Child welfare and early childhood development advocates are both concerned about the lifelong impact of trauma, neglect, and abuse on brain development, especially in infants and toddlers.
But often our advocacy in child development arenas for child safety has been deflected with pointed reminders about the trauma caused by removing children from their families, and the importance of respecting families and communities.
Obviously, these things are both true.
But the trauma of separation does not outweigh that of being maimed or killed.
50% of child fatalities occur before the age of one. So sometimes it’s necessary to intervene in families to preserve children’s lives, and their prospects for developing normally. This doesn’t always mean removing children, but it does mean interrupting the maltreatment.
Consistency requires that early childhood advocates elevate child safety to the top of its agenda.
Listen to the podcast on Spotify (click here) or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Read the transcript of the podcast here.
The Safe Passage 2022 webinar series is starting anew on February 2nd with a preview of the upcoming state legislative session with lobbyist Kirsten Christopherson and her team.
Future webinar presentations include:
- On 2/16/22 Attorney Jeff Montpetit will talk about the impact of the recent state Supreme Court decision on the Eric Dean case on the potential for more legal actions in child protection
- On 3/2/22 Marie Cohen, creator and writer of the Child Welfare Monitor, will discuss her blog and the impact it is having on child welfare practices nationally
- On 3/16/22 Violence Free Minnesota manager Nikki Engel will share how her association represents the interests of domestic violence programs across the state
- On 3/30/22 New Children’s Home Society Executive Director Heidi Wiste will talk about her agency’s mission as part of Lutheran Social Service, and current trends in adoptions
- On 4/3/22 Lilia Pantaleeva, Executive Director of the Children’s Law Center, will inform participants about her agency’s mission and challenges