when I was at South Dakota Mines, my provost was a long-time academic. And of course, I had served in Congress for 10 years as well. And he once said something to me that just made me crack up. He said, “You know, you are the least political president I've ever worked with. And the funny thing is, you're the only one that was really a politician.” And he said, “You remind me more of a military officer.” And I thought, “Yeah, that's probably true.” But I was fairly direct as a member of Congress as well. And so, I've just found that that works better for me in life, I guess.   Naviere Walkewicz  12:37 You were sharing how, you know, I think it was the provost that said that you really didn't remind him as someone that was very political, even though you're the only politician he's known. And so what was your time like serving in Congress? I mean, that's 10 years you did, I think, correct?   Dr. Heather Wilson  12:52 I did. And again, I didn't expect to serve in Congress. My predecessor became very seriously ill shortly before the filing deadline for the election that happened in 1998, and my phone rang. It was a Thursday night. This happens to me. I don't know why, but it was a Thursday night, and my phone rang. I was working in Santa Fe, cabinet secretary for Child Welfare, and it was Sen. Pete Domenici, the senior senator for the state of New Mexico. And he said, “You don't know anything about this, but I'm coming to New Mexico this weekend, and I want to talk to you about running for Congress.” Well, that's a quiz; that's not a question. Because a quiz has a right answer, which is, “Sir, I'd be happy to talk to you about whatever you want to talk about.” He's a United States senator. So, we talked about all kinds of things, and he called me from the airport when he was heading back to Washington that Sunday night, and he said, “Look, if you will run, I will help you.” And I decided to run. It was eight days before the filing deadline. I talked to my predecessor — he was fighting skin cancer — and said, “Look, why don't you just focus on fighting cancer? Two years from now, if you want to run again, you can have this seat back. I'll try to do my best for the next two years.” And then 30 days later, he died. I mean, you're not supposed to die of skin cancer. And so, I ended up serving for 10 years in the Congress in a very difficult swing district that I probably shouldn't have won in the first place. But I enjoyed the service part of it. I enjoyed the policy work part of it — intellectually challenging. Some of the partisan silliness I didn't like very much. And then when I left the Congress, ran on successfully for the Senate and became a university president. One of the great things — I tell people now that I was released from Congress early for good behavior. But it was nice to be in a town where people were waving at me with all five fingers. I mean, it was wonderful. So, I enjoyed the service, and I enjoyed a lot helping people — doing casework and things. But it was also a little bit less of a partisan time where you could try to listen and learn and serve well and try to serve your constituents without just being under attack mercilessly and in social media, or something. It was maybe perhaps a different age.   Naviere Walkewicz  15:25 Well, I chuckled when you said waving with all five fingers. That got a good one out of me. I thought about when you're in that, because that wasn't something you were looking to do, and this seems to be a bit of a theme in your leadership trajectory as well. You've kind of been tapped on the shoulder, and you know, for the ones that you didn't apply for or run for, plan for, have been such transformative positions in your life.   Dr. Heather Wilson  15:50 Yeah, and I think maybe that happens to people more than we might acknowledge, because when we're planning our lives, we think we know what's going to happen, but in reality, we adapt to situations that develop and opportunities open that you didn't know were there or someone asked you to take on a special project and that leads you in a direction that you didn't anticipate. So while mine seem particularly unusual in these very different chapters of my life, I don't think it's all that unusual. We just look forward and project in straight lines, and when we look backward, we tell a story in a narrative and it's not always a straight line. But I've been blessed to be asked to do some things. And perhaps in our relationship, my husband and I, he doesn't like change. I love it, and so in our relationship, he's kind of the keel and I'm kind of the sail, and together, we go places.   Naviere Walkewicz  16:56 That's awesome. And I think that particular time and journey in your career serving in Congress was probably one that you established new tools in your leadership toolbox. Were there any that particularly stood out — moments, either when you were having to, you know, forge new policy or achieve things that you hadn't prior? Because Congress is a kind of different machine.   Dr. Heather Wilson  17:21 Yeah, it's a very big committee, and it's not executive leadership. And so I'm probably more predisposed to executive leadership than just being on committees. It takes a very long time to get anything done in Congress, and our government is intentionally designed that way to protect us from tyranny. So you have to take that philosophical approach to it, even if you're frustrated day to day. I did learn how to get things done by giving other people credit. And there were several times — the changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is probably one example — where I had sponsored legislation in the House. It had taken quite a bit of time — changing Congress. There were continued problems, and I went to others and tried to put them in positions of leadership and support them. And ultimately, it was a Senate bill that passed, but which had been shaped in the background by multiple people, including me, and I was OK with that. And the same thing happened on pieces of legislation about public lands in New Mexico. I remember I came out in favor of doing something in northern New Mexico with respect to some public lands, and I got out ahead of Pete Domenici and he was not happy about that. He was very clear about not being happy about getting a little bit ahead of him on it. But in the end, the piece of legislation there that was signed, and another one on Zia Pueblo were Senate bills. They weren't House bills. But I had moved things forward on the House side, and it didn't matter to me that that it said “S” rather than “H” in front of the name of the bill. So as long as you don't really care about who gets the credit, you can get a lot done in the Congress.   Naviere Walkewicz  19:11 That is a powerful lesson. And somewhere in the back of my mind, I think there's a Contrails quote, and I can't remember all of it, but I remember the end of it is, “…if you don't care who gets the credit.”   Dr. Heather Wilson  19:11 Yeah, that was probably one of the short ones. Schofield's quote was — we all did pushups for those.   Naviere Walkewicz  19:30 Yes, I had a starting moment. I was about to get down…   Dr. Heather Wilson  19:35 … and start to sweat…   Naviere Walkewicz  19:37 … and take my punishment. That was wonderful, ma'am. I'm glad we actually went back and did that journey.   Dr. Heather Wilson  19:42 When I think about my service in the Congress, where I made the most difference, it was in committee work, and particularly on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where I served for a significant amount of time, including post-9/11. And I think that work, because the Intelligence Committee, most of it is in private, it's dealing with really hard, really important issues, and you don't bring your staff there. You have to do the work. And I think probably that's where I did some of my most important work as a member of Congress, was in Intelligence.   Naviere Walkewicz  20:18 Thank you for sharing that. Who are some other influencers, some key influencers in your life, that have maybe walked alongside you or helped you in these different roles that you've carried in your amazing career.   Dr. Heather Wilson  20:31 Oh, they're different people at different times, but certainly as a young person, my grandfather was very important to me. My grandfather had been one of the first flyers in the RAF in World War I, and then came to America in 1922 and flew in the Second World War for what became the Civil Air Patrol. So he did sub search off the Atlantic coast, and varied parts, around to bases, in New England. So, he was important to me as a child. My dad died when I was young. My dad also had been enlisted in the Air Force. He was a crew chief and also a pilot, commercial pilot, after he got out of the service. So I grew up around airplanes and my grandfather was very important to me, and there were other people along the way. When I was a cadet, there was a group commander, Lieutenant Colonel — it's funny, you still remember… anyone who remembers my middle initial, I know it's like, “Oh, this may not be good,” but Robert L. Rame, Lt. Col. Robert L. Rame was the 4th Group commander and my first Air Officer Commanding. General — sorry, Maj. William S. Reeder. He was an Army officer and had been a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Really, I was terrified of disappointing him. It's funny, I just got a Christmas card from him. Life's long, right?   Naviere Walkewicz  21:53 Wow. What connections. I'd like to kind of go back a little bit to your grandfather. You said he was really important to you in your life. Can you share maybe some of the ways he influenced you? Obviously, you're third-generation aviator in your family. Is that how you knew you're going to go into service?   Dr. Heather Wilson  22:08 Well, the Academy wasn't an option until I was a junior in high school, and so I knew I was going to college, but I didn't really think about where. And then they opened the Air Force Academy to women when I was a junior in high school. So, my grandfather had two sons, and he had five grandsons, and me. But he was pretty — I would say — the way he might say it is he was pretty sweet on me; he and I were very close. We used to play chess after school when I was in high school, and I remember once we just finished playing chess, and I was a senior in high school — so, my grandfather was an aviator; he was also a mechanic. He could use any tool, I mean, he was just amazing with his hands. And I had learned a new tool in school, and I took out a piece of graph paper and I drew a drew a curve, and I said, “Grandpa, do you think you could find the area under this curve?” And he said, “Well, I'd probably count up the squares and estimate from there on the graph paper.” And I then I showed him something new and it was called calculus, and it was the first time in my life that I realized I had a tool that my grandfather didn't have. He had a high school education and had gone into the RAF during the First World War, and he was a great mechanic and a really good man, but I realized that there were opportunities for me that maybe my grandfather never had.   Naviere Walkewicz  23:56 I actually got chill bumps when you shared that. Pretty powerful. Thank you so much. Can you talk about, throughout your career — you said if people remember your middle initial, and I'm sure that many on the military side would, because you're amazing… Have you learned from anyone maybe that is not a mentor of you, but someone that has kind of come under your wing? Can you share some leadership lessons that you've learned from those serving alongside and under you?   Dr. Heather Wilson  24:24 Oh my gosh, I learn stuff every day from the people whom I'm privileged to work with. And one of the things that I learned over time was, and as you get more senior, the most important thing you do as a senior leader is hire good people who know things that you don't know, because it's not possible to know everything you need to know to lead a large organization. So, you have to organize yourself well and then get great people and let them do their job. So, I learn things every day. I was interviewing somebody yesterday that we're trying to attract to come to the university who is on the communication side of things — marketing and communication and branding. And you know that creative, visual side of my brain, if you did a brain scan, it would be like a dark hole. That's not a strength of mine. And so those kinds of things are — you have to realize what your strengths are, and then to fill in the team and put together a team, which together can accomplish the mission.   Naviere Walkewicz  25:34 I'd say your grandfather is still kind of, you know, influencing that. It's almost like you're filling your toolbox with all those areas.   Dr. Heather Wilson  25:43 That's funny you use that word. I've told this story before, but my father was both a pilot and a mechanic, and he built an experimental aircraft in our house, and we lived on this, kind of the last house that they would plow to on the end of the road in the winter, right? So, in a very small town, and at that time, there were still traveling salesmen, and the Snap-on tools guy would come probably every six weeks or so, and he had this, like red truck with an accordion thing on the back that looked just like the toolbox in the corner of the garage, right? And we knew that when the Snap-on tools guy came, do not go out. I mean, it was like Christmas for my dad. Do not interfere when the Snap-on tools guy is there. And so he'd go out and lean against the truck, and we could see him laughing and stuff. And eventually my dad would reach in his pocket and pull out his billfold and give the guy a bill, and he'd go back, and he'd lift up the back of the accordion thing and reach in there and give my dad a tool. And my dad would — then the truck would back out, and go on to his next stop. But my dad would take that tool and we'd scramble into the garage to see what he got and stuff. And my dad would usually put that tool in the box in the corner and then go back to what he was doing that day, working on his car or whatever he was doing. And it occurred to me that my dad didn't need that tool that day, but he collected tools, and someday he'd need that tool. And I think great leaders collect tools even when they don't need them today, because they're going to be times when you bring everybody to — you know, there's that great scene in Apollo 13, but it happens around the staff and Cabinet table, and it'll happen in your planning room as a pilot where you've got a new problem, and everybody brings in their tools and says, “OK, how can we make a carbon monoxide filter, or carbon dioxide filter, out of what we've got here on the table?” So, collect tools. And I think that's one of the things I learned from my dad.     Naviere Walkewicz  28:00 Oh, that is an amazing story. Can you share maybe a tool that you've had in your toolbox, that you learned way back when, maybe at the Academy, or as a young girl, that you've recently pulled out and used?   Dr. Heather Wilson 28:12 Well, one of them — I'm not so sure it's recent, but when I was a small business owner, there was a group in New Mexico called Quality New Mexico, and they taught small business owners the Baldrige Principles for quality management. And then I ended up being the Cabinet secretary for child welfare in New Mexico. So, I took over a foster care system, which was under a federal consent decree for not getting kids forever homes and an overly crowded juvenile justice system. I mean, every intractable social problem was — I realized after a while why I became Cabinet secretary for child welfare, because nobody else wanted that job. I mean it was a really difficult job, but I had these tools on quality management. I thought, “I think we can apply these same principles to improving foster care, to improving the juvenile justice system.” And so we did, and there's some things I was proud of there, but one of my last acts as Cabinet secretary before I ended up leaving and running for Congress was to sign the end of the federal consent decree that had been in place for 18 years that said that the state was not getting foster kids forever homes. We changed the system, but we did it using those quality management principles, which I had learned as a small business owner almost as a lark. So, there's one example. But, you know, we just went through a global pandemic. It was very much a pickup game. Nobody had ever been through that. So, we all got together and figured out how we could use the tools we had, including the research capability on my campus to be able to sequence DNA so that we could do testing on campus and get the results, ultimately, within six hours and then feed that back so we could detect disease before someone was symptomatic, so you could suppress disease on campus for those who had to be on campus. There's some things you can't do remotely. And so, we had our own testing system on campus, which was remarkable. Well, why'd we have that? Because we had some tools in the box.   Naviere Walkewicz  30:37 Well, you've used those tools amazingly as you've navigated your career. How would you say that — because yours is… we talked about not being linear. It's kind of been multiple paths and…   Dr. Heather Wilson 30:50 Different chapters.   Naviere Walkewicz 30:51 Yes, I love that. Different chapters. How would you say that you've navigated leadership through that? And has there been a thread that's been common through all those different chapters that you've…   Dr. Heather Wilson  31:04 Yeah, we talked a little about integrity, and that certainly is there. But I when, when people say things like, you know, “Why are you at UTEP?” Or, “Why did you shift to higher ed?” Or, “Why did…” The mission matters so developing people matters. Defending the country matters. So, a mission that matters with people I like. And I realized that when you get down to it, you should do things that matter with people you like and if that's your filter, as long as you can put food on the table, there's a lot of different things you can do, but it should be something that matters with people you like. Otherwise, that time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. can seem forever unless you're doing something you like.   Naviere Walkewicz  31:49 That is a powerful thread. Mission matters with people you like. How has your family supported you through this?   Dr. Heather Wilson  31:56 I live a blessed life. I tell this to students, and probably, as a younger woman, I wouldn't have said these things because I was so focused on being taken seriously, I suppose. But, I lightened up after time and realized, OK, I'm probably too serious. But the most important decision I've made in my life is not to go to the Academy or to run for Congress or to become a college president — none of those things are the most important decision I've made in my life. The most important decision I made in my life was to marry the guy I married. I married a guy who's actually retired Air Force now, but he was a lawyer. Despite that, he's a nice guy and sometimes, I think, particularly for women, there's always that fear that you're going to sit down when you're in a getting into a serious relationship, and it's going to be one of those conversations that says, “OK, we're thinking about making this permanent. Who's going to give up her career?” And it's not really a conversation, or at least maybe it wasn't in my era, but Jay never had that conversation with me. It was always we could do more together than either of us could do alone, and he has been so supportive of me. And, yeah, vice versa. But I had to go back east for something last week, and I knew that even in this big reception that I was in with all these people, that he wasn't going to be there, and if he was, he'd still be the most interesting guy in the room. So, I married well, and my family always — we're a very close family. And I think while my obligations to my family didn't end at the front porch, my family gave richness and dimension to my life that I never really anticipated as a young woman, and it's given me joy. Success seemed possible to achieve; joy always seemed like a gift from God, and I have had joy because of my family.   Naviere Walkewicz  34:18 Thank you for sharing that. You talk about when you're hiring, you choose people that kind of fill gaps, but it sounds like, also on your personal team, you want to make sure that you're choosing it, you know...   Dr. Heather Wilson  34:30 Yeah, you're going to be roommates for a long time. That matters. And there's the things that you just kind of have to get over. You know, I'm not going to clean around his sink, and he's not going to be bothered about the fact that my closet's color coordinated. I mean, we just live with that, right?   Naviere Walkewicz  34:49 I appreciate that about you so much. You talked a minute ago about some things you learned about yourself as a leader. You know, “Not take myself too seriously.” Can you share a little bit more about that journey on your own, like that personal leadership journey that you've made?   Dr. Heather Wilson  35:07 Yeah, and I think it's easier as you go on. And honestly, very early on, I was very often the only woman in the room, and so I wanted to be taken seriously. I was also very often the youngest person in the room. And so those two things made me want to be taken seriously. As I went on and got more responsibility, I realized that the truth is I am a very serious and successful woman. My husband would say that I was raised in the home for the humor impaired, and that I've been in therapy with him for over 30 years. So, I gradually learned to see the humor in life. I still am not one that stands up and tells jokes or something, but I see the humor in life and I don't take myself too seriously. The person that I watched who used self-deprecating humor better than any leader I've ever seen was actually Dave Goldfein. Everyone knew when he walked into a room, or if he stood up on a stage at a town hall meeting with a bunch of airmen or something — everybody knew that they were gonna laugh. At some point in that meeting we're gonna laugh, and not at someone else's expense, but at his. And it made people relax around him. He was very, very good at it. But I also knew that his self-deprecating humor was really a cover for exceptional competence, and I never underestimated that, but it made people relax and brought a little bit of joy to whatever intractable problem we were looking at.   Naviere Walkewicz  36:51 Well, you shared about sometimes when you're coming up through your leadership, you were often the only woman in the room and sometimes the youngest in the room. What would you like to share on your thoughts of what has that impact been, and what do you see as your legacy?   Dr. Heather Wilson  37:07 Well, there were some times, particularly early on, when women flying or women in positions of command was new, where you just had to do the job and realize that you were probably changing attitudes as you went and that it would be easier for those who came after you, and that's OK. I don't see that as much anymore. Although, when I was elected to Congress, I think probably 10% to 15% of the House was women. Now it's more than that, and once it gets to be more than 30% in any room, it doesn't sound — it's almost like you walk into a restaurant where it's all guys or all women, and you notice the difference in the room, the tones of the voices and things. Once you get to about a third, it feels like it's comfortable, but early on, I always was very conscious of it and conscious of the obligation to do well, because I was being judged not only for myself, but for an entire group of people. And so, I was sensitive to that, and wanted to make sure that I didn't, like — “Don't shame the family,” right? So make sure that you keep the doors open. As far as legacy is concerned, and I think back in my time as Air Force secretary, I would say there's two things that I hope linger, and they have so far. One is a change to the promotion system to make sure that we have the right kind of talent to choose from at all levels in the organization, and so that, I think, has continued to persist. And the other one that will be changed over time and has to be changed over time, had to do with the science and technology strategy of the Air Force and the need to stay ahead of adversaries. I think this is a completely separate conversation, but I actually think that that we are at greater risk of scientific and technical surprise today than at any time since the end of the Second World War. And if you go back and read books about engineers of victory, or there's a whole lot of books about how science and technology was brought to bear in prevailing in the Second World War. I think we're at risk now in a way that we've kind of become complacent about. So, science and technology strategy is something that I hope is a legacy.   Naviere Walkewicz  39:36 That's amazing, ma'am. And I think not only for our military, but you're able to influence that in the spaces that you are now.   Dr. Heather Wilson  39:43 Yeah, engaging the next generation, which is a heck of a lot of fun. You know, the University of Texas at El Paso is a wonderful institution — 25,000 students, half of them are the first in their families to go to college. About 70% or so come from families making less than about $45,000 a year. So, this is a university that transforms lives, and it's a university that — of my 25,000 students, over 5,000 are studying engineering. Another couple thousand are studying science, College of Nursing, College of Education. This has a tremendous impact on the region and on the lives of those who choose to educate themselves. And so it's a wonderful mission to be part of, and I think it's important for the nation. I think regions of the world who choose to educate their people in the 21st century will thrive, and those that don't are going to be left behind, and that's why I do what I do.   Naviere Walkewicz  40:44 Well, it clearly aligns with your foundation and your mission, ma'am, and I think that's outstanding. We're going to ask for Dr. Wilson's final thoughts next, but before we do, I'd like to take a moment and thank you for listening to Long Blue Leadership. The podcast publishes Tuesdays in both video and audio and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms. Be sure to watch, listen and subscribe to all episodes of Long Blue Leadership at longblueleadership.org. So, Dr. Wilson, I would love to take a moment to gather some of your final thoughts, what you'd like to share today.   Dr. Heather Wilson  41:21 Well, assuming that most of the folks who listen to this are either cadets or young officers or grads, I leave them with one thought, and that is, don't shame the family. Don't shame the family. People will look up to you because you are an Air Force Academy graduate, or you are an Air Force cadet. The standard is higher, so live up to the standard.   Naviere Walkewicz  41:50 Ma'am, we started with you being direct. You ended direct. I think that is amazing. Thank you very much. Thanks for being on Long Blue Leadership.   Dr. Heather Wilson  41:58 My pleasure.     KEYWORDS leadership, Air Force Academy, integrity, mentorship, quality management, Dr. Heather Wilson, military service, personal growth, career journey, unexpected opportunities, leadership, integrity, family support, women in leadership, public service, legacy, mission-driven, personal growth, collaboration, Congress     The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation    

Independence Blue Cross in Pennsylvania started limiting coverage for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Diesel fuel from an overturned fuel truck on a road near Pittsburgh is causing oil slicks in the Allegheny River downstream of the spill. The Delaware River has been voted 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year. Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA tells us about a debate over how some counties are using money from settlements with drug companies meant to address the opioid overdose crisis.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Melissa Smallwood shares her profound journey through the foster care system, her experiences as a young mother, and the resilience she developed along the way. From her abrupt entry into foster care to the nurturing relationships that helped her thrive, Melissa emphasizes the importance of hope, support, and the impact of positive influences in the lives of children affected by trauma. Her story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the role of caring adults in fostering growth and healing. In this conversation, Melissa shares her transformative journey from engaging in high-risk behavior to becoming a dedicated advocate for young mothers and foster care. She emphasizes the importance of support systems, the impact of trauma, and the need for commitment in foster care relationships. Melissa reflects on her own experiences in foster care, the role of community support, and the significance of self-reflection for effective parenting. Her story highlights the power of resilience, education, and the importance of creating safe spaces for children in care.Checkout: Melissa's coaching services for foster and adoptive families (Mending Hearts Coaching)

Show Notes:Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about drug use, abuse, and neglect. Please proceed with care.Two years after his first appearance on the podcast, Joe returns to share the incredible and often painful journey of adopting his niece and nephew. In this raw and honest conversation, he details the struggles of navigating a deeply flawed foster care system, the emotional toll of parenting children with trauma, and the ongoing challenges of healing as a family.From dealing with corrupt social workers to searching for the children's fugitive parents, Joe takes us inside the reality of stepping up when no one else would. Now, with the adoption finalized, he and his wife continue to work through behavioral struggles, the lack of mental health resources, and the weight of carrying a story that is far from over.Despite everything, they remain committed to giving these kids a future filled with safety, stability, and love.

On this week's episode, Abecedarian Group President Celia Sims joins us to discuss child welfare and education policy, and the intersection of the two. Sims, who spent most of her career on Capitol Hill, reflects on a recent op-ed she wrote for The Imprint and shares thoughts on the practicability of President Trump's proposal to shutter the Department of Education. Celia Sims is the founder of the Abecedarian Group, and serves as a volunteer court appointed special advocate. Sims has served as an advisor on education and child welfare policy for former Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and was vice president of government relations for KinderCare Education.Reading RoomCommon Ground Is The OnlyPolitical Path for Child Welfarehttps://imprintnews.org/opinion/common-ground-only-political-path-child-welfare/256030The Imprint's extensivecoverage on educational stability for youth in foster carehttps://imprintnews.org/tag/essaNew Report HighlightsOngoing Challenges for NYC Students in Foster Carehttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/new-report-highlights-ongoing-challenges-for-nyc-students-in-foster-care/237967

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Brian, Travis, and Courtney discuss the challenges faced by foster parents, particularly the high attrition rates. They explore the emotional and systemic impacts of foster parent quitting on child welfare and the children in care. The conversation delves into the reasons behind these challenges, the importance of mentorship, and the need for support systems to help foster families navigate their difficult journeys. They also discuss the challenges faced by foster parents, including feeling unheard and unsupported within the system. They emphasize the importance of community support and systemic changes to improve the foster care experience. The discussion also highlights the need for retention of foster families over recruitment, advocating for a more supportive environment. Practical advice is offered for both foster families and those who care about the issue, stressing the importance of asking for help and reassessing one's situation.

In this episode of One in Ten, host Teresa Huizar speaks with Dr. Meg Sullivan, former Acting Assistant Secretary for the Administration of Children and Families, about the efforts and policies of the Biden administration in child welfare. The discussion explores challenges like preventing child abuse, the effectiveness of foster care placements, and strategies for addressing family neglect without primarily associating it with poverty. Dr. Sullivan highlights significant achievements, ongoing challenges, and promising practices like the Family First Prevention Act, which emphasizes preventative measures to keep families together. The conversation also touches on innovative programs that provide direct financial assistance to families and youth at risk of homelessness. Additionally, there is a focus on the work being done to address human trafficking, emphasizing the need for continuous investment and collaboration to tackle these critical issues. Time Stamps:  00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode 01:21 Meet Dr. Meg Sullivan 01:25 Dr. Sullivan's Career Journey 03:38 Challenges in Child Welfare 05:49 Policy Changes and Their Impact 06:46 Family First Prevention Act 08:31 Addressing Neglect and Poverty 12:52 Promising Practices and Innovations 22:59 Human Trafficking Prevention 27:45 Unfinished Business and Future Hopes 35:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links: Dr. Meg Sullivan, MD, MPH, is a former Acting Assistant Secretary for the Administration of Children and FamiliesFamily First Prevention Services ActTemporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Work RequirementsSupport the showDid you like this episode? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, our hosts Brian Mavis and Courtney Williams interview Jenni Lord, founder of the nonprofit CHOSEN. Jenny shares her personal journey into the child welfare space, highlighting the importance of understanding trauma in foster care and adoption. She discusses the evolution of CHOSEN, its mission to support families, and the critical role of parental self-regulation in the healing process. The conversation emphasizes the complexities of child removal and the need for ongoing education and support for families navigating these challenges. In this conversation, Jenni also discusses the evolving language around adoption and foster care, emphasizing the importance of understanding the grief children experience when separated from their families. She highlights the need for trauma education for parents and the significance of connection in the healing process. Jenni shares insights into the services provided by CHOSEN, including telehealth support and individualized action plans for families. The conversation also features transformative stories of families who have benefited from these services, underscoring the universal need for connection in fostering healthy relationships.Learn more about the services and resources offered at Chosen.  Thank you for listening to this episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast.Learn more about being a foster or adoptive parent or supporting those who are in your community.Meet kids awaiting adoption. Join us in helping kids in foster care by donating $18 a month and change the lives of foster kids before they age out.Visit AmericasKidsBelong.org and click the donate button to help us change the outcomes of kids in foster care.

Jelena Dokic on the trauma and violence which underscored her extraordinary life in tennis, and how she worked to change her own story(CW: discussion of family violence, eating disorders) (R)After arriving in Australia with her family as a refugee, Jelena Dokic became a tennis champion while still a teenager.But her father's drunken outbursts at Jelena's tournaments got even more headlines than her playing.What the world didn't know was that Jelena's father was also violently assaulting her and had been since the day she first picked up a tennis racquet.Jelena finally found the courage to tell the truth about what happened to her, but she discovered that was only the first step in escaping her father.This episode of Conversations explores family dynamics, origin story, body shaming, dysfunctional families, abuse allegations, childhood abuse, child athletes, elite athletes, the Australian Open, Tennis, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Shelton, Alex de Minaur, Madison Keys, Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka.