Podcasts about family services

The future of family support requires us to look far beyondtraditional numbers and system practices. In the conclusion of this special two-part feature, our national human services panel returns to explore how the evolving definition of modern families is reshaping everything from "parentage" to programmatic success. Join Tammy Pearson (YoungWilliams) and Tim Lightner (Courtland Consulting) as they dive into a critical discussion on why we must move past outdated federal performance measures—embracing the philosophy that "what we measure determines what we build"—and explore the urgent need for comprehensive technologymodernization across child support, Medicaid, and child welfare systems. Coming to you from Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin, Wyoming, North Carolina and Alaska, welcome back to Reggie Bicha (President/CEO American Public Human Services Association – better known as APHSA), Erin Frisch (Senior Deputy Director, Economic Stability Administration with the State of Michigan), Connie Chesnik (Administrator, Division of Family and Economic Security at WisconsinDepartment of Children and Families) and Kristie Gordy (Social Services Administrator for the Wyoming Department of Family Services) as they continue the conversation.  Home - APHSA

The Title IV-D child support program was built in 1975 to recover welfare expenses, but the modern landscape demands a radical shift from enforcement to empowerment. In part one of this two-part feature, national human services leaders come together to map out the next generation of family support. Discover how modern agencies are breaking down traditional silos to connect families with comprehensive services that build true economic self- sufficiency. We are pleased to have on today's podcast Reggie Bicha (President/CEO American Public Human Services Association – better known as APHSA), Erin Frisch (Senior Deputy Director, Economic Stability Administrationwith the State of Michigan), Connie Chesnik (Administrator, Division of Family and Economic Security at Wisconsin Department of Children and Families) and Kristie Gordy (Social Services Administrator for the Wyoming Dept of Family Services).And don't forget to listen next week for Part 2 of The Next 50 Years: The Importance of Lifting Families Up.Home - APHSA

The State's sentencing memorandum in the Kouri Richins case documented a pattern of conduct from inside the Summit County Jail that prosecutors argued demonstrated irredeemable character — the legal threshold supporting the maximum sentence.The memo details what prosecutors describe as a coordinated campaign against every individual connected to the prosecution. Among the documented actions: the creation of a fraudulent dating profile targeting the lead detective, filed reports to the Division of Child and Family Services against the family providing care for her children — which prosecutors characterize as meritless, retained legal counsel to pursue criminal charges against her sister-in-law, initiated federal firearms proceedings against Eric Richins' father for removing his deceased son's firearms from the residence, filed a marijuana-related report concerning Eric's sister, and submitted bar complaints against the prosecuting attorneys — all found to lack substantive basis. The memo also flagged insurance policies on her children's lives.Judge Richard Mrazik imposed life without parole on what would have been the victim's forty-fourth birthday, following a five-hour sentencing proceeding. The court heard impact testimony from three minor children, delivered through their therapists, describing confinement, neglect, and a household where siblings assumed caretaker roles. The defendant's courtroom demeanor during those readings — visible scoffing and eye-rolling — was documented on camera.The defendant's forty-minute allocution made no reference to the children's testimony. She characterized their descriptions as "an absolute lie," directed them to emulate the man she was convicted of killing, and instructed them to distrust their current caregivers. Post-conviction communications obtained by the State included a message to an individual described as an "admirer" in which the defendant stated: "They haven't seen anything yet."The proceeding concluded with a statement from her nine-year-old son: "Once she is gone, I will feel happy."Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#KouriRichins #EricRichins #RichinsSentencing #SentencingMemo #LifeWithoutParole #DARVO #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #ParkCityUtah #JusticeForEric

Earlier this week, we began part one of a discussion on The Essential Role of Advocacy and why it's not a sideline project, but in fact, core to our purpose for families. Today, we invite you to join us for part two. Our host, Caley George, is once again joined by Encompass Executive Director Nela Cumming, along with Akin President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Newell, and Birth to Three Executive Director Maryanne Barnes. These powerhouse leaders from Washington nonprofits share their challenges, the necessity of collaboration, and the power of voice and relationships to drive systemic change.

Rev. Jonathan Brown 05/11/2026 Sometimes the things that become central to who we are begin as a surprise. They do not always arrive with a clear plan, a perfect explanation, or a sense that we understand exactly what we are saying yes to. Sometimes a door opens, an invitation comes, a possibility appears, and only later do we realize that something important in us began to take shape there. When Francis came to us at eleven, he spoke very little English. I spoke no Spanish. Katy knew a bit. And DC Child and Family Services seemed to consider a person bilingual if they had Google Translate on their phone. Every day, I thank God because his young mind has been able to adapt to our language, while I still find myself cursing Duolingo. And since Francis became part of our family, he has also become an accomplished cyclist. He has won two Under 19 series championships, and he spends his free time training to get better. At our local bike shop, someone told us he was a unicorn because he fell in love with cycling even though his parents were not already obsessed with it. This was not a family culture he simply inherited. It became his. One day after a race, I was kind of in awe of him and all he had accomplished, and I asked him, “Francis, how did this happen? How did cycling become your thing?” And he said, “Do you remember when I first moved in with you, and you asked if I wanted a bike?” I said, “Yes.” And he said, “I did not know what you were saying, and I did not want to be rude, so I just said yes. Then I fell in love with it.” I love that. Because so much of life is like that. One day, seemingly out of the blue, something comes into our lives that we did not plan for and could not have predicted. At first, it may feel random. It may feel small. It may feel like a simple yes to a simple question. But over time, that unexpected beginning can become a practice, then a passion, then a major part of who we are. A bike becomes more than a bike. A first ride becomes a rhythm. A rhythm becomes a love. A love becomes part of someone's identity. And that helps me hear Mark's story with fresh ears. Simon and Andrew do not wake up that morning knowing they are about to become disciples. James and John do not begin the day expecting their lives to turn in a new direction. They are working. They are casting nets. They are mending nets. They are living the life they know. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Jesus walks by and says, “Follow me.” What may have felt sudden in the moment becomes the beginning of their identity. They will come to be known as disciples, apostles, witnesses, people whose lives are forever shaped by Jesus. One ordinary day becomes the day they discover the call that will define them. In this first movement of our series, we are asking one of the most basic and important questions Christians can ask: Who are we? In a culture that often tells us our worth depends on success, power, control, or fear, the gospel speaks a deeper truth. We are beloved. We are called. We are connected. We are sent. And today, we begin with this: we know who we are because we know who we follow. We follow Jesus. Mark tells the story with striking simplicity. Jesus passes along the Sea of Galilee and sees Simon and Andrew casting a net into the sea, because they are fishers. Jesus says to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately, they leave their nets and follow him. Then Jesus goes a little farther and sees James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending nets in their boat. He calls them too, and they leave their father in the boat with the hired men and follow him. That whole scene unfolds with surprising simplicity. Jesus walks along the water and sees ordinary people in the middle of their ordinary work. The call of Jesus meets them right there, in the texture of daily life, among boats, nets, family, labor, and responsibility. Before they have time to prepare themselves, before they know where the road will lead, Jesus invites them into a new life. He finds them in the routines they know and calls them toward a future they cannot yet imagine. That is good news, because many of us assume that if God is going to call us, we need to be somewhere else first. We need to become more faithful, more prepared, more certain, more spiritually mature. But Mark tells us Jesus calls people in the middle of life. Jesus calls them as they are, but he does not leave them as they are. “Follow me,” he says, “and I will make you fishers of people.” That phrase can sound strange to us, especially when it has been used in ways that feel manipulative or aggressive. But Jesus is calling them into a way of life that gathers people into the nearness of God. He is calling them to participate in healing, mercy, liberation, forgiveness, and beloved community. Jesus calls these first disciples to walk with him until his way becomes their way. That is discipleship. Discipleship is the lifelong practice of being shaped by the one we follow. That is why this sermon title matters: “We Know Who We Follow: Jesus.” The church is always tempted to forget. We are tempted to follow success, fear, nostalgia, outrage, or whatever gives us belonging without transformation. But Christians belong to Jesus Christ. And Jesus shows us who God is. As we follow Jesus through Mark, we see what God's life looks like in the world. We see Jesus announcing good news, healing bodies, restoring people to community, touching those others refuse to touch, feeding hungry people, welcoming children, challenging religious hypocrisy, confronting oppressive powers, and refusing to abandon the vulnerable. We see him going to the cross rather than returning violence for violence. We see him raised by God, with the promise that death and empire and abandonment do not get the final word. So when we say, “We follow Jesus,” we are saying our lives are being reoriented around the crucified and risen Christ. We are saying that the clearest picture we have of God's character is Jesus eating with sinners, touching the untouchable, forgiving enemies, blessing the poor, challenging the powerful, and giving himself in love. That is not ideology. That is a way of life. This is where our United Methodist tradition helps us. Methodism began as a renewal movement of people who wanted to follow Jesus with their whole lives. Early Methodists gathered in societies, classes, and bands. They prayed together. They confessed sin together. They studied scripture together. They gave money to the poor. They visited the sick and imprisoned. They held one another accountable in love. As the movement grew, John Wesley gave the people called Methodists what became known as the General Rules: first, do no harm; second, do good; third, attend upon all the ordinances of God. In more recent years, Bishop Rueben P. Job helped many United Methodists recover the power of these rules in his book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living . Job summarized Wesley's General Rules in language that has become familiar across our tradition: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. These rules are a way of asking, every day, “What does it mean to follow Jesus here?” What does it mean to follow Jesus in this conversation, this conflict, this family, this workplace, this church, this neighborhood, this moment? There is a sitcom called The Good Place that, beneath all the jokes, bright colors, frozen yogurt shops, and absurd afterlife architecture, is really about moral formation. The show begins with Eleanor Shellstrop waking up after death and being told that she has made it into “the Good Place.” But Eleanor quickly realizes she does not belong there. In life, she had been selfish, rude, careless, and often cruel. So at first, her moral project is not really about becoming good. It is about passing as good. That is part of what makes the show so funny and so honest. Eleanor wants to learn enough ethics to blend in. She wants goodness as a disguise. And if we are honest, that is not always far from how people can treat religion too. We can learn the language, the gestures, and the right answers. We can learn how to pass as good. But Jesus does not call us to pass as faithful. Jesus calls us to follow. And this is where Chidi becomes so important. Chidi Anagonye is a moral philosophy professor. He knows the ethical theories. He can explain Kant, Aristotle, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and moral duty. If anyone should know how to be good, it should be Chidi. But Chidi's problem is that knowing about goodness does not automatically make him free to live it. He is so afraid of making the wrong choice that he struggles to make any choice at all. His knowledge is real, but it has not yet become courage. His ethics are serious, but they have not yet become love in motion. That makes Eleanor and Chidi surprisingly helpful for the church. Eleanor reminds us that faith is not about passing as good. Chidi reminds us that faith is not only about knowing what is good. Knowledge matters, but knowledge alone is not discipleship. Discipleship is when what we know becomes a life. Discipleship is when truth becomes practice. Discipleship is when grace becomes courage, mercy, forgiveness, service, and love. Over time, Eleanor and Chidi both change because they are drawn into a deeper kind of formation. Eleanor has to practice honesty, compassion, and care for someone beyond herself. Chidi has to practice trust, courage, and choosing love even when he cannot calculate every possible consequence. In other words, both of them have to be discipled beyond appearance and beyond certainty into faithfulness. That is what makes The Good Place surprisingly Wesleyan. The characters become different not because they master one idea or earn enough points, but because they keep practicing a better way of being human. Christian faith is not self improvement with hymns. The gospel is grace. It is God meeting us before we are ready, loving us before we are worthy, and calling us before we fully understand where the road will lead. But grace does not leave us unchanged. Grace begins to form us. That is why the Methodist tradition has always cared about practices. We practice faith because practice keeps us open to the love that is already working on us. We practice doing no harm. We practice doing good. We practice staying in love with God. And over time, through the mercy of God, those practices begin to shape us into people who look a little more like the one we follow. The first rule is: do no harm. Harm is not only physical violence. Harm can come through words, neglect, silence, systems, assumptions, jokes, posts, grudges, and the people we refuse to see. To follow Jesus is to ask: Is my life causing harm? Are my words causing harm? Are my habits causing harm? Are my comforts causing harm? Most of us are not being asked to leave literal nets on the shore, but we may need to ask what nets we are holding. What old ways of being keep catching us? What habits make us feel safe but keep us from love? The second rule is: do good. Christian faith is about participating in God's healing of the world. “Follow me,” Jesus says, “and I will make you fishers of people.” In other words, your life is going to become part of God's work of gathering, healing, feeding, forgiving, restoring, and liberating. Sometimes doing good is serving someone who cannot repay you. Sometimes it is telling the truth when silence would be easier. Sometimes it is forgiving someone, apologizing, showing up, or acting with courage at work or at home. The third rule is: stay in love with God. Wesley's original language was “attend upon all the ordinances of God,” meaning the practices that keep us open to grace: public worship, prayer, searching the scriptures, receiving communion, fasting, Christian conversation, and works of mercy. In other words, stay close to the practices that remind you who you are and whose you are. Because we cannot follow Jesus for long on outrage, willpower, or guilt alone. We need grace. We need prayer. We need worship. We need scripture. We need communion. We need community. We need people who help us remember when we forget. And we do forget. The disciples forgot. Peter left his nets immediately, but later denied Jesus three times. James and John followed Jesus, but later argued about greatness. They followed, but they stumbled. They were called, but they were not instantly complete. And that should comfort us. Following Jesus does not mean we never fail. It means that when we fail, grace calls us again. This matters because the world is full of rival formations. Every day, something is trying to disciple us. Fear disciples us. Consumerism disciples us. Nationalism disciples us. Algorithms disciple us. Anger disciples us. Anxiety disciples us. The endless need to prove ourselves disciples us. The endless need to belong by having an enemy disciples us. So the question is not whether we are being formed. The question is: Who is forming us? So when we talk about discipleship, we are talking about formation. We are talking about what shapes our loves, habits, reflexes, speech, courage, compassion, and imagination. The world is constantly discipling us into anxiety, resentment, consumption, suspicion, and fear. But Jesus calls us into another formation. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and then teaches us the way of mercy, justice, courage, humility, forgiveness, and love. And when Jesus says, “Follow me,” he is giving us both a command and a promise. “Follow me, and I will make you…” The making belongs to Jesus. The transformation belongs to grace. Jesus calls us as we are, and then grace begins its work. Grace teaches us to do no harm. Grace strengthens us to do good. Grace draws us deeper into love with God. Grace makes us into people who can bear witness to another way of life. So this week, choose one small way to follow Jesus intentionally. Serve someone. Forgive someone. Act with courage in your work or home. Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. Not because these practices save us by our own effort, but because they open our lives to the grace that is already calling us. Because somewhere, even now, Jesus is walking along the shoreline of our ordinary lives. He sees us. He knows us. He calls us. And his invitation is still the same: “Follow me.” May we have the grace to leave behind what binds us. May we have the courage to walk in his way. May we have the humility to be made new. And may our lives become a clear witness to the truth we proclaim: we know who we follow. We follow Jesus. Amen.

We're joined by Dr. Mark Williams, superintendent of catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux talks about the end of the school year. David Dawson Jr., Catholic husband and father, talks about why it's difficult to be grateful for God giving us our basic needs. Angela Ponivas, division director of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will be speaking about the Therapeutic Family Services Program.

This week I am talking to the medium Traci Bray. Bio Traci Bray was born and raised in Clinton, Iowa.  She was 5 years old when the first known deceased person appeared to her. Although recognition of life beyond a physical existence was real for Traci, it wasn't until the mid-1990's that she began offering public readings at the urging of friends. Via word-of-mouth, accolades of her skills widened. Her clientele has expanded across the US, and to all continents save the poles! Traci's professional background and enhanced communications skills lend themselves to her readings. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Family Services and a Master's in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. For over two decades prior to reading publicly she assisted individuals, families and systems toward change for improvement in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, corrections and public transportation. She served as a curriculum writer and trainer for two state-level law enforcement agencies in the Midwest. It is a natural that in addition to families, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have requested and received her confidential input. In late 2022, Traci published an oracle card deck, "The Soul Lives On - Life-Affirming Channeled Messages from Spirit", and an accompanying Journaling Workbook, both with Stacy A. Macy, JD. More recently, a number of thoughts and quotes of Traci's appear in Dr. Julie Beischel's oracle card deck, "Guidance for Grief: Wisdom to Help You Stay Connected to Your Loved One After Loss", and her book From the Mouths of Mediums, which provides interviews with other Windbridge Certified Research Mediums which Beischel directs. In 2000, Traci was filmed by the BBC for a documentary, produced by Justine Picardie, on mediums. That experience later materializes in Picardie's book, If the Spirit Moves You: Love and Life Beyond Death. Additionally she appears in the book Truth About Medium, by Dr. Gary Schwartz, former Director of the University of Arizona's coveted VERITAS program, where she served as a “Research Medium”. Other research mediums with VERITAS have included John Edward, George Anderson and Allison DuBois, the latter on whom the NBC series "Medium" is based. Windbridge Certified Research Mediums include Laura Lynne Jackson, Debra Martin and Kim Russo.  Key media pieces include:    Kansas City NBC affiliate KSHB produced a feature story on Traci's work;    Quoted in CNN online article    Contributor to Dr. Julie Beischel's (Director of Research, Windbridge) award winning essay for the (Robert) Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies    Contributor to e.books published by Windbridge including  Among Mediums: a Scientists Quest for Answers    Presenter, The Compassionate Friends regional conference    Presenter, The Vail Symposium  (see photo at left of Traci, Dr. Julie Beischel, and Eliza Rey, another WCRM    Guest on "Kansas City Live"    Feature article in the "Kansas City Star"      Numerous articles about her work have materialized in a number of newspapers and magazines across the Midwest including the "Kearney Press," "Kansas City Wellness," and "Evolving." Today Traci is a Level #5 Certified Research Medium with The Windbridge Research Center (see http://windbridge.org) in Tucson, AZ. Previously she served as a Certified Medium with the Forever Family Foundation in New York.   Traci is a relaxed, dynamic, and engaging public speaker and reader. She can be hilarious! A passion for writing finds her working on several projects from her home which is on the National Historic Register in Kansas City, Missouri. Traci's readings come from Spirit in the 'spirit-of' personal enlightenment.  To some recipients, they also provide entertainment and certainly, enjoyment.  Every beneficiary of a reading has free will to choose as they see fit for their own life.  Individuals are responsible for their interpretation of the reading as well as how or if they incorporate it into their own life via thought, word and deed. https://tracibray.com/ https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host: Sharon HurdGuest:1-1:30PM: Atreyee Munshi, Mental Health Therapist & Intake Clinician, andSara Heembrock, Mental Health Counsellor – both with Intersect Youth & Family Services, share information about an Intersect initiative markingBear Witness Day honoring Jordan River Anderson to ensure First Nations children receive essential services without delay, a legal obligation now known as Jordan's Principle. CONTACT INFO: 250-562-6639 orwww.intersect.bc.ca 1:30-2PM: Josee Kubbernus,Recreation Therapy Practitioner, Owner & Operator, Quality Time Wellness-Dementia Friendly Adult Day Program andJessica Brown, Community Sales Manager, Prince George Chateau-Atria Retirement Canada, provide information about their services. CONTACT INFO:Quality Time Wellness: 250-617-5909 or www.qualityTimeWellness.ca and Prince George Chateau: 250-564-0202 or www.atriaretirement.ca

We've all heard the buzzwords: AI, automation, and hybrid.But behind the tech are the people who will actually drive our world forward.Join us for Untangled from All Sides as we look past the headlines to ask: Are we actually ready for the workers of tomorrow?From the classroom to the boardroom, we're mapping out the skills, the shifts and the mindset needed to thrive in a world that hasn't even been built yet.Is there such a thing as a 'future-proof' workforce? We're talking about how we prepare today's students for jobs that don't exist yet and how we ensure no one gets left behind.Guests:Scot McLemore, vice president for talent strategy, Columbus State Community CollegeLisa Gray, president, Ohio ExcelsMatt Damschroder, director, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

We've all heard the buzzwords: AI, automation, and hybrid.But behind the tech are the people who will actually drive our world forward.Join us for Untangled from All Sides as we look past the headlines to ask: Are we actually ready for the workers of tomorrow?From the classroom to the boardroom, we're mapping out the skills, the shifts and the mindset needed to thrive in a world that hasn't even been built yet.Is there such a thing as a 'future-proof' workforce? We're talking about how we prepare today's students for jobs that don't exist yet and how we ensure no one gets left behind.Guests:Scot McLemore, vice president for talent strategy, Columbus State Community CollegeLisa Gray, president, Ohio ExcelsMatt Damschroder, director, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

The parents of former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy have filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana State Police, alleging officers falsely implicated Lacy in a December 2024 fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 20. After the accident, Lacy's draft stock plummeted, and months later, he took his own life. Mel Bridges has been reporting this story for WWNO and WRKF. She joins us today with the latest. Louisiana lawmakers are considering drastic changes to the state Department of Children and Family Services, including dismantling the department and moving its tasks to other state agencies. This follows years of criticism that DCFS has not properly followed up on cases that could have prevented child deaths. Greg LaRose, editor of the Louisiana Illuminator, tells us more about these potential changes. Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback, otherwise known as PBS Pinchback, served as the 24th governor of Louisiana in 1872 and is commonly referred to as the first Black governor in the United States.  While his tenure as governor of Louisiana was brief — a mere 35 days — he remains one of the most prominent Black officeholders during the Reconstruction era. Nicholas Patler, author of the new book, “Pinchback: America's First Black Governor,” joins us for more on his life and legacy.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

On today's Daily Detroit, we unpack Detroit's new $3 billion city budget that was just approved and what it actually means for people who live, work, and play in the city. I'm joined by Civic Life reporter Briana Rice from Outlier Media and public finance expert Steve Watson of Watson & Yates to walk through where the money's going, what got reshuffled, and what that means on your block. We get into why the overall budget, approved in April of 2026, actually shrank by about $30 million this year, even as Detroit's population ticks up. Mayor Mary Sheffield and council still managed to pass a balanced plan. It includes $30 million more for DDOT to boost bus driver pay and maintenance, the creation of a new Housing, Homeless and Family Services department, and continued investment in community violence intervention. We also talk about the big questions underneath the line items: Only 14% of rentals are code compliant. Or the fact that nearly one in every three city dollars goes to policem but less than 1 in 4 live in the city of Detroit. And, the Land Bank has moved from mass demolition to figuring out what to do with thousands of remaining lots. Plus, how growing the city's population might help with making the budget have a little more room.  As always, feedback is at dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211. You can follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download podcasts.

In Illinois, the fight over legislation like House Bill 4966 — which aims to expand the Department of Children and Family Services and restrict counseling for youth with gender confusion — is fierce. Why does it matter? Because these laws impact vulnerable kids caught in broken systems. Here’s the thing: Bills like these expose the political tug-of-war over morality, safety, and parental rights. And with the Supreme Court’s recent decisions, the landscape for these debates is shifting even more.… Continue Reading

Teresa Stivers, CEO and Sales Manager of Walden Family Services, and Haley, former Walden Family Services foster youth, discuss breaking the foster care‑to‑homeless pipeline through housing, education and life‑skills programs. They dive into leadership, corporate social responsibility, and strategic philanthropy for executives who want to drive measurable community impact and support youth independence. ListenWhere You Live!About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union  A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

In the late 1990s, psychologist Dr. Joseph Gone, a professor and member of the Aaniiih Gros Ventre tribe, returned home during his doctoral training to the Fort Belknap Reservation in north central Montana. There, he set aside Eurocentric concepts of psychology he was learning in school and instead asked tribal members how mental illness is addressed using traditional Indigenous practices. What he learned changed the trajectory of his career. Listen to find out how he helped bring precolonial cultural and spiritual practices into substance use disorder treatment in contemporary Indigenous settings. This show first aired in July 2024. Featuring: Dr. Joseph Gone, psychologist and interdisciplinary social scientist at Harvard University and member of the Aaniiih-Gros Ventre Tribal Nation of Montana Credits: Making Contact: Episode Host: Amy Gastelum Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Amy Gastelum, and Lucy Kang Executive Director: Jina Chung Editor: Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong Engineer: Jeff Emtman  Digital Media Marketing: Lissa Deonarain Music credits: Songs: The Horses are Coming, The Gift, Song of Honor Album: The Return of the Buffalo Horses Artists: Darrell Norman and Ramon Kramer https://www.blackfeetculturecamp.com/d-norman/ Learn More: Dr. Joseph Gone  American Indian Health and Family Services, Detroit, MI Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.

We spend some time with State Senator Jay Luneau about his frustrations with the Department of Children and Family Services and what needs to happen to protect Louisiana's kids.

* We'll spend some time with State Senator Jay Luneau about his frustrations with the Department of Children and Family Services and what needs to happen to protect Louisiana's kids. * We'll get the latest on oil and gas prices and what we're paying at the pump with Patrick De Haan, the chief petroleum analyst for Gas Buddy.

Putnam County is growing fast—but agriculture, education, and community roots are still at the heart of it all. Ben Rodgers sits down with Michelle Parrott, Director of the Putnam County UT Extension Office, to talk about how the county has evolved over the past 20 years and how Extension continues to serve both rural and increasingly urban communities. Michelle highlights programs ranging from lawn and garden help to youth development through 4-H, including camps, judging teams, and archery. She also explains how residents can take advantage of Extension services—from canning resources to horticulture advice—and why staying connected with the community is at the center of their mission. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! News Talk 94.1

“Every baby made in the image of God irritates the devil” This podcast features Elaine Demoulos and Angela from Alliance Family Services discussing their pro-life work, the importance of holistic care, and how community support can make a difference in saving lives. … Continue Reading

From childhood vaccine recommendation changes to a new food pyramid; guidelines and directives coming out at the federal level are enough to make your head spin. Dr. Greg talks with Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, about the politicization of public health and what reliable sources you should consult for your own health and well-being.

Blake is the President/CEO Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Mark Redmond, executive director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services, joins Anthony & Dan to talk about the up coming "Spectrum Sleep Out"

Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and partner organizations discussing all aspects of interpersonal violence, plus solutions. On this episode of Unscripted, host Kendra Lee discusses whether people who cause harm can really change with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services ADAPT counselor Irvin Hernandez, and Darla Timberlake, clinical director and vice president of the Behavioral Health Center for Child and Family Services in Newport News, Virginia. If you or someone you know has experienced interpersonal violence, call the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov and search for domestic and sexual violence. To listen to other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.

The city of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice agree the city has done enough to be released from a consent decree imposed due to unconstitutional policing involving excessive force in 2015. They've asked a federal judge to sign off. The mayor says work still needs to be done, but the city should be in charge of it, not the feds. The story begins our discussion of the week's news on the “Sound of Ideas” Reporters Roundtable. Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel filed a lawsuit this week claiming County Executive Chris Ronayne's office has no right to take over financial control of his department. It's the latest salvo in a long-standing conflict over spending in the sheriff's department, where overtime has ballooned. Employees of Lorain County's Department of Job and Family Services went on strike Wednesday morning after contract talks failed to reach a new deal. The previous contract for employees, represented by United Auto Workers Local 2192, expired in September. Ohio has expanded its quarantine for the spotted lanternfly to all counties in the state. The invasive species was first spotted in Ohio in 2020. State officials say there's no need to report the bugs any longer. If you see one, squash it. Two Ohio lawmakers want to punish people who don't heed crossing guards. House Bill 690 would also levy penalties for harassing, threatening or intimidating crossing guards. A year-long celebration of Lorain native Toni Morrison began this week. Morrison, who once worked for the Lorain Public Library, was celebrated for her novels, children's books, and plays. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her novel 'Beloved' - and this year's celebration shares that name. Guests: -Matt Richmond, Criminal Justice Reporter, Ideastream Public Media -Kabir Bhatia, Sr. Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media -Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 11,000 children and teens are in Georgia's foster care system. Data also reveals more than 500 youth transition out of the foster care system, many needing assistance, housing, and resources as they adjust to adulthood. Allison Ashe, the CEO and president of Wellroot Family Services, talks with “Closer Look” host Rose Scott about the work of Wellroot and the expansion of their newly renovated apartment community, The Oaks. She also discussed details about Wellroot's 2026 Reaching Teens Summit, slated for February 26-27 at the North Georgia Conference United Methodist Center. Plus, a long list of Republicans and Democrats is vying for Georgia’s top elected office, and we are months away from the gubernatorial primary. In an effort to run an effective campaign, candidates spend money on advertisements, canvassing, and more. We hear from Atlanta-based political strategist Fred Hicks, who says people vote with their dollars. Hicks broke down campaign spending and fundraising, as well as how much money each candidate has raised so far, and the three measures used to track a candidate’s overall campaign dollars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb. 2, 2026- The Hochul administration is being sued for its handling of secured facilities serving New Yorkers ages 12 to 21. Kate Wood, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society, explains the failings of the state Office of the Children & Family Services.

WSFI Catholic Radio hosted a Roe v Wade Day of Prayer, Reparation & Reflection. Elizabeth Yore was a guest speaker. Elizabeth is an International Child Protection Attorney, specializing in Missing, Abducted & Exploited Children. Previously, she served as General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services. During her time there, she organized the nation's first  Child Welfare Missing Wards Unit, and coordinated with Law Enforcement to locate misising children and to prosecute offenders.

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Talking about the difficult parts of our child's story, like abuse or prenatal substance exposure, can be overwhelming. Kelly Weidner, the co-founder and Executive Director of Haven Adoptions & Family Services in Ambler, PA. She has 28 years of experience in foster care, residential care, and adoption, which will help us navigate these challenging conversations with our kids.In this episode, we discuss:What kinds of issues do we mean when we say “difficult parts” of a child's story? What are some of the everyday challenging conversations that adoptive parents must tackle?Why is it necessary to introduce these potentially painful, complex issues to our kids?Why are parents reluctant to talk about these issues?What steps should adoptive parents take when choosing to start these conversations? Where do they start?What is a Lifebook, and how can parents use them to introduce and build on the story as their child grows?What should be included?How does a Lifebook differ between the types of adoption?What if your child wants to bring their Lifebook to school or show it to people outside the family?What language can you use with young children to lay the groundwork for later, with more details filled in as they grow?How would a parent start the conversation about being conceived during a rape or abusive relationship, across several ages or stages, to build understanding?As another example, should we tell our kids about abuse or neglect that happened to them if they don't remember it? How?Should you tell a child that her birth mother's use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy might be the cause of their learning disabilities? How do you help your child understand how much of his story he should share with others outside the family?What if you don't believe the birth mother's story of what happened? What if you don't know the details of what happened, just that something “big” did happen?How can adoptive parents help their children understand that they are more than the difficult parts of their history and that they are not doomed to repeat their birth parents' mistakes?What are some practical tips for supporting our kids after we've had to share hard-to-hear information?Resources:Suggested Books for Adoptive FamiliesUsing Lifebooks to Explain Complex Issues in Adoption to KidsBuilding the Framework for Adopted & Foster Children to Process the Hard Parts of Their StoriesSupport 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 bipartisan bill signed into law last year is now giving Native Americans residing in Arizona the option to update their state-issued identification to show their tribal affiliation. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, it comes at a time when Indigenous peoples are being swept up in immigration raids – including Peter Yazzie (Navajo), who was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Phoenix metro area. This new marker is akin to getting an organ donor or veteran insignia on any form of ID, including a driver license. To do so, applicants need to prove that they're enrolled in a tribe by submitting a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB), and so far, the Arizona Department of Transportation has gotten more than 1,600 requests for the designation. That idea of streamlining legal documents came from State Rep. Myron Tsosie (Navajo/D-AZ). “Instead of having to dig out all your cards to show that you are Native American.” And had nothing to do with ICE. “That wasn't the purpose, but I'm hearing from constituents saying that I feel safer now.” And it's something Thomas Cody, executive director of the Navajo Nation's Division for Child and Family Services, is encouraging his Diné urban relatives to seek out. “It's unfortunate that we have to have an ID that we're Native Americans. We shouldn't but I'm glad the state of Arizona, Gov. [Katie] Hobbs is taking an extra step.” His deputy director Sonlatsa Jim thinks this service is much-needed – not just for Navajos living in the Grand Canyon State. “Because we are the largest Native American tribe, you'll find a Navajo tribal member anywhere in the United States.” That's why Tsosie is working with neighboring Utah and New Mexico state lawmakers to adopt his legislation aiming to help cover more of Indian Country, including the rest of his sprawling 27,000-square-mile reservation. The federal government is reviewing the business program that benefits Alaska Native corporations and tribes. The Alaska Desk’s Alena Naiden from our flagship station KNBA reports. In a video posted on X January 16, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said his department will review the 8(a) Business Development Program. That program falls under the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) and supports businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals or tribes including Alaska Native Corporations. We are taking a sledgehammer to the oldest DEI program in the federal government—the 8(a) program. pic.twitter.com/c9iH8gcqG7 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) January 16, 2026 Sec. Hegseth said in the video that the 8(a) program promotes the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) framework and race-based contracting. In the 8(a) program, the federal government sets aside contracting opportunities for disadvantaged small businesses. Tribal entities can have multiple companies in the program, while individuals can only have one. Alaska Native Corporations rely heavily on federal contracts often received through the 8(a) program. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis shows that it is their primary source of revenue. And most of those contracts come from the U.S. Department of Defense. Quinton Carroll is the executive director of the Native American Contractors Association, and originally from Utqiagvik. “Native participation in the 8(a) program is not a DEI initiative.” Carroll says the program “fulfills longstanding federal trust and treaty obligations to tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations.” Hegseth ordered a line-by-line review of sole-source 8(a) contracts that are over $20 million. He said in the social media video that the department will get rid of contracts that do not make the country's military more lethal. Hegseth also said the department will make sure that the businesses getting a contract are the ones actually doing the work. He claimed that often small businesses receive the contract, take a fee, and pass it to a giant consulting firm. However, Carroll says Native federal contractors have been partners of the Department of Defense. He added that Native contractors also support the elimination of fraud and waste within the program. The 8(a) program has faced scrutiny from other directions as well. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April, directing rewriting of federal contracting regulations. The SBA and Treasury department have been both investigating the program as well. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Friday, January 23, 2026 — Native Bookshelf: “Special Places, Sacred Circles” by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

How do states turn public health messaging into real behavior change and how do the places we live shape our health every day? In this episode, Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services, discusses the Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign and what it takes to move beyond awareness to action. Dr. Stack, an ASTHO member and former ASTHO president, shares how Kentucky is using simple, achievable goals—eat healthier, move more, and stay socially connected—along with clear calls to action, trusted partners, and data-driven refinements to engage residents and build long-term, sustainable health improvements. Then, Clint Grant, Director of Healthy Community Design, Chronic Disease and Health Improvement at ASTHO joins us to explore the growing role of Healthy Community Design in public health. From transportation and road safety to green space and mobility, Clint explains how decisions about streets, sidewalks, and transit are some of the most powerful, and often overlooked, public health choices states and communities make. States Invest in Public Health and Safety Through Transportation Policy | ASTHOKey Insights to Improve Infection Prevention in Dialysis Settings | ASTHOMeeting Home Page

/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer */ /* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer */ .tdi_2, .tdi_2 .tdc-columns{ min-height: 0; }.tdi_2, .tdi_2 .tdc-columns{ display: block; }.tdi_2 .tdc-columns{ width: 100%; }.tdi_2:before, .tdi_2:after{ display: table; } /* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer */ /* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer */ .tdi_4{ vertical-align: baseline; }.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper, .tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper > .tdc-elements{ display: block; }.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper > .tdc-elements{ width: 100%; }.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper > .vc_row_inner{ width: auto; }.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper{ width: auto; height: auto; } This episode is sponsored by Johnson County Mental Health. Parents face intense pressure to parent well in today's society. Whether it's managing screen time, overcoming generational parenting mistakes, substance abuse or the growing teen mental health crisis, it's a lot to navigate. The good news is we don't have to do it alone. Johnson County Mental Health is a valuable community resource for parents and youth. We're so lucky to speak with Tim Kruse and Sierra Wright, community prevention coordinators, who understand these issues from their work in our community as well as being parents themselves.  They are here to discuss tips for parents and the free resources available to support you on this journey. What You'll Hear in This Episode In this conversation, we explore: How the way we were parented impacts the way we parent. The variety of resources that we have for parents/caregivers Device safety/awareness and how to navigate that digital world How to navigate situations when a child is in a mental health crisis What parents need to know about substance abuse and suicide How Johnson County Mental Health is here to help both parents and kids Meet Our Guests Tim Kruse is a Community Prevention Coordinator for Johnson County Mental Health. He has been with Johnson County working with children and families for the last 18 years, the last 4.5 of which has been at the mental health center. Tim works to facilitate and educate community members on general mental wellness, suicide and substance use prevention, and device awareness and safety. Sierra Wright, LMSW is the Community Prevention Manager at Johnson County Mental Health Center, where she has worked since 2012. During her tenure, she has served in several roles, including clinician and team leader in Children and Family Services and as a prevention coordinator. Sierra earned both her Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Kansas. Since 2018, she has served on the Kansas Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Council and currently serves as Vice-Chair. In this role, she collaborates with law enforcement to strengthen responses to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. She is dedicated to equipping officers with the tools and knowledge to support those in crisis and is an advocate for increasing awareness of secondary trauma and expanding supports for law enforcement personnel.   Connect with Megan and Sarah We would love to hear from you! Send us an e-mail or find us on Instagram or Facebook!        

Just weeks after Seattle's November elections, Town Hall Seattle kicks off a timely, can't-miss series hosted by Marcus Harrison Green. The panel features political strategist Crystal Fincher, The Stranger's news editor Vivian McCall, and the South Seattle Emerald's political columnist Tobias Coughlin-Bogue. Together they'll cut through the noise to unpack what the results really mean—from who's setting the agenda at City Hall to what's looming in Olympia, and connect it all to the turbulent political currents in Washington, D.C. Expect an unflinching, illuminating conversation about what's next for Seattle, the state, and our role in shaping the national story. Host Marcus Harrison Green is the publisher of Hinton Publishing, the founder of the South Seattle Emerald, and a columnist with The Stranger. Growing up in South Seattle, he experienced first-hand the impact of one-dimensional stories on marginalized communities, which taught him the value of authentic narratives. After an unfulfilling stint in the investment world during his twenties, Marcus returned to his community with a newfound purpose of telling stories with nuance, complexity, and multidimensionality with the hope of advancing social change. This led him to become a writer and found the South Seattle Emerald. An award-winning journalist, he was awarded the Seattle Human Rights Commissions' Individual Human Rights Leader Award for 2020 and named the inaugural James Baldwin Fellow by the Northwest African American Museum in 2022. Panelists Crystal Fincher is the Executive Director of KVRU 105.7 FM, an independent non-profit community radio station in South Seattle that she and her business partner recently acquired. She also publishes and hosts Hacks & Wonks, the region's premier podcast about local politics and policy. Crystal led an award-winning political consulting firm for 15 years, helping elect state and local candidates and pass ballot measures across the West Coast. Crystal's work has always been rooted in community mobilization and economic development, serving on the City of Kent Land Use & Planning Board, as a Deputy on the Washington Roundtable, and on the boards of Kent Youth and Family Services, the Northwest Association of Financial Professionals, Tabor 100, and the Washington Institute for a Democratic Future. She currently serves on the boards of Progress Alliance of Washington and The Urbanist. Vivian McCall is The Stranger's News Editor. In her private life, she is a musician and Wii U apologist. If you're reading this, you either love her or hate her. Tobias Coughlin-Bogue is a writer, editor, and restaurant worker who lives in South Park. He was formerly the associate editor of Real Change News and has since covered politics for The Stranger and the South Seattle Emerald. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and The Stranger.

In this episode I interview Dr. Charles Sophy, author of FAMILY VALUES: Reset Trust, Boundaries, and Connection with Your Child . He is the medical director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and a regular contributor on the Dr. Phil show. Dr. Sophy has helped all kinds of families break harmful patterns. Based on his wealth of experience as a psychiatrist and as a father, Dr. Sophy assures every parent: “No matter how complicated life gets or how off course your family dynamics become, it's never too late to hit the reset button and move forward with confidence, love, and authenticity, with your family values leading the way.”  For more information on Dr. Charles Sophy: ⁠https://drsophy.com/⁠. Follow on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sophyonthestreet/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture Trump is showing the world how green energy doesn’t work, plus it also shows the environmentalist really don’t care about the environment. The people are waking up to the fact that the [CB] have been robbing us of our money. Trump’s economy is taking off. The [DS] is being exposed, the people are now seeing the criminal syndicate system, it is one tyrannical money laundering system. The people have been funding our destruction. The [DS] hunted Trump and now Trump is hunting them. The difference is that the [DS] have committed the crimes and the investigations will show their criminal acts. We are in the process of fighting the 2nd American revolution. Economy  (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2006870301041467482?s=20   improved across every US region last month to their highest levels of 2025. The West posted the largest increase, followed by the South, the nation's largest home-selling region. As a result, the Pending Home Sales Index is up to 79.2 points, the highest since February 2023. Homebuyer activity is regaining traction. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2006832536257966286?s=20   need to cut fraud https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2006750062844534872?s=20  greatly eliminates fraud, waste and abuse; -or- (ii) Middle-class taxpayers decide enough is enough and they too stop following the rules. Door (i) = prosperity. Door (ii) = anarchy. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2006833536335327501?s=20 https://twitter.com/QuantusInsights/status/2006036670680912007?s=20   overseas buying. This is strong, confidence-driven allocation by sophisticated investors looking 12–24 months ahead. When stocks, Treasuries and corporate bonds all see heavy inflows together, the data quietly signals: • U.S. growth looks resilient (no recession on the horizon) • American institutions remain solid • Global alternatives don't measure up A rare combination that points to a strong setup for the U.S. economy. https://twitter.com/howardlutnick/status/2006867104272961854?s=20  positions across industries and our nation. This new growth will employ millions of workers in great, high-paying jobs. The era of non-productive jobs fueled by DEI bureaucracy and corporate performative politics is over. Those who want to work and build America will be rewarded. Great positions and opportunities will be plentiful. The time is now to Make America Great Again. To the amazing success of America and the American worker in 2026!! Political/Rights   the Country, including Tim Waltz, Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat. Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasn't a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/2006739373346226506?s=20  quickly. It's unverified gossip that is embraced by News Editors. I see it everyday with the Trump Kennedy Center. Fake news repeated over and over without a single reporter calling to verify the information they are repeating. DOGE https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2006843983016960428?s=20 “This is deeply morally WRONG.” “Why is it right for someone who escaped tyranny in other countries and happens to live in SF to pay ‘reparations’ for something they had nothing to do with?”  “California didn’t even have slaves!” Geopolitical More Than 1,000 Cars Burned in France, as New Years' Eve ‘Celebrations' in Europe Turn Into a ‘Fireworks War' Between Migrants and Police (VIDEOS)  Cars burning on NYE: Macron is presiding over the destruction of France. The suicidal policy of unchecked mass migration is takings its toll on the European nations. Among the multiple problems, there's the fact that the New Years ‘celebrations' have turned into an excuse for violent migrants to attack police, firefighters and commons citizens with fireworks, turning it into a war. https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2006763220258926726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2006763220258926726%7Ctwgr%5E6f5fbf697d1dedb8ea125a1a961ff7b248f5d362%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fmore-than-1000-cars-burned-france-as-new%2F https://twitter.com/RMXnews/status/2006884531585024201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2006884531585024201%7Ctwgr%5E6f5fbf697d1dedb8ea125a1a961ff7b248f5d362%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fmore-than-1000-cars-burned-france-as-new%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2006843568816796153?s=20  Maduro Says He’s Ready to Play ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro says that he’s willing to come to terms with President Trump if the U.S. ends its military pressure campaign in an interview with socialist academic and journalist (but I repeat myself) Ignacio Ramonet. Trump has made multiple demands that Maduro depart, going back to the beginning of the pressure campaign in November, for instance, on December 23: “We want it back,” he added. “They took our oil rights — we had a lot of oil there. As you know they threw our companies out, and we want it back.” The list includes, but is not limited to: Exxon Mobil—2007—oil extraction. Conoco Phillips—2007—oil extraction. Halliburton—2009—oil operations. Cargill—2009—rice processing. Owens Illinois—2010—glass. Clorox—2014—consumer goods.  General Motors—2017—auto manufacturing.  Kellogg's—2018)—cereals. Goodyear—2018—tires. Source: redstate.com War/Peace Anonymous U.S. Officials Say Ukraine Didn't Target Putin with Drone Attack – Russian Officials Say They Have Drone Flight Plan From Navigation Unit  The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Ukraine did not target the personal residence of Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, “according to U.S. officials.”   However, Russia captured one of the drones intact and have said they were able to “extract a file containing a flight plan from the navigation unit” which they plan to share with the Trump administration through established channels. {LINK}   Who are we going to believe, Russian “special service” operations or anonymous “U.S. Intelligence Officials”?  U.S. media have said the attack on Putin may be a lie; however, with physical evidence from the defense operation, it is less likely Russia just made up the attack.  At this moment in the conflict, Putin doesn't need domestic propaganda.    Source: theconservativetreehouse.com [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status/2006842440968450361?s=20 https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2006830735626301488?s=20   up to dozens of times for safety violations. Four facilities had prepared themselves for liberal journalists by having Somali children inside. https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2006877951376154782?s=20  extreme, with little girls usually required to wear both head and body coverings. Female genital mutation is also endemic to their cultural practices. In June 2025, Mayor @Jacob_Frey released an official video in Somali condemning the U.S. government’s efforts to restrict incoming migration from Somalia. This is the same mayor who oversaw (managed) the burning of Minneapolis during the 2020 BLM-Antifa riots. http://ngocomment.com https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2006849302002544832?s=20 https://twitter.com/AAGDhillon/status/2006887697743302932?s=20 Report Alleges Somalia's Foreign Minister, Whose Ohio Healthcare Company Receives U.S. Tax Dollars, Also Controls LLC at SAME ADDRESS as Somali Money Transfer Firm Accused of Terror Financing  A new report alleges that Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, a U.S. citizen whose Ohio-based healthcare company has raked in millions from American taxpayers, also controls an LLC operating out of the same address as a Somali money transfer firm previously accused of funneling funds to terrorist organizations. Abdisalam Abdi Ali was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia in May 2025. Born in Somalia but building a life in the U.S., Ali established Ritechoice Healthcare Services LLC in Toledo, Ohio, over a decade ago. Shockingly, two additional healthcare companies operate out of the same office suite. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2006872203921600958?s=20 In that role, he: Oversees Security Council meetings Sets the Council's agenda Manages resolutions and presidential statements Speaks for the A3+ bloc (African nations plus Caribbean representation) on issues like Afghanistan and Yemen But before assuming global authority in New York, Osman spent years embedded inside Ohio's public welfare system. Osman relocated to the United States in the late 1980s and built his career in Ohio's taxpayer-funded social services apparatus. From 1999 to 2012, he worked at the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, serving as: Case Manager Social Program Specialist Source: thegatewaypudit.com  https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/2006726416168079799?s=20   democrats by the same corrupt Somali's. Stolen elections violate the Constitutional rights of citizens. That will play a HUGE part in FORCING our election system to be completely transformed. Fraud vitiates everything and everything is connected. Source: thegatewyapundit.com President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/ScottAdamsSays/status/2007077071684780275?s=20 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2007076187760366005?s=20 President Trump Issues the First Vetoes of His Second Term  It took about 11 months, but President Donald Trump has finally issued the first vetoes of his second term. And like most things involving the president, the moves aren't without their critics — including some you might not normally expect pushback from. Trump's rapid response team highlighted the two vetoes: https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2006153283996381333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2006153283996381333%7Ctwgr%5E79e6ef2350ae826bc802e9e5d82d5c97bad630de%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fpresident-trump-issues-first-vetoes-second-term%2F The “Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act” is a bill aimed at expanding the land set aside for the Miccosukee Tribe inside Everglades National Park by officially including a section known as Osceola Camp. Trump had a couple of issues with this. The residential community in that area “was constructed in 1935, without authorization, in a low area that was raised with fill material,” Trump's explanation read. “None of the current structures in the Osceola Camp are over 50 years old, nor do they meet the other criteria to be considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places,” Trump wrote to the House. He added that, “the Miccosukee Tribe has actively sought to obstruct reasonable immigration policies that the American people decisively voted for when I was elected.” That appears to be a direct reference to the tribe's publicized opposition — including a lawsuit against the Trump administration — to the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center in Florida, as noted by The Associated Press. The “Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act,” meanwhile, is a bill designed to make it easier for rural Colorado communities to complete a long‑planned water pipeline project that will facilitate drinking water to people in the Arkansas River Valley. Trump appeared to take specific issue with the price tag and repayment plans for this project. “It was originally authorized … in a bill signed by President Kennedy in 1962,” Trump said. “For decades it was unbuilt, largely because the AVC was economically unviable.” “More than $249 million has already been spent on the AVC, and total costs are estimated to be $1.3 billion,” Trump wrote. “H.R. 131 would continue the failed policies of the past by forcing Federal taxpayers to bear even more of the massive costs of a local water project — a local water project that, as initially conceived, was supposed to be paid for by the localities using it. “Enough is enough. My administration is committed to preventing American taxpayers from funding expensive and unreliable policies. Ending the massive cost of taxpayer handouts and restoring fiscal sanity is vital to economic growth and the fiscal health of the Nation.” The bill was backed and pushed by Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert — normally a staunch supporter of Trump's — who seemed incensed with the president's veto and vowed that “this isn't over.” Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/EagleEdMartin/status/2006700820432130068?s=20  to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made??? President DJT https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2006537728369057886?s=20 https://twitter.com/BradCGZ/status/2006485378031824908?s=20 https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2006523871181300073?s=20  (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

On this episode, we highlight three standout conversations. First, we return to our tour of the Providence Farm Collective. Then, we continue Ekua Mends-Aidoo's conversation with Charisma DuBois of the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology. And we close out the episode with Alicia Stark from Child and Family Services.

Dr. Greg Hobelmann, Co-CEO/President of Ashley Addiction Treatment alongside Alex Denstman, brings a wealth of experience to his role. Formerly serving as senior vice president and chief clinical/medical officer, Greg now oversees our entire continuum of care including Medical, Clinical, and Spiritual Care, as well as Family Services, Quality Improvement, and Health Information Management. Holding a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Greg's expertise spans psychiatry, anesthesiology, and pain medicine. With a background in interventional pain management, he focuses on substance use disorders and chronic pain, dedicated to providing innovative holistic care to patients and families at Ashley. Greg currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Committee for the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers and is Co-Chair of the Public Policy Committee for the Maryland/DC Society of Addiction Medicine. Today on the show we discuss: the complexities of addiction and why the epidemic is so out of control, the nature of addiction and its impact on the brain, strategies for navigating early recovery and regaining control of your life, the ins and outs of the treatment industry and what great treatment actually looks like, what Dr. Hobelmann's latest research suggests about addiction recovery, his advice families and much more. WELLNESS DISCLAIMER  Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you've consumed.If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kentucky is experiencing its largest spike in whooping cough cases since 2012, an alarming rise that has already claimed the lives of three infants in the past year. In this episode, Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services, joins us to unpack what's driving the surge, why waning vaccination rates matter, and how misinformation is complicating public health response efforts.  Dr. Stack, ASTHO member and former ASTHO president, explains the cyclical nature of pertussis, how the pandemic disrupted typical disease patterns, and why the current spike is more severe than expected. He discusses the heartbreaking reality that none of the infants who died were vaccinated, and neither were their mothers, despite well-established evidence that maternal vaccination can provide newborns with lifesaving early protection.Creating Shared Vision and Governance for Data Modernization in Vermont | ASTHODon't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator | ASTHO

U.S. Customs and Border Protection ramped up enforcement in the New Orleans area last week. Officials say the operation, known as “Catahoula Crunch,” aims to arrest 5,000 criminals who are in the country illegally. Reporter for The Times-Picayune/The Advocate, Lara Nicholson, joins us with an update. The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is expanding its footprint of one-stop financial capability centers, called Prosperity Centers. They open in areas where more than half of parish households are facing financial hardship. The latest center opened this month in St. Bernard Parish and will offer an assortment of free, year-round financial services.United Way CEO Michael Williamson joins us to discuss how the organization is addressing financial needs for low-income families.An audit released this month finds that Louisiana ranks near the bottom among states and U.S. territories for the collection of child support payments. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor's review of the Child Support Enforcement Program run through the Department of Children and Family Services found the agency collected just over half of court-obligated payments last year. Editor for the Louisiana Illuminator, Greg LaRose, joins us with more on the results of the audit.—Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber. We receive production and technical support from Garrett Pittman, Adam Vos and our assistant producer, Aubry Procell. You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at noon and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, the NPR App and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

On this episode of What's Next?, we explore two ways Western New York communities are responding to need and opportunity. Jennifer Rizzo Choi, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, joins us to unpack recent shifts in U.S. immigration policy, including the review of hundreds of thousands of recently admitted refugees and the pause on asylum applications. She also shares upcoming events at the Institute, from a Meet the Ambassador series to a regional Model UN conference, designed to foster cultural understanding and engagement. We also hear from Alicia Stark of Child and Family Services about their Adopt-a-Family program. She explains how the annual initiative supports over a thousand people each year, providing everything from winter boots and books to essential household items, and how community support is critical as local needs continue to grow.

This edition of Parent Perspectives features returning guest, Michele Abraham-Montgomery, who specializes in Family Services, Autism Resources & Advocacy, Peer Family Coaching, Youth and Young Adult Programming, Peer Best Practices, Modeling Play Therapy Techniques and IEP Reviews and Preparations. Her and her Autistic son, Khylil, created Spectrum Success 911--a nonprofit organization connecting families with programming, community resources, and organizations of support. Chele shares her reflections on watching a new generation of siblings navigate Autism in ways that echo her own children's early years.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2025/12/05/siblings/⁠Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Child Support Enforcement: Performance Audit Services Manager Kristen Jacobs recaps a new LLA report that provides information about the Department of Children and Family Services' Child Support Enforcement program and evaluates the department's child support case review process. | https://LLA.La.gov/go/podcast

Child Support Enforcement: Performance Audit Services Manager Kristen Jacobs recaps a new LLA report that provides information about the Department of Children and Family Services' Child Support Enforcement program and evaluates the department's child support case review process. | https://LLA.La.gov/go/podcast

This week on Truth to Power, we bring you a community conversation about reducing single use disposable plastics in foodservice and the food safety codes that impact efforts to avoid disposables. This conversation was hosted by Beyond Plastics Louisville at their November 20th meeting, and it featured Alison Schleck, Environmental Health Supervisor for the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Food Safety Program. Alison engaged in a rich dialogue with Beyond Plastics Louisville members about our food safety codes as they apply to reusable containers for food and drink. Learn more about Beyond Plastics Louisville at https://www.facebook.com/groups/beyondplasticslouky. Watch a recording of the evening at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SniWcZrwwA The next meeting of Beyond Plastics Louisville will be a dinner gathering on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 at 6pm at Mashup Food Hall in NuLu (750 E Jefferson St.). Join fellow plastic haters at this in-person gathering for dinner, followed by a discussion of the new book, The Problem with Plastic, by Beyond Plastic's founder, Judith Enck. These are some things we learned from our conversation with Alison: • The Food Safety Program oversees 4,600 food facilities in the Louisville metro area, with 17 inspectors and 2 supervisors. Most facilities have two inspections per year. • When restaurant customers dine in, they may bring reusable containers for their leftovers, as long as the restaurant staff do not handle the containers. For other carryouts, the kitchen cannot accept a customer's container. • For coffee shops, the vendor may prepare beverages and transfer into the customer's container, as long as the transfer is contamination free, with no direct contact. Shops, such as Starbucks, may choose whether or not they will allow customers to bring their containers. • Another option (used at some college campuses and in other locales) would be for a food service to provide food in a reusable container that the customer would return to the business or a third party service to be cleaned and sanitized before being reused. • Pam asked if the food safety code addressed possible chemical or microplastic contamination from plastic packaging, containers, or utensils. Alison said the food code standards require that food contact surfaces not allow “migration of deleterious substances' into food. The current code prevents contact with some metals such as lead, copper, or galvanized metal. Regarding concerns about PFAS, Alison said the code specifies that cooking surfaces with Perfluoroalkyl non-stick coatings may not be scratched. • Pam also asked about processes where food is cooked in plastic. These are currently allowed by the code. • Beatriz asked about the process for adopting or changing the KY food code. Who decides which federal code is followed? Alison answered that the KY Dept. for Public Health adopts the code. This department is under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. • Beatriz also asked if the Metro Food Safety Program regulates food trucks. She has noticed that most food trucks seem to use Styrofoam containers. Food trucks are regulated and inspected, but Styrofoam is allowed by the code. • Arnita asked about educational resources for a friend who teaches fifth graders. Pam recommended programs from kNOw Waste Louisville. Both Pam and Shayla recommended the film Microplastic Madness. On Truth to Power each week, we gather people from around the community to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://forwardradio.org

If you've ever wondered whether an ESOP could be the right succession or liquidity strategy for your business, this episode breaks it down in practical, owner-friendly terms. ESOPs continue to gain traction among business owners, advisors, and management teams looking for a tax-advantaged way to transition ownership while preserving company culture and leadership continuity. In this conversation, we take a clear-eyed look at how ESOPs actually work, who they're right for, and the real impact they can have on company performance. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, I'm joined by Kelly Finnell, president of Executive Financial Services and author of The ESOP Coach. Kelly has spent decades helping business owners evaluate ESOPs as part of their succession planning, and he brings both technical knowledge and real-world experience to the table. We discuss: The biggest myths and misconceptions business owners have about ESOPs How ESOPs compare to private equity, competitor sales, and management buyouts The traits that make a company a strong candidate for an ESOP – and the red flags How ESOP valuation works and how trustees influence deal dynamics What business owners should know about deal structure The cultural impact of employee ownership and why engagement tends to improve How leadership should communicate an ESOP to build an ownership mindset The key tax advantages that set ESOPs apart from other succession options Where ESOP efforts tend to go off track and what owners should watch for Whether you're a business owner planning ahead, a manager interested in ownership culture, or an advisor guiding clients through succession decisions, this episode provides a grounded, actionable look at ESOPs from someone who has been in the trenches. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Kelly O. Finnell, J.D., CLU, AIF® is one of the nation's premier ESOP consultants, having spent more than 40 years helping business owners design and execute ESOPs. Kelly is one of the most sought-after speakers about ESOPs, with experience presenting at more than 300 conferences and meetings throughout the U.S. and abroad in London and Sydney. An accomplished writer, Kelly wrote the preeminent ESOP book, The ESOP Coach: Using ESOPS in Ownership Succession Planning in 2010 and this work remains the most comprehensive guide to ESOPs today. Kelly has also published dozens of articles on the use of ESOPs in Ownership Succession Planning, An active member of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and The ESOP Association, Kelly is a consistent pillar of leadership in the ESOP community. Kelly has also served in leadership roles in numerous professional and community activities, including: President of the Memphis Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals, Vestry Member and Treasurer of his church, President of Family Services of Memphis, as a member of the Board of Directors of Renasant Bank and the Economic Club of Memphis and on the Dean's Advisory Council at the Christian Brothers University School of Business. Kelly graduated magna cum laude from the University of Memphis and from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary- professional designation, awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.   About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.    Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers.    He's on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people's contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company's most valuable asset.”   Dave's book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He's also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.  

Click here to send us a topic idea or question for Weekend Wisdom.Do you sometimes feel that self-care is an impossible goal when you are parenting kids who have experienced trauma? There isn't enough time in the day to do it all, much less take care of yourself. Or is there? Join us to talk about how to find time to take care of yourself. We will talk with Angelica Jones, MSW, Program Director of Intercountry Services and the Intensive Service Foster Care Recruiter and Trainer at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.In this episode, we discuss:“Selfcare” or “take care of yourself” are overused but still vitally important terms for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.Why do all parents but especially parents of kids who've experienced trauma need to practice self-care?What is secondary trauma?Why are kids who've experience neglect, abuse and other childhood traumas harder to  parent?Challenging BehaviorsLearning disabilitiesThe busyness of foster and adoptive parenting.So many appointments (therapy, OT, tutoring, doctors, IEP meetings, social workers, birth family visits, etc.)Helping with education-homework struggles.Dealing with the emotional fallout from early life trauma.What are some of the barriers to taking care of ourselves as adoptive, foster or kinship parents?The importance of respite care and the barriers to parents using it.Practical ideas for providing self-care.Think small when thinking self-care.Ask for help and accept it when offered. If someone offers to help, say “yes” and suggest something specific.Parent Support groupsSupport 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

How does Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of Wisconsin (LCFS) support families through adoption programs? Carol Flanary, MS, LPC (CEO of Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of Wisconsin) joins Andy and Sarah during National Adoption Month to talk about the history of LCFS of Wisconsin, what brought them to the Youth Gathering over the summer and what they learned from interacting with the young people there, the services available through LCFS today, how they support the community through these services, why this work is important to Carol personally, and how they support pastors in their vocations. Learn more about LCFS of Wisconsin at lcfswi.org. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Consider JesusSeries: Family Services Preacher: Rev. Hilary Van WagenenDate: 2nd November 2025Passage: Hebrews 11:1-16

Send us a textThe hardest conversations often happen in the quiet minutes between calls. We sat down with clinician and co-response partner Amanda Rizoli to explore how real support for first responders is built—on language, trust, and the discipline to show up when services are thin and the need is loud. Amanda works alongside the Milford Police Department's Family Services Unit and partners with Community Impact, Chris's Corner Recovery Resource Center, and New England Medical Group to create a wraparound model that meets people where they are.We talk through the realities of police and EMS life: constant hypervigilance, the pull toward numbing after shift, and the challenge of switching from fight-or-flight to family dinner. Amanda breaks down how she approaches alcohol as a coping strategy without judgment, how she teaches practical skills like structured decompression and tactical breathing, and why brief, timely check-ins during ride-alongs can open doors that a formal office visit can't. She also shares how a therapy canine lowers defenses on scene, and how clinicians earn credibility by respecting patrol's turf and knowing when to step back.Culture and language shape access. As a trilingual clinician, Amanda navigates the nuances of Portuguese and Spanish dialects across Portugal, Brazil, and Latin America, where stigma can be high and immigration status complicates care. We dig into the shift among younger parents willing to break cycles of silence, and how targeted outreach, transparent pathways, and confidentiality build trust. Families matter here: spouses can act as early warning systems, keeping communication open and knowing when work stress is spilling into home. Periodic joint sessions help couples tune the signal without turning the house into a clinic.If you care about officer wellness, community trust, and practical ways to prevent burnout, this conversation delivers a grounded playbook: co-response done right, multilingual services, stepped care from outpatient to IOP, and the small, repeatable habits that actually make a difference after shift. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more first responders and families find these tools.Freed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

Darolyn Bellemeur was adopted in 1972 through a Jewish agency in Riverside, California. In her twenties, determined to learn the truth of her beginnings, she navigated closed records and bureaucracy until finally receiving a three-page letter from Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in Los Angeles. That letter — a simple packet of typed pages — unveiled a world of family history: a sixteen-year-old Jewish mother from Tennessee, a grandmother who controlled the adoption decision, siblings she had never known, and a teenage father of Irish descent. For the first time, Darolyn was given glimpses of the people and circumstances that shaped her life story. From those fragments, she pieced together clues, calling cemeteries, chasing down a last name, and finally connecting with her birth parents. Reality Life with Kate Casey What to Watch List: https://katecasey.substack.com Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/katecasey Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecasey Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/katecaseyca Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itskatecasey?lang=en Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113157919338245 Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/katecasey Like it to Know It: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/katecaseySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.