Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

The workshop submission deadline is TODAY—Monday, March 3rd Don't let this opportunity pass—help shape the conversations that support Arizona’s children and families. https://lnkd.in/gPabDtWu

In January, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona and partners from Coconino, Yavapai, and Yuma counties toured two inspiring Family Resource Centers (FRCs) in Maricopa County: City of Avondale, AZ: Arizona Complete Health Avondale Resource Center – A model of collaboration between the City of Avondale, Arizona Complete Health, and FIRST THINGS FIRST, providing intergenerational human services to families in the Southwest Valley. Pilgrim Rest Foundation – A 501(c)(3) affiliated with Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix, offering rental, food, and employment assistance, as well as referrals for foster care services, bus passes, financial literacy, SNAP, and more. These tours highlighted how FRCs respond to the unique needs of their communities and simplify resource navigation for families. We left deeply inspired to explore ways to bring FRCs to life in our own communities. Only four of Arizona’s fifteen counties have Family Resource Centers, a gap Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, along with the FRC Pathways team and state collaborators, is working to bridge. Together, we are advocating for a statewide family support system founded on FRCs. One powerful takeaway: ?? Family Resource Centers are prevention.

We’ve extended the deadline for workshop proposals for the 31st Annual Statewide Child Abuse Prevention Conference! - NEW DEADLINE - Monday, March 3, 2025 Submit your proposal and share your expertise with professionals dedicated to strengthening Arizona's families and communities. Workshops are 70 minutes. Advanced and innovative session formats encourage.d ?Don’t miss this opportunity to make an impact- submit your proposal today! https://lnkd.in/gPabDtWu

Have a CAP Workshop idea? Now’s the time to submit! Workshop proposal deadline: February 24, 2025 (THIS MONDAY!) Blocks are 70 minutes Apply now ?? https://lnkd.in/gPabDtWu We are particularly interested in receiving proposals that are presented with innovative styles (e.g. panel presentations, café-style learning, peer-led learning) on topic areas such as: ? Prevention through the lens of supporting a sense of belongingness for children, youth, parents and professionals ? Building a connected system of support for families in Arizona ? Rethinking our approaches to serving families and children ? Cultural and demographic considerations when meeting the needs of children and families ? Innovative ways to tackle tough challenges ? Building professional skills such as advocacy, public speaking, and storytelling ? Policies, practices and strategies that improve the way Arizona meets the needs of children and families ? Specialized topics and tools for child welfare professionals?

Great news out of the Arizona Legislature today for children and families affected by the foster care system. ?? Child Neglect; Financial Resources (HB2462) – This bill would ensure that poverty alone does not lead to the separation of children and families. Thanks to Representative Stahl-Hamilton for sponsoring this bill, to Chairman Blackman for including this bill on the agenda, and to the House Government Committee for their support. ?? Child-Only TANF Bill (SB1305) – This bill would restore a stipend for relative kinship caregivers who are caring for children outside of the foster care system. Thanks to Senator Shope for sponsoring this bill, to Senator Werner for placing the bill on the committee agenda, and to the Health and Human Services Committee for their support. ?? Kinship Foster Care Stipend Increase (SB1490) – This bill would increase the financial stipend for kinship caregivers, getting closer to equity with foster parent families. Thanks to Senator Alston for sponsoring this bill and to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for their support. Children’s Action Alliance was there to testify alongside allies. Let’s keep this momentum going!

YOUR knowledge can make a difference! We are looking for dynamic workshops for this year’s #capconf to share insights, tools, and best practices that strengthen families and communities. What we need: We’ve heard from past attendees, and they’re asking for workshops on: Affordable housing & economic stability Access to behavioral healthcare Trauma-informed therapy & education Support for single parents Language barriers & cultural considerations Parent panels & voices of lived experience ?AND MORE! Have expertise in these areas? Apply to present! Know someone who should? Tag them! Workshop proposal deadline: February 24, 2025 Sessions are 70 minutes Innovative, interactive styles are encouraged! Apply now ?? https://lnkd.in/gPabDtWu

Healthy families = healthy Arizona!

February is Family Support Awareness Month! Expanding access to home visiting and parenting education programs is a critical way to support the health and well-being of children and families across NC. #FamilySupportNC #ThinkBabiesNC

"If you've seen the other side of our CPS system, which is children who are in foster care...who are suicidal, who feel unloved....If we rewound that story, there was a family that we could have preserved and supported and invested in."?--Adam Ballout, attorney. We shy away from uncomfortable truths. But guess what? The families affected don’t have that luxury. They’re the ones who live with the consequences every single day. There are youth entering the system whose parents just need help, not judgment. Parents who are crushed under the weight of guilt, shame, and hopelessness, unsure of where to turn for support. Many don’t know the ins and outs of legalities when it comes to child custody. They just know fear, love, and desperation. If we want to break the cycle, we have to do things differently. We have to stop ignoring the reality and start showing up for families before it’s too late. The system needs to change. We can’t afford to look the other way anymore. To learn how to rethink how we approach child welfare, family preservation, and the need for community-based support, take a listen: Apple: https://lnkd.in/eaFvUjkS Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eDFJ2qM2 #courtimprovement #familypreservation #childwelfare #legalrepresentation #parentdefender #primaryprevention #prepetition #familywellbeing #fostercare

"Last year, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona's Simone Tavassoli partnered with the Department of Child Safety (DCS) Office of Prevention to host?an in-person Young Parent University?event designed to empower young parents to embrace their strengths and build bright futures for themselves and their children. With the success of that event, we extended our partnership?to host a four-part Young Parent University Virtual Café series. These sessions took place this past July, September, November and January, providing young parents with ongoing opportunities to connect, learn and grow.The Virtual Café series focused on fostering a safe, supportive environment for young parents to explore their personal and professional goals. One highlight of the series was a session facilitated by former foster youth?Justin Black, in which participants engaged in an impactful activity centered on stepping out of their comfort zones, embracing vulnerability, and setting specific, actionable goals. As one participant shared, “It was meaningful knowing it was a safe space to be able to express each and every one of our futures. Justin’s presentation made a change and impact in my life by allowing me to talk about the important things without judgment and create different strategies for growth.” Participants also developed SMART goals and action plans tailored to their unique aspirations. Many reflected on what they wanted to provide for their children—things they may not have experienced themselves, such as a stable home, financial security, and an environment free from alcohol abuse. These discussions not only inspired personal reflection but also reinforced a sense of community and shared purpose among the young parents. The series garnered positive feedback, with?all 62 participants, many of whom participated in more than one event, sharing their enthusiasm to join future Young Parent University summits. One way that we secured 62 young parents was through social media Advertisements. Prevent Child Abuse Arizona’s Marketing & Media Manager, Sarah-Nicole Rivas, has used social media Ads to promote events and reach populations that otherwise may not have known about the event by promoting it through professional networks alone. Looking ahead, we are excited to host the next in-person Young Parent University on March 29 in Phoenix, in partnership with the DCS Office of Prevention. This event will build upon the momentum of the Virtual Café series, offering young parents another opportunity to learn, grow, and connect. If you or someone you know is a young parent, let them know about Young Parent University – share this flyer or?register here: https://lnkd.in/dtpzeTfs Together, we can continue creating safe spaces for young parents to share their dreams, explore their potential, and work toward a brighter future for themselves and their children." Impact Story by Molly Findlay Peterson, MPA