Tennyson Center for Children Launches New Initiative to Improve Outcomes in Colorado's Child Welfare System
Stand in the Gap addresses complex issues including child welfare and mental health, foster care, the tangled legal web surrounding the child welfare system, and LGBTQ children and youth
DENVER, Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennyson Center for Children (Tennyson) today kicked off its new Stand in the Gap initiative, a series of live conversations about the enormous challenges Colorado is facing in the child welfare system as the state grapples with the effects of childhood trauma. In an effort to open dialogue and break down silos across the state, this program is bringing together experts, families, foster parents, caseworkers, advocates and others on the front lines of child welfare in order to create better outcomes for children and families who are either at-risk for or have endured child abuse, neglect or trauma.
Child welfare referrals have increased 46 percent over the past 10 years, due in large part to the opioid crisis, and our state's child abuse and neglect hotline (1-844-CO-4-KIDS) ended 2017 with a record 211,554 calls.
"The consequences of inaction are considerable. Adults with unprocessed childhood trauma are disproportionately homeless, unemployed, at far greater risk of suicide and addiction, have PTSD rates six times that of the U.S. population and are under-educated and incarcerated at alarming rates," said Ned Breslin, president and CEO of Tennyson.
"While Colorado has a great system to support kids and families experiencing or at risk of trauma, child abuse or neglect, there are still gaps. And all of us need to work together in a fundamentally different way to fill those gaps," Breslin continued. "Sector leaders are forging ahead with innovative new ideas and programs set to tackle current challenges in Colorado's child welfare system. Our hope is that 'Stand in the Gap' will illuminate these initiatives and highlight ways people interested in standing in support of children can engage to make Colorado even better."
The overall program will include at least four Facebook Live sessions, along with related podcasts, focused on various aspects of Colorado's child welfare system.
Colorado families, citizens and members of the child welfare community are encouraged to watch each Stand in the Gap session broadcast live on Facebook and engage in the conversation in order to improve outcomes for Colorado's families by becoming a member of the Stand in the Gap community Facebook group.
The first Facebook Live session examined the topics of child welfare and trauma. It opened with a performance of Conspicuous – a powerful poem inspired by Tennyson children and written by local activist KerrieJoy. Facilitated by Breslin, it also included conversations with:
- Jayneanne Finch, lead organizer, Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center Youth Empowerment Program
- Brianna Lennon and Dominique Mallard, core organizers of Project Foster Power, a group of current and former foster youth working together to collectively raise their voices and take action to improve the foster care system
- Emmie Perry and Dustan Dilorio, residential and day services clinicians, Tennyson Center for Children
- Mimi Scheuermann, Child Welfare Division director, Denver Human Services
Based on input from members of Colorado's diverse child welfare community regarding relevant issues facing the system, future Stand in the Gap Live Sessions will focus on topics ranging from foster care and mental health to the tangled legal web surrounding the child welfare system and issues unique to LGBTQ children and youth.
Learn more at www.tennysoncenter.org/stand-in-the-gap-co, and participate in the conversation on social media using the #StandInTheGapCO hashtag.
About Tennyson Center for Children
Tennyson Center for Children is relentlessly focused on stabilizing and healing children ages 0-18 in Colorado who have experienced severe abuse, neglect and/or trauma so they can bravely and safely reintegrate back into safe families, supportive schools and vibrant communities. For more than 114 years, Tennyson Center's trained professionals have empowered children and families by providing a child-centered, customized approach to healing through our community-based, school and/or residential programs. Tennyson aims to improve overall outcomes for children statewide and reduce the cost to society of child abuse and neglect by activating our community at a wide variety of levels to positively impact child welfare.
Media Contact:
Amanda Brannum
On Behalf of Tennyson Center for Children
214-682-8300 (cell)
[email protected]
SOURCE Tennyson Center for Children
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