Futures Without Violence’s Post

𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗱𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. The NSW system review into out-of-home care is a call to action—a chance to reimagine a system that not only protects children but empowers them to thrive. To achieve this, we must do more than assess policies; we must deeply engage with those who live and work within the system. I am deeply passionate about empowering the voices of children and young people and this review gives us an opportunity to stop, listen and learn for real transformation.  True transformation happens when we: 👂Center lived experience - children, young people, families, and carers are the heart of this system. Their stories, struggles, and successes hold the key to what needs to change. This review must move beyond token consultation to genuine co-design. 📢 Empower direct practice voices - practitioners bring critical insights from their daily work. By listening to their challenges and solutions, we can bridge the gap between policy and practice, making reform realistic and impactful. 🤝 Building trust - For many, engaging with the system has been shaped by trauma and systemic inequities. It’s vital that consultation feels safe, inclusive, and free from judgment. ✅ Turn insights into action - listening is not enough. Lived experience and practice insights must drive clear, measurable change in policy, practice, and systemic design. At its core, this review is an opportunity to create a system that heals. A system where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to dream. A system that fosters collaboration, innovation, and hope. Now is the time to challenge old power dynamics, celebrate existing strengths, and design a future led by those with the most at stake. Let’s ensure that every voice is heard and every insight is valued.

The Blueprint for Change is a national framework for a system of services for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) so they enjoy a full life and thrive in their community from childhood. Learn about the Blueprint for Change and the National Center https://ow.ly/LxLu50TMPW2

why on earth should we accept self diagnosis? 😤 let’s start here… not everyone has equal access to the diagnoses they may need to survive and live our intersectional identities impact our ability not only to understand ourselves and neurodiversity.. but also how easily we can successfully pursue a diagnosis diagnoses remain an important aspect of our neurodiverse experiences — and are still often the key to unlocking adaptations, services, and tools that break down barriers ..but how does this affect the people that live in a system that doesn’t give them *access* to medical diagnosis processes? those who, DESPITE debilitating struggles and knowing themselves well enough to know they need access to some kind of support.. can’t get it? (according to the statistics available) roughly 15 to 20% of the population are neurodivergent roughly 50% of these people are also medically ‘undiagnosed’, and have: the worst outcomes in terms of school exclusion, unemployment, and homelessness ..it’s also suggested that 50% of people entering prison are neurodivergent — with teachers and police often not having the training to identify it, let alone support them. what would it look like if these people were supported early on?

Navigating Medi-Cal to access vital developmental services for a child is often an overwhelming journey for families, marked by provider network inadequacies, long wait times, and a complicated early intervention delivery system. These challenges make it near impossible for families to access needed services in a timely matter, delaying critical early intervention and creating unnecessary stress and potential setbacks in a child's development. Read more at California Healthline: https://ow.ly/Sol850Sm1Z3

In 2023-24, the Enabling Aging in Place collaborative supported 27 teams as they implemented promising approaches to help more older adults age where they call home. These approaches aim to improve quality of life, reduce social isolation and delay entry to long-term care. “[I]t is a rare treat to connect with teams from across the country and to access the expertise of our coach and the many resources from the HEC team. This is the kind of meaningful support we need to create real change with, and for, older adults in our communities.” – Program participant Find out more about the collaborative’s impact in our latest annual report: https://lnkd.in/gFymj-5M

Social isolation is an important topic. Join the conversation! This is a free webinar on April 16th from 8:30am - 10am. Let's empower older adults and ourselves to combat social isolation.

Young people should have equitable opportunities to realize their full potential. We celebrate National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™) every May to emphasize the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential. During NAHM, we will share information and resources to promote this year’s weekly themes: - Theme 1: Ensure and expand access to health care, human services, and safe and supportive environments. - Theme 2: Support and translate adolescent health research and improve health information and health literacy. - Theme 3: Increase youth agency, youth engagement, and training and support for caring adults. - Theme 4: Eliminate disparities to advance health equity and increase collaboration and coordination across systems. Join us in advancing our vision that all adolescents in the United States have the safety, support, resources, and opportunities to thrive and be healthy! https://opa.hhs.gov/nahm

A recent report from NAMI highlights the potential societal and economic benefits of scaling Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) - a standard of care for early psychosis in the U.S. The impact of CSC’s increased implementation could result in potential cost savings across healthcare, employment, housing, criminal justice, and caregiving. Learn more about Coordinated Specialty Care and the recent research and benefits here: https://lnkd.in/enR4RjpR

Funding Opportunity: Evidence-Based Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs - "designed for applicants to develop a statewide initiative to address the capacity for — and delivery and sustainability of — evidence-based CDSME and support programs with a focus on improving the behavioral health of older adults and adults with disabilities." https://lnkd.in/eddHQVFn

July is National Make a Difference to Children Month, where we remember the importance of guiding, helping, and supporting children near and far as they grow and navigate life's many challenges. CEC supports and partners with the Partnership for Resilience, an organization that aims to transform and integrate education, healthcare, and community organizations to create a trauma-informed, family-focused system that measurably improves academic, health, and social outcomes for children impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Together, we seek to mitigate the impact of childhood trauma and build resiliency by coordinating care and services between healthcare and education organizations, increasing family and community wellness and access to preventative care, and identifying results-based practices that could inform a policy agenda around these issues. To learn more about the Partnership For Resilience, visit https://lnkd.in/gewP-RVR #makeadifferencetochildrenmonth #nmcal #partnershipforresilience #CEC #traumainformed