Diana Onken’s Post

💡A final call to action from Isabelle S., Global Youth Mobiliser for ending violence against children. It is clear that centering youth and survivor voices is crucial to accelerate progress in this work, and we thank all those who are committed to building a safer world to protect children. "It takes a lot of courage to do what we have been doing during this Conference: breaking the silence. So my call to action for children, youth, and world leaders today is: keep being bold, start that difficult conversation, tell the uncomfortable truth. Although we represent different groups and generations, what I see now is a community. You heard from our campaigns ahead of the conference: the power to end violence against children is our hands. So, what does this mean after all? That  together, we have the power to let go of the boxes that keep us apart. We have the power to build stronger, better institutions to make children safe. We have the power to change history."

At Show Hope, we believe that the best way to serve children who are vulnerable is by working proactively to ensure the best possible outcome following the P.R.A.Y. acronym. P ➡️ Preservation R ➡️ Reunification A ➡️ Adoption Y ➡️ Youth Support This week on the blog, we unpack this acronym and share why it is the ideal response to caring for children who are vulnerable. Read the blog at bit.ly/3XfUUnn!

New OPRE and Child Trends case study brief spotlighting three state initiatives that successfully engaged families with young children in child care and early education (CCEE) strategies. The initiatives saw successes in recruiting diverse parents, creating parent-driven content, and fostering meaningful connections with policymakers. However, they also faced challenges such as recruitment difficulties, the impact of COVID-19, and tracking engagement results. Parents appreciated the training, new connections, ongoing communication, and stipends provided. Virtual meetings and flexible scheduling were crucial in overcoming participation barriers. This case study is a valuable resource for states looking to involve families in their CCEE work, check it out in the link below!

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻! 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: If you work at a Youth Justice Service in England and Wales, there is still time to respond to our survey and tell us how you apply Child First in your role. The survey only takes 𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 to complete, and your feedback will help to inform guidance and support from the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) on Child First practice in the future. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/esMUna4R 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲: We are committed to ensuring that children's voices are 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 in this research. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.

In a new OPRE report, Child Trends researchers Kate Steber, Emilia Sotolongo, Claire Vansell, Elizabeth Villegas, Ph.D., and Kathryn Tout spotlight three state initiatives that sought to engage families and integrate their perspectives into efforts to strengthen child care and early education (CCEE) systems. The authors share key findings from interviews with CCEE implementation staff, including successes, challenges, and future considerations. https://lnkd.in/gEEqVSYZ

New on our blog: a guest post by Matumaini Taylor of Stars: Illuminate. Educate. Advocate. on how the organization leverages the skills and life experience of older volunteers to benefit local youth. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gEGbENQ5

The University of Michigan School of Public Health plays a vital role in exploring the impact of the Expanded Child Tax Credit on child poverty. Their work supports programs in Flint, MI, like the innovative Rx Kids initiative, which provides direct financial aid to families, addressing health and economic disparities. This partnership highlights how public health research and community programs can transform lives. Learn more about these efforts and their importance in shaping equitable policies for children and families. Read more: https://lnkd.in/efXZ6txy

MiLEAP released a report from Regional Child Care Coalitions, groups of community leaders, child care providers, and economic development organizations that are collaborating to tackle child care challenges at the local level. The report provides a view of the state of Michigan’s child care infrastructure and recommended actions to guide future initiatives. Early Childhood Investment Corporation Learn more: https://bit.ly/49xNAaS

Every childhood is special. It’s a time to learn and grow, to make friends, to discover. But there are challenges, big and small. From bullying and racism at school, to abuse, to problems at home, the pressures can quickly start to build up.    Through Space to grow we, Children First, and MACS are working in partnership to encourage innovative solutions for targeted early support and build a body of evidence that we can use, as a sector, to improve the systems around young people so that they can get the right support at the right time.    Space to grow is made possible by our incredible funding partners: BBC Children in Need, The Health Foundation, and Impact on Urban Health.  Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e-Ff2mNe