Podcasts about family services

In this episode, I sit down with Lorna Little, President and CEO of St. Anne's Family Services in Los Angeles. Lorna leads an organization that touches the lives of thousands of families facing housing insecurity, young mothers seeking stability, and children who need a safe start. Our conversation goes deep into what it means to lead from both lived experience and professional training. Lorna shares how her own journey as a young mother and adoptee fuels her mission to build programs that change lives for the better. She explains why balancing high support with high accountability is not a feel-good slogan but a daily discipline that keeps her team effective and her community served. We talk about the real cost of not supporting families early, why leaders must stand firm in their power even when feedback stings, and how caring leadership still demands measurable results. Lorna also reminds us to protect our own energy, nurture our creative sides, and never forget why we started this work in the first place. If you have ever wondered what true, heart-centered nonprofit leadership looks like behind the budget lines, you will find so much wisdom here. Take a moment to listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who cares as much as you do.  

On this week's episode of The Imprint Weekly Podcast we are joined by Brandon Nichols, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and Victor Dominguez, CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. They recently partnered to guarantee a YMCA membership to every older youth in foster care, as well as former foster youth up to age 26.We talked about how the partnership came together, what youth can get out of a Y membership, and talked a bit about how the frenetic things in Washington, D.C. are impacting their respective organizations. Brandon Nichols is the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. In addition to his child welfare career, Nichols served as the executive director of the county's Jail Closure Implementation Team.Victor Dominguez is the CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. Appointed to the role in 2022, Dominguez has been an executive with the organization for two decades and helped launch the Cradle to Career initiative as well as the Achieve LA program. Thanks to SpeakWrite for sponsoring this episode!Reading RoomFree YMCA LA Memberships for Youth in Foster Carehttps://dcfs.lacounty.gov/free-ymca-la-memberships-for-youth-in-foster-care/Longtime County Official Tapped to Lead Los Angeles Child Welfare Agencyhttps://imprintnews.org/child-welfare-2/longtime-county-official-tapped-to-lead-los-angeles-child-welfare-agency/65799

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, and Fidelity Investments Canada.Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! We're recording this one on Friday June 20th and tomorrow is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. So, a conversation relevant to that and essential in this political moment. Our guest is National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, of the Assembly of First Nations.Born and raised in the Pinaymootang First Nation, Manitoba, National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak began her term as National Chief in December 2023, becoming the youngest woman and mother to hold the position.Amongst a very long list of accomplishments, she was the lead negotiator for the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle class action lawsuit, resulting in over $40 billion compensation for First Nations children and families.National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak has lobbied Senate, the House, Cabinet Ministers and the Prime Minister's Office to fulfill mandates from Chiefs. And she continues to advocate to protect collective rights–Treaty, inherent rights, title and jurisdiction, the right to self-determination and all human rights.So today, in the context of Prime Minister Carney's ambitious “Build Agenda”. I want to talk about how we get these projects done in a way that First Nations communities feel part of and positive about.  What are the environmental and land issues that require pushback? What's fair compensation? What are the pressures and internal politics she faces? And where does the reconciliation agenda go, post-Trudeau?Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

Louisiana counts nearly 2,000 foster homes across the state. There are more than 4,000 children in the foster care system.Right away, you can see the math doesn't work unless every foster family doubles up on the number of children they take — and of course, that's not feasible or even recommended in lots of cases.This week, we'll get the perspective of those involved in Louisiana's foster care system to see if and how the gaps can be filled.We'll hear from a faith-based group that's the state's go-to for therapeutic foster care.David Matlock, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, the state agency in charge of foster care, will also join us.And we'll learn how people who were once in the system now get a say in how it operates.

We are sharing this great episode about eating disorders from Open hearts. Honest conversations., a podcast from Family Services of the North Shore. In this episode, Val, host of Open Hearts Honest Conversations, is joined by Joanna, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and Vicky, a guest with lived experience. They talk about common characteristics of eating disorders, Vicky’s own journey, and how family and loved ones can provide support to someone with an eating disorder.Note: Self-harm and sexual assault are discussed in this episode. For some of us, these topics can be challenging and heavy. As you listen to this episode, please take stock of how you're feeling. If you need to take a break, come back a little later, or need to reach out to your supports, please do so.For more detailed show notes, including guest bios, head to https://keltymentalhealth.ca/podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Kay O'Malley has been the director of the Child and Family Services Clinic and clinical professor since 2002. She obtained her bachelor of arts from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College near Terre Haute, Indiana and her master of arts from UMKC. After working as a social worker for the Missouri Division of Family Services for 13 years, she returned to school and graduated cum laude from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kan., where she was an editor on both the Washburn Law Journal and the ABA Family Law Quarterly.Following law school, Professor O'Malley was employed as a prosecuting attorney at the Jackson County Family Court for six years. After leaving the court she was a partner with Raith and O'Malley P.C., focusing her practice in the area of juvenile and family law.Her other teaching assignments include the law school's Guardian ad Litem Workshop, and she is the legal director of the Kansas City Youth Court program housed at the law school.Advocating Justice: The Legal BattleWelcome to Illuminating Hope, a podcast of Hope House. In the series Advocating Justice: The Legal Battle, we dive into the legal battles that shape the fight for domestic violence survivors. In each episode, we bring you powerful conversations with the legal teams, court advocates, and changemakers working tirelessly to bring justice, protection, and hope to survivors of domestic violence.From the courtroom to policy changes, from survivor rights to legal strategies, we uncover the critical role the justice system plays in breaking cycles of abuse. Whether you're a survivor, advocate, or someone passionate about justice, this podcast series will empower and inform you."Justice isn't just about the law—it's about giving survivors a voice, protection, and a future.Hosts: MaryAnne Metheny, Ilene Shehan and Tina JohnsonIf you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.hopehouse.net

Community DC Host Dennis Glasgow speak with the Founders of Heart's Cry Children's Ministry, Matt and Misty Hedspeth. The HCCM is a advocates for and cares for orphaned and abandoned children in Panama, particularly through their Casa Providencia, a special needs orphanage, and their Orphan Cares and Family Services programs. They provide a range of services, including adoption and foster care support, and offer programs to connect with and support children in orphanages. And their DMV tie-in is with four local schools, including Georgetown Prep regarding fundraisers and donations. 

The Ohio Senate is set to unveil its budget amendments this week. Many have been pushing for a last-minute change to provisions in the House-passed plan. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles looks at the changes being requested. Also, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services leader, Jon Honeck, talks about what will happen at local agencies if work requirements for Medicaid are implemented.

Slyvia Rodriguez of the Shelton Youth and Family services took part in the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about some of the stuff going on in Shelton for families. Image Credit: Logo by Meghan Boyd, Edit by Eric Urbanowicz

In today's newscast, Watsonville gets new affordable housing units, and Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposal could put foster family services in danger.

Mark Redmond, Executive Director at Spectrum Youth and Family Services, joins Kurt & Anthony to give an update.

Schuyler Sprowles began his career in radio as a country music personality and news reporter for numerous stations, ultimately becoming a television news anchor in Dallas, Texas. In time Schuyler moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a tv news correspondent. This ultimately led to a high-profile public affairs career as Communications Director for major Los Angeles public agencies, including City Attorney, District Attorney and the Department of Children and Family Services. Following years in crisis management and speech writing, Schuyler turned to publishing, founding a family-oriented magazine that remains in circulation today. A lifelong Christian, Schuyler admits to walking away from his faith at times, only to discover Jesus waiting in the shadows to guide him back where he belongs. His debut novel is inspired by the Gospels.For more info go here

Today on Life Stories I chat with Jen Boulden and Valerie Murray. We explore the heart behind Christian Homes and Family Services, a nonprofit adoption agency that supports birth mothers through pregnancy and beyond while also guiding adoptive families through the process with compassion and care. It's a beautiful ministry built on faith, love, and the belief that every life matters. To find out more about this incredible program, visit https://christianhomes.com/.Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683

Before pretty much every kid had a smartphone, Sarah Cavallero saw upset teens yelling or throwing things across the room at Teton Youth and Family Services. Now instead of acting out, she sees kids turning their suffering inward: self-harming, and suicidal as young as 9 years old. Dr. Corso, a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst, has been working with Cavallero on suicide prevention for four years. The founder of ProsperTogether.net, Corso says social media has fundamentally changed youth brain development, but we can't treat technology as all bad. The more we talk directly about suicide, he says, the more it makes it safe for people in crisis to speak up. “This is a safety issue,” he says, “just like we talk to our kids about fire safety or safe touches.” Cavallero and Corso have joined forces leading the 2025 Youth Mental Health Summit from May 14-16. The three-day event is free for kids under 18 and tickets for adults are available online.  KHOL is a sponsor of the summit. 

Send us a textIn this powerful episode of The Modern Divorce Navigator, family law attorney Billie Tarascio explores the often misunderstood world of supervised parenting time with Christie Carter, founder of Angels Monitoring AZ. Together, they dive into what happens during supervised visits, how safe exchanges work, and when therapeutic monitoring is appropriate.Whether you're navigating a high-conflict custody situation or simply want to better understand court-ordered supervision, this episode offers clear, practical guidance for families, attorneys, and anyone involved in family law mattersWhat You'll Learn in This Episode:The difference between supervised and therapeutic monitoringWhat actually happens during a visit—from safe exchanges to detailed documentationHow professional monitors maintain neutrality and de-escalate conflictReal examples of boundary violations and how they're handledWhat language you should consider including in a court orderHow monitored parenting time supports reunification, parent education, and child safetyFounded by Christie Carter, Angels Monitoring AZ is built on a mission to provide ethical, compassionate, and professional supervised monitoring services to families in transition. Her team prioritizes safety, neutrality, and high standards—helping to rebuild parent-child relationships in a supportive, structured environmentPersonal Inquiries: angelsmonitoringaz@gmail.comCase Management & Family Services: angelsmonitoringazinfo@gmail.comFacebook: Angels Monitoring AZ Instagram: @angelsmonitoring_az#SupervisedVisitation #TherapeuticMonitoring #SafeExchanges #ParentingTime #FamilyLawSupport #ModernDivorceNavigator #AngelsMonitoringAZ #CoParentingHelp #ChildSafety #CustodySupport #ArizonaFamilyLaw #BillieTarascio #ModernLaw #HighConflictCustody #DivorceHelp

Priscilla P PeterkaFamily Resource Specialist Parent Connection Family Services of Northeast WisconsinCell (920)419-9323 Email: ppeterka@familyservicesnew.orgwww.familyservicesnew.org

When I ask my male friends, "Do you trust men?" most of them say, pretty unequivocally, "No."Why does this matter?A lot of our clients come to us because they want to improve their dynamics with women. Whether they're single and dating or partnered and seeking more sex, intimacy, closeness, or harmony with their woman, there's a lot of focus on women.So what does a man's relationship to men have to do with it? Why does it matter to know whether you trust men, if you're working on healthy relationships and sex with women?For one, as Jason puts it: "As a man, if you have never experienced healthy masculine energy on the outside, it is almost certain you will have a hard time trusting it inside yourself, too."And if you don't trust your own inner masculine, it will be very challenging for you to generate sexual polarity, set boundaries, or go after the things you want (including women and intimacy).The thing is, most men don't trust men because a lot of men aren't trust-able! Millions of boys and young men are bullied, for example. Whether by a parent, sibling, or classmate, a large percentage of men experience bullying as children, teenagers, or adults.As the medical director for the LA Department of Children and Family Services puts it, "A bully gains power in a relationship by reducing another's, and shows little regard for the consequences to a victim's health or well-being."Fortunately you can reclaim your relationship to the healthy masculine, and this will directly impact you having a healthy relationship with yourself as well as women in your life.Whether you're single looking for dating advice, married looking for relationship advice, or somewhere in between, this is a vital -- and often under-explored -- topic.---Quotes from this episode:"Many men have been the recipient of masculine dysregulation.""One of the big crises for men is lack of role models.""The patriarchy is extremely damaging to men.""It's a step a lot of guys want to skip.""The sense is on-guard vigilance.""All I have to do is be here.""Men can become my allies.""Masculinity is a transmission, and without witnessing the healthy, deep versions of it is essential.""The power of groups is healing peer relationships."---Mentioned on this episode:DM 114: Bullying, resilience, and relationships

Katie and Allie's story began in childhood with unexplained clumsiness and subtle symptoms that intensified over time. After years of searching for answers, Katie was diagnosed with late-onset Tay-Sachs (LOTS), a rare neurodegenerative disease. Further testing confirmed her twin sister Allie's diagnosis as well. Despite facing daily challenges ranging from mobility issues to emotional strain, the sisters have become passionate advocates, raising over $1 million for research and awareness. With humor, grit, and the support of their family—especially their powerhouse mom—they continue to live fully and inspire the rare disease community. In this moving episode of On Rare, David Rintell, Head of Patient Advocacy at BridgeBio, and Mandy Rohrig, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at BridgeBio Gene Therapy, speak with Katie and Allie, who share their experience with late-onset Tay-Sachs. The episode explores how Tay-Sachs, typically diagnosed in childhood, can present in adulthood, the emotional toll of navigating a progressive rare disease, and the resilience of a close-knit sibling duo who've turned advocacy into action.   Diana Jussila, Director of Family Services at the National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association (NTSAD), provides essential insights into late-onset Tay-Sachs disease, a rare, progressive, neurodegenerative condition caused by mutations in the HEXA gene leading to deficiency of the Hex A enzyme. Without this enzyme, toxic substances accumulate in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in symptoms like muscle weakness, balance issues, speech difficulties, and psychiatric challenges. With no approved treatments and only supportive care available, community connection, advocacy, and ongoing research are vital lifelines for those living with late-onset Tay-Sachs disease.

Mike Stephen talks to Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin about how Chicago City Council staffers are getting more and more bonuses, learns about the impact of Chicago's Greenlight Family Services with CEO Dr. Maria Nanos, and discovers the Secret History of the Chicago-based soul band The Notations.

Crystal Daphne Ivy was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She relocated to Florida in 2010 with her husband of 17 plus years, Dr. Saul Ivy, Jr. They have a blended family of one daughter, four sons, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Family is at the top of Crystal's most important things in her life list second to God. As a child, Crystal was taught about God's faithfulness and the power of prayer which she attributes to surviving her battle with breast cancer in 2004. Crystal's faith walk has shaped her into becoming an encourager. She has grown to be spiritually bold and willing to tell her testimonies to anyone and everyone who will listen. She loves people and loves to serve wherever she is needed. She wholeheartedly believes that a desire to serve is a gift from God. When Crystal reflects over her life, she realizes that God has always placed in her careers where she could serve. Crystal worked as day care teacher where she was entrusted with the care of toddlers for working parents. Crystal worked as a health information manager at a city hospital where she and her employees were responsible for providing medical staff with medical records, etc. so that patients could receive the best medical treatment. As a social worker with Children and Family Services, Crystal served to ensure the safety of children whether in their homes or other living arrangements deemed necessary to protect children from neglect and/or abuse. Crystal has served as a debit/credit counselor for those who needed advice regarding budgeting and repairing their credit. As a business owner with Mary Kay Cosmetics, Crystal served as a beauty consultant and taught skin care and cosmetics to women ultimately helping them realize that beauty comes from within. For the past 10 years, Crystal has been a top sales manager with Kemper Life Insurance Company. She and her team provide a home service which educates the community about options to protect their families and their property in case of unforeseen events. And Finally, Crystal is an active member of Love First Christian Center in Riverview, Florida, under the leadership of Pastor Jomo Cousins and his wife, Co-Pastor Charmaine Cousins. Crystal serves in the Hospitality, Cancer, and Women's Ministries.

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

This week, Drewby and Yergy head to Euclid, Ohio, to discuss the case of 4-year-old Aniya Day Garrett, whose cries for help fell on deaf ears. Nobody... Not teachers, not police, not even CPS took this little girl's cries for help seriously. Even after she reached out to her father for help, the powers that be didn't take him seriously either. In the end, she fell victim to one of the most common monsters we see here on The Misery Machine... Mom, and her new man.  Support Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Join Our Facebook Group: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #themiserymachine #podcast #truecrime Source Material: Obituary | Aniya Marie Day-Garrett | Strowder's Funeral Home Disciplinary letters show failures by children services in death of Aniya Day-Garrett | Fox 8 Cleveland WJW State shuts down daycare accused of failing to report abuse of Aniya Day UPDATE: Mickhal Garrett awarded $3M after filing suit that claimed inaction by Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services contributed to Aniya Day-Garrett's murder Cuyahoga County Settles For $3 Million In Aniya Day-Garrett's Death Euclid day care attended by Aniya Day-Garrett will shut down in March | wkyc.com Daycare owner who failed to report abuse of Aniya Day-Garrett before her murder must pay $15 million to father, appeals court rules - cleveland.com Mother and her boyfriend sentenced to life in prison for killing 4-year-old Aniya Day-Garrett Ohio Supreme Court declines to hear case of mother's boyfriend convicted in murder of Euclid's Aniya Day-Garrett From murder to verdict: Timeline of events leading to murder of Aniya Day-Garrett Jury finds mother, her boyfriend guilty in 4-year-old Aniya Day-Garrett's murder | wkyc.com Mother, boyfriend guilty on all charges for death of 4-year-old Aniya Day-Garrett Mom, boyfriend get life in prison in death of abused and emaciated 4-year-old 'Some justice has been served' | Mother, boyfriend sentenced in murder of 4-year-old girl

In the fifth episode of season 4, guest host Faryal Popal, LMFT, Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program student at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI), sits down with Jes Aced, BA, EdSpec-MM, CLAD, AAAS, ELAE to explore how schools are uniquely positioned to address the complex relationship between teen mental health and social media use. Together, they discuss strategies educators can implement to support students navigating digital spaces, as well as innovative approaches for integrating mental health practices into classrooms. The conversation highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between educators, mental health professionals, and families in building resilience and emotional well-being among adolescents. Tune in to learn how an integrated care model can transform the future of youth mental health in education.About the Special Host:Faryal Popal, LMFT, began her academic journey at California State University, East Bay, in 2005, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2009. She then pursued a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy, which she completed in 2011. Since then, she has been dedicated to the mental health field, providing therapeutic services and advocating for comprehensive mental health support. Faryal began her career at Union City Youth and Family Services, working with families, children, and court-mandated youth. She later transitioned to school-based mental health, focusing on delivering counseling services, consulting with educators, and supporting families in East San Jose. In her current role at Campbell Union School District, she serves as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and an integral member of the IEP team, collaborating to develop treatment goals that align with students' educational plans while providing crisis intervention. As a member of the District Crisis Team, she plays a critical role in responding to crises, including suicide and homicide risk assessments. Additionally, she provides training to administrators and staff on suicide prevention protocols. She remains actively engaged in improving mental health services within the district, working alongside leadership to implement strategies that enhance student well-being. In addition to her extensive experience, she is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is a certified Parent Project Facilitator.About the Guest:Jes Aced, BA, EdSpec-MM, CLAD, AAAS, ELAE, as an experienced educator dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for all learners, I have built my career advocating for accessible and inclusive learning environments. My work centers on empowering students by ensuring the curriculum is accessible to those with learning disabilities, integrating innovative teaching strategies, and utilizing tools such as speech-to-text and other assistive technologies to support diverse learning needs. I have witnessed the profound influence of social media on the mental health of teens, particularly those navigating depression. By fostering healthy boundaries and promoting collaboration between schools and families, I aim to equip students with the skills to thoughtfully navigate the complexities of technology and digital spaces. My perspective as an educator is enriched by my lived experience as a neurodivergent individual. Managing ADHD, dyslexia, and auditory and gross motor processing disorders has given me a unique understanding of the challenges students face in today's educational landscape. Growing up with the support of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in the public education system sparked my passion for advocacy and innovation. These experiences drive my commitment to contributing to meaningful conversations about supporting neurodivergent individuals and addressing the evolving challenges faced by today's youth.

On today's program, Pat O'Donnell (of YoungWilliams) continues a very special topic, with another very special group of women on the podcast.  Join On Location as we conclude our salute to Women's History Month highlighting women who continue to make significant contributions to the child support program.  Pat talks with Konitra Jack (Child Support Enforcement Director, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services) and Erin Frisch (Michigan's Title IV-D Director and Director of the Office of Child Support).  Konitra and Erin share who inspires and energizes them personally and professionally, and more.  This episode comes to you from Louisianna, Michigan and Illinois.

Luke 13:1-9At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'” Did they deserve it? That's the question Jesus poses to the people reporting a recent tragedy under Pilate's rule. Pilate was known for cruelty and contempt toward the Jewish people. In this case, some Galilean Jews were offering sacrifices when Pilate's soldiers slaughtered them, mixing their blood with that of the animals, desecrating the sacred rite. It was as if Pilate declared: these Jews are no more human than the animals they slaughter.The people came to Jesus to confirm what they already believed: “Did you hear about that horrible death? What did they do to deserve it?” They wanted an explanation. Surely, there had to be a reason. The common explanation was sin: divine punishment.That was the belief of the day: suffering was punishment for sin, your own or your parents'. But Jesus pushes back. It's not their sins that caused this, which feels like good news—until Jesus warns them not to think themselves better. To drive the point home, he tells them about a tower that collapsed and killed 18 Jerusalemites. Did they deserve it? Were they worse sinners than others? No, Jesus says, but unless you repent, you will perish just as they did. Is that a threat? A promise? A prophecy? Jesus doesn't explain, just like he doesn't explain suffering. Isn't that hard for us too? We long for explanations for suffering—ours and others'. We're often gentler on ourselves, but when it comes to others' pain, we're tempted to look for fault.When tragedy strikes—a plane crash, a tornado, a terrible car accident—we don't think those people had it coming. We think: tragedy, bad luck, not divine punishment.But what about poverty? What about homelessness? We see a tent compound, trash scattered around. We might not say they deserve it—but we think: if only they made better decisions, if they avoided addiction, if they took care of their health, maybe they wouldn't be in this situation.This year, we've been learning and talking a lot about homelessness, especially here in Indianapolis. Our high school students and I have spent this semester diving deep into the issue as part of their Sunday School curriculum. The advocacy workshop we hosted focused on two Indiana bills addressing homelessness. So I was eager to attend the Spring Faith and Action conference at Christian Theological Seminary, which focused on that very topic.The keynote speaker was an author and activist I hadn't heard of before: David Ambroz. He started by sharing a bit of his own story. Born into homelessness, he, his mother, and two siblings roamed the streets of New York City, living mainly in Grand Central station. He recounted one particularly cold night, Christmas Eve, when David was just five years old. It's frigid and they are wandering the streets for hours, ice forming on their faces, as his mom flees the people she believes are chasing them. It's only after David has peed himself and pleaded profusely that she relents and they go to a men's shelter, where they are given a single cot for all four of them. Laying on that cot, David remembers his mom, the caring mom now, asking him “do you want this”, gesturing to the lost souls in the shelter. “No!” he cried. “I don't want this. I don't want to sit here in my own urine, surrounded by nameless, homeless shadows.” But in the dark, Mom sparks something: hope. I'm five, but I know this—I want a roof, a bed, blankets. I want to protect my siblings. I want to protect Mom from mom. “Good,” Mom says softly. For a moment, she's the mom I dream of. We pile together on the cot, and I fall asleep, held by hope.The story was as powerful as the rest of his keynote. David talked about his time in foster care, he offered solutions, but he ended by asking, “Do you think I deserved to be homeless, to be grinded up in the foster care system? Do you think the people who live on your streets deserve such suffering? No! But until we change our thinking, until we don't believe these people and children in utter poverty deserve this, nothing will change. We have the capability to end childhood homelessness and poverty—we just don't have the willpower, because in our heart of hearts, we still believe they deserve this.”That's exactly what Jesus is getting at. People living in poverty, living on the streets, are not suffering because of divine judgment. Jesus may not explain why suffering happens, but he makes clear it is not a punishment from God for one's sins. That's not to say sin doesn't have consequences; surely it does. But I would ask: What sin is worse—the ones that contributed to being homeless, or having the means and resources to help but choosing not to? And I don't just mean individually, but as a community, as a society.In greater Indianapolis, we have spent over a billion dollars on sports stadiums and parks in the last 15 years, most of it coming from tax increases. Not even 4% of that has gone toward housing and homelessness. If anything, people are suffering more from our sin: from the slow, unjust systems we have created, from having the means as a society and as individuals to help, but choosing not to. From the self-righteous thought that they must be worse sinners than us, that they deserve this suffering.Yet, thankfully, the trying task of deciding which sins are worse, which deserve punishment and which don't, is an unnecessary and unfruitful task—one Jesus is uninterested in.What I hear Jesus saying is: the people you assume are worse sinners than you are not. And unless we repent, unless we change our thinking, unless we turn to help, we will suffer too. As Bonhoeffer said, “We are bound together by a chain of suffering which unites us with one another and with God.” Because God doesn't explain suffering; God shares it. To redeem all the suffering of the world, God did not command suffering to stop but rather became flesh in Jesus and suffered with us. It is by his suffering that we are redeemed and given the opportunity to lessen the suffering of others.We are the fig tree, given another year, another day, another moment to bear fruit, to lessen the suffering of others. In Jesus' eyes, we are not a waste of soil, of resources, opportunities, or time—and neither are those who live in tents, stay in cars, or sleep on sidewalks.What does bearing fruit look like in our time and place? It's simple, but not easy: It means doing what we can and acknowledging the humanity of those suffering around us. If you're wondering how to begin, here are some ways you can bear fruit in this community. Next Sunday after second service, I am taking our high school students to Horizon House, an organization dedicated to helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness get permanent, safe housing. We'll get a tour and make some sandwiches for their guests. You are welcome to come; just please let me know if you're interested.And if that doesn't work for you, consider reaching out to Lutheran Child and Family Services. They run the only long-term housing program for kids aging out of the foster system, many of whom are at the highest risk for homelessness. I learned just this week that their on-site pantry is running low and could use food donations. If you can help, reach out to me, and I'll connect you with the right person.Lastly, I leave you with the same charge David Ambroz gave at the conference: we may not be able to help every person we see on the streets, and he can't either. But he does acknowledge them. He looks them in the eye and says, “I'm sorry I can't help today, but good luck.” If nothing else, we can do that—acknowledge their humanity with kindness and respect. When that happened to David as a child, it let him know, if even for a moment that he mattered, that there was hope. Our neighbors certainly deserve that. And what about us, do we deserve all that God gives us? The second chances, the boundless love, the endless grace with no strings attached? No. But thank God we don't get what we deserve. Amen.

Celebrating Women's History Month: Menstrual Equity and Inclusion with Holly Johnston and Carly Pistawka In this special episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, celebrating Women's History Month, Alycia Anderson discusses the importance of menstrual equity and inclusion with guests Holly Johnston and Carly Pistawka. Holly is the founder of 'Periods for All,' a nonprofit organization dedicated to making menstrual products accessible for marginalized communities, while Carly is an advocate in the menstrual health community and co-founder of Moon Time Sisters BC (now Moon Time Connections). The conversation covers their personal journeys, advocacy work, barriers faced by disabled individuals in managing menstruation, and future initiatives aimed at improving menstrual health accessibility. Core Messages & Essential Lessons of this Episode

Tune in this month to Teens Tap In for a heartfelt episode as co-hosts Kate and Grace sit down to celebrate the incredible career of Mary Birks, Executive Director of Outreach Teen & Family Services. After leading Outreach for more than a decade, Mary is preparing for her next big adventure - retirement! This episode reflects on her journey, the challenges she's overcome, and the lasting impact she's made in our local communities. Together, Kate and Grace dive into Mary's favorite memories, lessons learned, and what's next for both her & Outreach. Directed and produced by: Maggie Zangara

In this Bell Work Talk, Dr. Vela will discuss risks and issues experienced by children that face homelessness. She will explain suitcase living and treatment leading to a hopeful mindset with an emphasis on trauma informed care. She will give examples of how to add hope to the interactions that forensic nurses have with patients. Dr. Christina Vela, CEO of St. Jude's Ranch for Children, has 20+ years of human and social service experience that includes administering foster care, homeless, and supportive services to children, transition age-youth, and their families. She has worked at the non-profit level as the Executive Director and the Chief Program Officer for St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a Manager for the Clark County Department of Family Services, Social Services Program Specialist for the State of Nevada and a Program Specialist for the Federal Administration for Children and Families-Children's Bureau in Washington DC. More recently, Christina has been the Coordinator for the State of Nevada Coalition to Prevent the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Christina holds her Doctorate in Public Policy and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She is a proud alumnus of Emerge Nevada, Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2013, Jameson Fellows and Clark County Leadership Academy. Survey: We'd really like to learn more about what you think of the podcast, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes. https://forms.gle/dos4a11PEmCgth7Z8 (EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING)

Jordan Heiden and Tom Hughes from Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) discussing their goals and legislation at the Vermont Statehouse.Followed by Mark Redmond. The Executive Director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services discussing their annual Sleep out fundraiser and more importantly their work to help young kids get back on their feet with job training, life supports and housing when necessary.

On today's program, Pat O'Donnell (of YoungWilliams) brings a very special topic, and a very special group of women to the podcast.  Some of our listeners may be fully aware of Women's History Month, or maybe you are just getting acquainted with this celebration that happens every March. On Location comes to you today from Wyoming, Connecticut, and Wisconsin.  Featured today are women that have made significant contributions to the child support program. Welcomed to the podcast are Janelle Bergener, (Project Manager for the Wyoming Department of Family Services), Katie Kenney (Senior Manager for Professional Development with the National Child Support Engagement Association), and Connie Chesnick (the Administrator of the Division of Family and Economic Security in the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and President -Elect of NCSEA).  Listen as each share their pathways, their careers and so much more.

The Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Services has an online portal that allows individuals and families to apply for services completely online. The portal allows applicants to sign electronically when submitting their application for services. The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services offers a number of Read More Shared by United Resource Connection March 16, 2025

Prosper Canada has created a “lump sum payment toolkit” in anticipation of a significant settlement for First Nations Communities.  It is called the “First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle” Settlement. Carrie Wong, Learning and Training Senior Manager, joins us to tell us more about the toolkit. Connect with Prosper Canada on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Blake is the CEO of the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services 

Mariska and I were overjoyed to have Team Maigler Hall of Famer DaMonique back on the show. She works for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in helping to connect children and families with resources. This was a really enlightening conversation about the help DCFS can provide as opposed to the negative cliches that people think of when they hear about Child Protective Services.

State auditor and secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services speak to lawmakers about report on foster kids sleeping in state office buildings, Congressman Andy Barr's camp responds to reports he's planning to run for Senator Mitch McConnell's seat, and Louisville's chamber of commerce unveils its five-year strategic plan to create new jobs and attract new people to the region. 

Philanthropy in America is undergoing a rapid transformation, reshaping the way nonprofit professionals approach fundraising and communications. In this episode, host Spencer Brooks sits down with Ryan Deckert from Morrison Child and Family Services to explore how these changes impact marketing and development strategies. If you're a fundraiser or communications professional navigating evolving donor trends, this episode offers actionable insights and practical tips to help you understand and evolve along with the philanthropic landscape. About the guest Ryan Deckert is the Vice President of Development at Morrison Child & Family Services, former president of the Oregon Business Association, and a former Oregon State Senator representing District 14. With a background in business development at Hewlett-Packard and an architecture firm, Ryan entered politics as the youngest member of the Oregon House of Representatives in 1997 and later served in the Oregon Senate until 2007. He and his wife Inga live in Beaverton with their three daughters. Resources 2025 Nonprofit Trends: AI, Accessibility, and Team Well-Being: https://brooks.digital/health-nonprofit-digital-marketing/2025-nonprofit-trends/ Contact Ryan Website: https://morrisonkids.org/Morrison Child and Family Services Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morrisonkids/Morrison Child and Family Services LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morrison-child-and-family-services/?trk=hb_tab_compy_id_1168847Morrison Child and Family Services Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Morrisoncfs/

Happy Monday friends and neighbors! Today the ladies are taking the lead! We have a special episode this morning to preview something exciting and for the benefit of young people in 2025. Our friends Natalie Bonner, founder of Talented Tenth Social Services, Inc. and Lebia Chatman, founder of Creating Space LLC are joined by Kimberly Svevo of LCFS (Lutheran Child & Family Services) to talk about the All Youth Leadership Conference. This will be the first conversation about this upcoming initiative that the public can learn about. Working with our very own East Aurora School District 131, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for the youth of Aurora! Let's get ready to learn! Here's the news: - Join the City of Aurora's Human Relations Commission today and let your voice and ideas be heard! The commission conducts in-person meetings at City Hall in the Council Chambers Conference Room at 5:30 pm, every second Thursday of the month. See the flyer for more details and visit the website to apply here: https://www.aurora-il.org/1078/Human-Relations-Commission - Visit Alive Aurora every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Drop In Space for 5th through 12th graders! From 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm there will be a variety of activities to take part in, teen-led and teen-driven. See the flyer for more details and follow the Alive Center on Facebook and Instagram! Have a great rest of the day! Good Morning Aurora will return with more news, weather and the very best of Aurora. Subscribe to the show on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/GoodMorningAuroraPodcast The second largest city's first daily news podcast is here. Tune in 5 days a week, Monday thru Friday from 9:00 to 9:30 am. Make sure to like and subscribe to stay updated on all things Aurora. Threads: https://www.threads.net/@goodmorningaurorailInstagram: goodmorningaurorailSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dVweK5Zc4uPVQQ0Fp1vEP...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../good-morning.../id1513229463Anchor: https://anchor.fm/goodmorningauroraACTV (Aurora Community Television): https://www.aurora-il.org/309/Aurora-Community-TV #positivevibes #positiveenergy #kanecountyil #bataviail #genevail #stcharlesil #saintcharlesil #elginil #northaurorail #auroraillinois #cityofaurorail #auroramedia #auroranews #goodmorningaurora #morningnews #morningshow #monday #talentedtenthsocialservices

Shari Franke's memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom, begins with a striking and unforgettable image: the moment police forced open the front door of her family's home with a battering ram. Shari, the eldest daughter of the once-popular family vloggers behind the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, captured the moment on her phone and shared it on Instagram, writing, “This moment, this climax of my family's descent into madness, needed to be documented, preserved, and shared on social media.” It was an act of reclamation—an attempt to wrest back control of her narrative from a life shaped by forced smiles and staged perfection. Today, with the release of her memoir through Gallery Books, Shari pulls back the curtain on the tabloid nightmare her family became. Ruby Franke, Shari's mother and the matriarch of the 8 Passengers channel, was arrested in 2023 along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The two women were charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse after Shari's younger brother escaped from Hildebrandt's home and begged a neighbor for help. The boy, visibly malnourished and injured, revealed a harrowing story of being tied up with ropes and deprived of food. Inside Hildebrandt's home, police discovered Shari's younger sister in a similarly emaciated and injured state. The public's collective gasp over these revelations was only the beginning. In The House of My Mother, Shari details how the Franke family's carefully curated image of wholesomeness and faith unraveled behind the scenes, exposing the dark underbelly of a household where control, manipulation, and emotional abuse reigned. Before the arrests, the Frankes had amassed nearly 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube, drawn to their idyllic portrayal of life as a large Mormon family. But Shari's memoir reveals a far different reality. The transformation, she writes, began when Hildebrandt, a counselor with controversial methods, entered their lives. Hildebrandt's influence over Ruby grew rapidly, shifting the family dynamics in alarming ways. “She was our family's very own cult leader,” Shari writes. “She turned my mother into a fawning, starstruck acolyte who lapped up her every demented word like it was holy water.” Kevin Franke, Ruby's husband and Shari's father, was gradually pushed out of the household. According to Shari, Hildebrandt became the puppet master, dictating the family's every move under the guise of therapy and spiritual guidance. In a particularly disturbing episode, Hildebrandt took over Shari's bedroom, filling it with candles and massage oils. Shari's suspicions about a deeper relationship between her mother and Hildebrandt were confirmed one night when she saw Ruby sneaking out of her former room. “It was equal parts fascinating and horrific,” Shari recalls. “Two women who publicly condemned queerness in their ConneXions Classroom videos, while embodying it privately.” Hildebrandt's teachings, presented as strict moral guidelines, included extreme punishments and bizarre rituals. Shari writes that these teachings justified the alienation of Kevin, who was sent away to “work on his shortcomings” while the children's welfare deteriorated. The memoir's most heart-wrenching moments recount Shari's growing concern for her siblings. Isolated from her family while attending Brigham Young University, Shari made repeated calls to the Department of Child and Family Services, desperate to have someone intervene. But it wasn't until her brother's dramatic escape that authorities finally acted. Ruby and Hildebrandt's subsequent arrest and guilty pleas to four counts of aggravated child abuse brought an end to their reign of terror. Each woman was sentenced to four to thirty years in prison—a grim chapter in a story that continues to haunt the public consciousness. Shari, now 21, has emerged as an advocate against the exploitation of children in family vlogging. Her experiences growing up in front of a camera have shaped her into a vocal critic of the practice, which she believes inherently violates children's privacy and well-being. In her memoir and public statements, Shari argues there is no ethical way to monetize a child's life online. “Making money off your kids with no oversight as to how much the kids are getting paid—there's no way to do that well,” she asserts. Shari has taken her advocacy to the legislative level, supporting bills that protect underage influencers by guaranteeing them a share of their earnings. “It should be 100 percent,” she insists, though she adds that even financial compensation cannot undo the psychological damage inflicted by growing up with one's life broadcast to millions. The memoir also sheds light on Shari's personal struggles, from suicidal ideation to a damaging relationship with a married church elder. She writes candidly about feeling unloved as a child and grappling with the immense pressure to perform for the camera. Her journals and old family vlogs, which she reviewed while writing the book, offer a painful juxtaposition: moments of apparent happiness on screen contrasted with behind-the-scenes misery. “It felt like it wasn't my life,” Shari reflects. “The vlogs show smiling faces, but all I remember is the yelling between takes.” Shari's relationship with her father has begun to heal in the wake of the arrests. Kevin Franke, who describes his “invitation to leave” the family as “a hellish and abusive experience,” has acknowledged his role in the family's exploitation. Shari appreciates his willingness to take responsibility, even as she remains critical of his past inaction. Her relationship with Ruby, however, is irreparable. In a letter sent from prison, Ruby reminisced about Shari's childhood but failed to address the abuse. Shari's response was resolute: “I don't feel an emotional tie to her anymore.” With the release of The House of My Mother, Shari hopes to close a painful chapter of her life while advocating for change. She's on track to graduate from BYU with a degree in political science and plans to work in data analytics—far from the spotlight she once lived under. Her engagement, announced on Instagram, marks a new beginning. Yet, Shari's mission to protect children from the harms of family vlogging continues. “I hope that by sharing my story, other child influencers will see that their voices matter,” she writes. “And that it's worth whatever bridges they might burn.” Shari's memoir serves as both a personal catharsis and a rallying cry against a billion-dollar industry that thrives on the commodification of childhood. The question remains: will her story be the wake-up call needed to spark meaningful change, or will the cycle of exploitation continue? The public, it seems, is just beginning to reckon with the consequences of a life lived online. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Shari Franke's memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom, begins with a striking and unforgettable image: the moment police forced open the front door of her family's home with a battering ram. Shari, the eldest daughter of the once-popular family vloggers behind the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, captured the moment on her phone and shared it on Instagram, writing, “This moment, this climax of my family's descent into madness, needed to be documented, preserved, and shared on social media.” It was an act of reclamation—an attempt to wrest back control of her narrative from a life shaped by forced smiles and staged perfection. Today, with the release of her memoir through Gallery Books, Shari pulls back the curtain on the tabloid nightmare her family became. Ruby Franke, Shari's mother and the matriarch of the 8 Passengers channel, was arrested in 2023 along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The two women were charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse after Shari's younger brother escaped from Hildebrandt's home and begged a neighbor for help. The boy, visibly malnourished and injured, revealed a harrowing story of being tied up with ropes and deprived of food. Inside Hildebrandt's home, police discovered Shari's younger sister in a similarly emaciated and injured state. The public's collective gasp over these revelations was only the beginning. In The House of My Mother, Shari details how the Franke family's carefully curated image of wholesomeness and faith unraveled behind the scenes, exposing the dark underbelly of a household where control, manipulation, and emotional abuse reigned. Before the arrests, the Frankes had amassed nearly 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube, drawn to their idyllic portrayal of life as a large Mormon family. But Shari's memoir reveals a far different reality. The transformation, she writes, began when Hildebrandt, a counselor with controversial methods, entered their lives. Hildebrandt's influence over Ruby grew rapidly, shifting the family dynamics in alarming ways. “She was our family's very own cult leader,” Shari writes. “She turned my mother into a fawning, starstruck acolyte who lapped up her every demented word like it was holy water.” Kevin Franke, Ruby's husband and Shari's father, was gradually pushed out of the household. According to Shari, Hildebrandt became the puppet master, dictating the family's every move under the guise of therapy and spiritual guidance. In a particularly disturbing episode, Hildebrandt took over Shari's bedroom, filling it with candles and massage oils. Shari's suspicions about a deeper relationship between her mother and Hildebrandt were confirmed one night when she saw Ruby sneaking out of her former room. “It was equal parts fascinating and horrific,” Shari recalls. “Two women who publicly condemned queerness in their ConneXions Classroom videos, while embodying it privately.” Hildebrandt's teachings, presented as strict moral guidelines, included extreme punishments and bizarre rituals. Shari writes that these teachings justified the alienation of Kevin, who was sent away to “work on his shortcomings” while the children's welfare deteriorated. The memoir's most heart-wrenching moments recount Shari's growing concern for her siblings. Isolated from her family while attending Brigham Young University, Shari made repeated calls to the Department of Child and Family Services, desperate to have someone intervene. But it wasn't until her brother's dramatic escape that authorities finally acted. Ruby and Hildebrandt's subsequent arrest and guilty pleas to four counts of aggravated child abuse brought an end to their reign of terror. Each woman was sentenced to four to thirty years in prison—a grim chapter in a story that continues to haunt the public consciousness. Shari, now 21, has emerged as an advocate against the exploitation of children in family vlogging. Her experiences growing up in front of a camera have shaped her into a vocal critic of the practice, which she believes inherently violates children's privacy and well-being. In her memoir and public statements, Shari argues there is no ethical way to monetize a child's life online. “Making money off your kids with no oversight as to how much the kids are getting paid—there's no way to do that well,” she asserts. Shari has taken her advocacy to the legislative level, supporting bills that protect underage influencers by guaranteeing them a share of their earnings. “It should be 100 percent,” she insists, though she adds that even financial compensation cannot undo the psychological damage inflicted by growing up with one's life broadcast to millions. The memoir also sheds light on Shari's personal struggles, from suicidal ideation to a damaging relationship with a married church elder. She writes candidly about feeling unloved as a child and grappling with the immense pressure to perform for the camera. Her journals and old family vlogs, which she reviewed while writing the book, offer a painful juxtaposition: moments of apparent happiness on screen contrasted with behind-the-scenes misery. “It felt like it wasn't my life,” Shari reflects. “The vlogs show smiling faces, but all I remember is the yelling between takes.” Shari's relationship with her father has begun to heal in the wake of the arrests. Kevin Franke, who describes his “invitation to leave” the family as “a hellish and abusive experience,” has acknowledged his role in the family's exploitation. Shari appreciates his willingness to take responsibility, even as she remains critical of his past inaction. Her relationship with Ruby, however, is irreparable. In a letter sent from prison, Ruby reminisced about Shari's childhood but failed to address the abuse. Shari's response was resolute: “I don't feel an emotional tie to her anymore.” With the release of The House of My Mother, Shari hopes to close a painful chapter of her life while advocating for change. She's on track to graduate from BYU with a degree in political science and plans to work in data analytics—far from the spotlight she once lived under. Her engagement, announced on Instagram, marks a new beginning. Yet, Shari's mission to protect children from the harms of family vlogging continues. “I hope that by sharing my story, other child influencers will see that their voices matter,” she writes. “And that it's worth whatever bridges they might burn.” Shari's memoir serves as both a personal catharsis and a rallying cry against a billion-dollar industry that thrives on the commodification of childhood. The question remains: will her story be the wake-up call needed to spark meaningful change, or will the cycle of exploitation continue? The public, it seems, is just beginning to reckon with the consequences of a life lived online. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

363 Taking Inventory As the New Year begins it's time for us to take a step back and reflect on the stories, messages, and values we want to bring into 2025. Just like tending to a garden by removing weeds and adding nutrients, we must also tend to the garden of our lives.  In this episode Sarah Elkins, Emily McVey, and Chris Wang discuss the stories that shaped them into who they are as well as how they have chosen to tell their stories through thoughtful and meaningful actions.   Highlights What are the coping strategies you developed? What connects you to other people? Even if you've never seen them.  What skills did you develop from a chaotic situation that manifested into a valuable tool for you to use throughout life? What generational curses are you breaking? What situations will you never allow others to endure because you had to endure them? Remember to step back and look at the bigger picture, instead of viewing the situation through a lens or holding the subjects to a higher standard. What brings you peace and calm?   Quotes “If you play music, if you play an instrument, and you listen to the music, it's almost like you're having a dialogue with this person even though you've never seen them.” - Chris Wang “We are not doing this to our children.” -Emily McVey “There's the traditional definition of success which is more tied to- you know- maybe more defined by money and career and that kind of stuff, which I kind of pursued and did my share, but then I realized it's incomplete. I was still deeply unhappy.” -Chris Wang “Don't go out on the floor and ask the girls to work on their issues if you're not willing to work on your own.” -Emily McVey   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What inventory are you gonna take about what you ran from or what you're running toward? And who in your life needs to hear from you? That you believe in them and that you're there to support them and to help them move into whatever they're running toward. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Emily Emily has lived in Montana her whole life. She and her husband, Mike, raised their three children in Helena, participating in several extracurricular activities such as Boy Scouts and all of the sports. Emily's background includes a formal education in culinary arts, sociology, and public relations, and she has a master's degree in public administration. Her nonprofit experience includes working at Florence Crittenton Home, Montana Youth Homes under Rocky Mountain Development Council, as well as volunteering for many other nonprofit organizations and is a suicide prevention QPR trainer. Emily worked for the State of Montana for six years and continues to contract services for licensing kinship foster families for Child and Family Services. Emily also now does home visits for the FLEX student exchange program. Emily was glad to return to the nonprofit sector in 2019 to work alongside other nonprofits to make meaningful change happen in the tri-county area. When she is out of the office, Emily enjoys cake decorating, and trying out new hobbies by taking adult education classes. Be sure to check out Emily's Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! As well as the links she provided for more information about ACE; Violence Prevention, ACE Quiz, and Know Your Resilience Score.  About Chris Not Available.   About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I've realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don't realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they're sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

In today's deep dive, we'll listen to a conversation with the head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services about the department's progress and future changes. 

On this episode of Score Values, Alex Kuhn chats with Marquiesha Grant of Marillac St. Vincent Family Services about their upcoming Holiday Store event.

Guest Name: Cuong Do Title: President & CEO Website: https://bioviepharma.com/ Ticker: BIVI Bio: Cuong Do President & Chief Executive Officer​ Cuong Do, MBA, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BioVie Inc., a clinical-stage company developing innovative drug therapies for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders and advanced liver disease. Do is a highly experienced life sciences executive, who has served in various leadership roles at multiple global enterprises and publicly owned companies over the past 35 years. Prior to his appointment with BioVie, Do was President of Samsung Global Strategy Group where he helped to set the strategic direction for the company's diverse business portfolio, including the growth of its biologics businesses. He was previously the Chief Strategy Officer for Merck, a leading US pharmaceutical company on the Fortune 500 list, where he played a key role in defining the company's strategy, including its focus on oncology and creating its leading position with the anti-PD-1 therapy, pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®). Do also held leadership roles in the technology space at Lenovo and Tyco Electronics, and was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, where he spent 17 years helping to build the company's healthcare, high tech and corporate finance practices. Do is an active entrepreneur who founded Callidus Biopharma (a biotech company working in rare diseases that was acquired by Amicus Therapeutics in 2013), Lysodel Therapeutics (a company developing an innovative pharmaceutical product for obesity), and M6P Therapeutics (a company developing gene and enzyme replacement therapies for rare lysosomal storage disorders). He is a founding member of Social Impact Partners, which is a purpose-driven alliance of global experts and young change-makers working to fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Do also serves as a member of multiple advisory boards to companies and academic institutions, including Seneca Therapeutics, Stanford Medicine, The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, Fulbright University Vietnam, Ideal Semiconductors, ILiAD Biotechnologies and others. Do is also a passionate philanthropist, particularly in autism and education. He founded Profectum Foundation, which specializes in providing training and education for professionals and parents of children with autism or special needs. He also founded Identifor, Inc. and the Identifor Foundation to help autistic teenagers identify abilities and strengths to make the transition to adulthood. He currently or formerly served on the boards of Celebrate the Children (a school for children with special needs in New Jersey), Autism Speaks and its Executive, Strategy, Science and Family Services committees and Caring for Cambodia (a non-profit working to educate 7,000+ K-12 students in Siem Reap, Cambodia). He holds a BA from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smartmoneycircle/support

Adam was adopted from Huentitán el Alto, in Jalisco, Mexico. Ron and Wendy had already adopted a son so they planned on adopting a girl as their second child to be named Amy but she suddenly passed away and out of distraught they told the lawyer to give them the next baby available, me. They changed names from Amy to Adam.Adam always felt different, like from another world. He exhibited signs of abandonment issues early on never allowing his mother to leave him without crying. In hindsight, he can say it was because he didn't think she would come back. Not in the sense that other kids cry for their mom to pick them up, he thought she might never come back. This fear of being left developed well into his teens and adulthood in the form of abusive relationships which he would never leave and manifested into several life-threatening situations. To couple this, Adam experienced an Identity crisis and at the age of 17, he felt as if his name no longer fit him. He wasn't Juan Carlos anymore (his birth name) but he no longer felt comfortable claiming the full name his adoptive parents gave him. He legally changed it to keep Adam and to have Esparza Plascencia as his surname, given to him at birth. Maybe he could feel as if he was a part of both. He knew his name because he kept his adoption certificate, more or less a one-page contract that his birth mother signed in pen, Maria De Jesus Esparza Plascencia. At times when he was left alone with his thoughts he would trace the engraved ink on the parchment to bring him closer to her. To try and feel her sentiment. Adam works as Director for a CBO (Community Based Organization) specializing in youth outreach in elementary schools through the Queens, NY borough and is licensed by the OCFS (The Office of Children and Family Services). As his journey to reunion continues he is also happy to announce a new position as one of several Ambassadors representing The Adoptee Mentoring Society, a community giving light to the adoptee narrative and providing support for adoptees, by adoptees. Through his catharsis and above all else he has come to the realization that the road back to oneself is not external after all but inside each and everyone of us just the same. For Adam, it was time to let go of “being let go of”. By sharing his own healing process he hopes to enable other adoptees along the winding road we all have in common. You Should Be Grateful: Stories of Race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption by Angela Tucker Here is a link to order her book: bookshop link.Magic Mind Adoptee 20 LinkUSE THE CODE AND LINK TO RECEIVE 20% OFF YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONmagicmind.com/adoptee20See us on March 8th in Atascadero, California Leave your email for more info!Thank you to our Patreons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting is on January 4th @ 1 pm ET.Support the showTo support the show - Patreon.

Some Illinois residents checking the mail have been in for a big surprise: A letter confirming that their medical debt has been erased. Reset learns more about the program and looks at other recent efforts to erase medical debt in our area with Elizabeth Whitehorn, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Meet Sarah and Angie. These visionary leaders from Sunbeam Family Services in Oklahoma City are sharing how they've woven trauma-informed, strength-based principles into every part of their org. From rethinking fundraising and storytelling to centering community relationships with intentional language and deep listening, they're showing how nonprofits can truly build a culture of care (that's filled with hope!). Tune in to discover how to embed these transformative principles into your own work.

Five individuals have been arrested in Carrollton, Kentucky, after a horrifying discovery by law enforcement of a 2-year-old boy found "unclothed" in a caged area, littered with urine and feces. The arrests come after a community tip led police to a property on 7th Street. Detective Dave Roberts of the Carrollton Police Department, alongside Sgt. Taylor, responded to reports on Monday, November 4. “Upon arrival, Detective Roberts and Sgt. Taylor located a male child, unclothed and under the age of 3, that was locked behind a wooden and metal enclosure that was secured with a padlock,” the police explained in a Facebook post. The individuals arrested and facing charges of criminal abuse and wanton endangerment include Brenda Chilton, 71; William Mahoney, 72; Codey Johnson, 29; Tammy Simmons, 52; all of Carrollton; and Shelby Turocy, 28, of Ghent, Kentucky. Turocy also faces additional charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana. Police secured the scene and executed a search warrant with the help of Chief Willhoite, Assistant Chief Dews, and Sgt. Dews. Two children were subsequently removed from the home by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. In an interview with local news outlet WDRB, Detective Roberts described the appalling conditions. "A child was behind there, completely unclothed," he said. "There was feces, and then you're in that contained area." Roberts also revealed that a delivery driver had initially alerted authorities after observing a child locked in what appeared to be a cage. Additionally, eight to ten dogs, described as being in poor health, were found at the property. The Carrollton Police Department has not confirmed whether the boy is related to any of the five suspects, who are currently being held at The Carroll County Detention Center. Detective Roberts stressed the critical role the community plays in protecting children. “If you see something, say something,” he stated to WDRB. “This case serves as a reminder of the vital role that bystanders can play in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.” The investigation into this disturbing case is ongoing. The Carrollton Police Department has yet to provide additional comments and did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for more details. #CrimeNews #ChildSafety #KentuckyNews #CommunityTip #CarrolltonPolice #ChildAbuse #BreakingNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Five individuals have been arrested in Carrollton, Kentucky, after a horrifying discovery by law enforcement of a 2-year-old boy found "unclothed" in a caged area, littered with urine and feces. The arrests come after a community tip led police to a property on 7th Street. Detective Dave Roberts of the Carrollton Police Department, alongside Sgt. Taylor, responded to reports on Monday, November 4. “Upon arrival, Detective Roberts and Sgt. Taylor located a male child, unclothed and under the age of 3, that was locked behind a wooden and metal enclosure that was secured with a padlock,” the police explained in a Facebook post. The individuals arrested and facing charges of criminal abuse and wanton endangerment include Brenda Chilton, 71; William Mahoney, 72; Codey Johnson, 29; Tammy Simmons, 52; all of Carrollton; and Shelby Turocy, 28, of Ghent, Kentucky. Turocy also faces additional charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana. Police secured the scene and executed a search warrant with the help of Chief Willhoite, Assistant Chief Dews, and Sgt. Dews. Two children were subsequently removed from the home by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. In an interview with local news outlet WDRB, Detective Roberts described the appalling conditions. "A child was behind there, completely unclothed," he said. "There was feces, and then you're in that contained area." Roberts also revealed that a delivery driver had initially alerted authorities after observing a child locked in what appeared to be a cage. Additionally, eight to ten dogs, described as being in poor health, were found at the property. The Carrollton Police Department has not confirmed whether the boy is related to any of the five suspects, who are currently being held at The Carroll County Detention Center. Detective Roberts stressed the critical role the community plays in protecting children. “If you see something, say something,” he stated to WDRB. “This case serves as a reminder of the vital role that bystanders can play in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.” The investigation into this disturbing case is ongoing. The Carrollton Police Department has yet to provide additional comments and did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for more details. #CrimeNews #ChildSafety #KentuckyNews #CommunityTip #CarrolltonPolice #ChildAbuse #BreakingNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Growing up in the projects and a broken home, a man learns survive on the streets through dealing drugs and brutal violence, when a desperate moment leaves him with a choice that changes everything. Today's episode featured Kenneth Ginlack, Sr. Kenneth has been the Director of Outpatient Programs for Milwaukee County Behavior Health Division (BHD), an ad-hoc instructor at the University of Wisconsin Continuing Education extension program, president of the board of directors for Revive Youth and Family Services, and a board member for SALS Recovery Houses and Coaching. Kenneth is now Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Serenity Inns. You can find out more about Kenneth by going to kgsctc.comProducers: Whit MissildineSocial Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastContent/Trigger Warnings: explicit violence, gun violence, domestic abuse, drug use, drug addiction, suicide, murder, explicit languageWebsite: www.thisisactuallyhappening.comSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happeningWondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.comIntro Music: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: Ambient Themes by Nigel Coutinho ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.