FRIENDS National Center

In this episode, three members of the Maine teamwho participated in the Prevention Mindset Institute take us behind the scenes of the bold new vision to create shared responsibility for the safety and well-being for children and families in Maine.Listeners will hear how this mindset shift is gaining momentum— from the Governor’s office to local Prevention Councils to individual parents and practitioners—creating a wave of change across the state. At the heart of this effort is building trusting partnerships with parents through authentic engagement and shared language. Tune in to discover how collaboration, relationships, and truly listening are driving this transformative work. FRIENDS PAC members Valerie Lebanion and MichaelCupeles wrap up the episode by sharing their key takeaways from this inspiring and insightful discussion. If you're passionate about strengthening families and creating lasting change, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Hosts:Paula Bibbs-Samuels, FRIENDS National ParentAdvisory Council MemberDavid Armstrong, FRIENDS National Parent AdvisoryCouncil Member Participants:Heidi Aakjer, Executive Director of the Maine Children's TrustChristine Theriault, Family First Prevention Services Program Manager, Maine Office of Child and Family ServicesJoe Whitmore, Parent Leader, Penquis Prevention Council, and FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

In this episode, Dr. Paul Lanier has a conversation with Dr. Lindsay Huffhines about unique stressors for families during these difficult times and practical tips parents can use to support infants and toddlers in handling stress and emotions. Parents and caregivers will find this podcast helpful. Dr. Paul Lanier is the Wallace Kuralt Distinguished Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Lindsay Huffhines is a postdoctoral fellow at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University (Originally shared May, 2020) Experts: Dr. Paul Lanier Associate Professor/School of Social Work University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Dr. Lindsay Huffhines Postdoctoral Fellow, Clinical Psychology   Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/ https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/ https://newmomhealth.com/

In this episode, Dr. Paul Lanier has a conversation with Julie Smith and Brooklyn Crawford, Clinical Home Visitors, based in eastern North Carolina about challenges families are facing with parenting young children during difficult times. This conversation is followed by one with Maxine Eichner, the Graham Distinguished Professor of Law at University of North Carolina School of Law, about federal policy changes needed to create stronger supportive systems for children and families.Administrators, other leaders, and advocates for families and children will find this podcast most helpful.Dr. Paul Lanier is the Wallace Kuralt Distinguished Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.(Originally shared May 2020)Experts:Dr. Paul LanierAssociate Professor, School of Social WorkUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel HillBrooklyn CrawfordLicensed Marriage and Family TherapistEaster Seals NewbernChild First ClinicianJulie SmithLicensed ClinicianChild FirstMaxine EichnerProfessor of Law,University of North Carolina School of LawResources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

In this episode, Dr. Todd Jensen interviews Dr. Deborah Barrett, a licensed clinical social worker who has extensive experience conducting individual and group therapy. She shares her thoughts about family loss and grieving.Dr. Jensen is a Family Research and Engagement Specialist in the Jordan Institute for Families and a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr.  Barrett is a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Originally shared April, 2020Experts:   Todd M. Jensen, PhD, MSWResearch Assistant Professor, School of Social WorkFamily Research and Engagement Specialist, Jordan Institute for FamiliesUniversity of North Carolina – Chapel HillDeborah Barrett, Ph.D.Clinical Associate Professor, School of Social WorkAdjunct Professor, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of North Carolina – Chapel HillResources:  https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

In this episode, Dr. Todd Jensen will help listeners understand and characterize family stressors. Dr. Jensen offers tips for listeners to help them better manage family stress.Dr. Jensen is a Family Research and Engagement Specialist in the Jordan Institute for Families and a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Originally shared April 2020Experts:Todd M. Jensen, Ph.D., MSWResearch Assistant Professor | School of Social WorkFamily Research and Engagement Specialist | Jordan Institute for FamiliesUniversity of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Resources:  https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/Dr. Pauline Boss, a leading family stress educator and researcher, shares a list of recently curated resources for COVID-19 and other topics explored in this episode: https://news.cehd.umn.edu/covid-19-family-social-science-offers-coping-resources/

This podcast, hosted by Dr. Sarah Verbiest, introduces four young people who contribute to the discussion on strategies for youth and their parents on navigating the conflicts and opportunities of sharing a home. Dr. Verbiest is the Director of the Jordan Institute for Families and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. She has over 20 years’ experience working in maternal and child health and is the mom of two young adults who both live at home. (Originally shared April, 2020) Expert: Sarah Verbiest, DrPH, MSW, MPH Director, The Jordan Institute for Families School of Social Work, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Guest Speakers:  Emiko LeNeave Graduating Senior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public Relations – Global Studies Lizzie Irvin Graduating Senior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Advertising and Public Relations Kylie Verbiest Web Developer/Innovator Ty Verbiest CNA/College Student Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/ https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

In this episode, Dr. Isaiah Pickens explores strategies parents can use for supporting, empowering, and honoring older teenagers in their home that are experiencing loss. Adolescents are at a unique developmental stage that can be especially challenging when their opportunities are limited, and special dreams lost due to outside forces.Dr.  Pickens, a clinical psychologist and founder of iOpening Enterprises, a professional development and media company that helps people and organizations use psychological science to unlock their potential. He is also an Assistant Director at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.(Originally shared: April 2020)Expert:Isaiah B. Pickens, Ph.D.Assistant Director of Service SystemsNational Center for Child Traumatic StressUCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and HospitalFounder, iOpening Enterprises, a mental health and wellness education companyhttp://www.iopeningenterprises.com/Assistant Director of Service Systems at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress at UCLAhttps://www.isaiahpickens.com/about/ Resources:  https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

In this episode, Dr. Isaiah Pickens discusses the importance of self-compassion and showing ourselves kindness during these trying times and how sharing compassion with others can help mitigate the stress in our own lives. Dr.  Pickens is a clinical psychologist and founder of iOpening Enterprises, a professional development and media company that helps people and organizations use psychological science to unlock their potential. He is also an Assistant Director at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. (Originally shared April, 2020) Expert: Isaiah B. Pickens, Ph.D. Assistant Director of Service Systems National Center for Child Traumatic Stress UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital Founder, iOpening Enterprises, a mental health and wellness education companyhttp://www.iopeningenterprises.com/ Assistant Director of Service Systems at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress at UCLAhttps://www.isaiahpickens.com/about/ Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/ https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

Tune in to our latest podcast episode where we delve into the transformative journey of child welfare systems with leaders from Michigan and the District of Columbia. Hosted by FRIENDS PAC members, Paula Bibb-Samuelsfrom Texas and David Armstrong from New Jersey, alongside esteemed guests Demetrius Starling and Robert L Matthews, this episode is a deep dive into the shift towards a prevention mindset in child protection.Listen as Demetrius Starling,the Senior Deputy Director of Children Services Administration in Michigan, shares insights into leading prevention efforts, including initiatives likeCBCAP, while Robert L Matthews, Director of the Child Family Services Agency in Washington, DC, offers perspectives on family strengthening and prevention strategies in his jurisdiction.Through compelling narratives and real-world experiences, our guests reveal the challenges and triumphs of transforming entrenched systems, resistant to change. Discover how they bravely engage with those impacted by these systems, forging collaborative pathways towards co-created solutions. Join us as we explore the power of bold leadership and community engagement in reshaping the future of child welfare.  The episode concludes with reflections from PAC member Michael Cupeles.HostsPaula Bibbs-Samuels, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council MemberDavid Armstrong, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council MemberParticipantsDemetrius Sterling, Senior Deputy Director of Children Services in MichiganRobert L. Matthews, Director of the Child Family Services Agency in Washington, DCMichael Cupeles, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

In this episode, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council (PAC) members Paula Bibb-Samuels and Michael Cupeles talk with Margaret Perkins, from the Kentucky Division of Prevention and Community Well-Being of the Department for Community-Based Services and Valerie Lebanion, a parent leader in Kentucky’s Community Collaborations for Children initiative and a FRIENDS PAC member. Margaret, Valerie, and our hosts discuss Kentucky’s prevention mindset shift including unraveling the story of Kentucky’s bold move – a revision of their neglect statute. Why? To ensure that poverty is not misconstrued as child neglect. The episode concludes with FRIENDS PAC members Joanne Hodgeman, Matthew Porter and David Armstrong joining the conversation. Hosts Paula Bibbs-Samuels, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member Michael Cupeles, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member Participants Margaret Perkins, Primary Prevention Branch Manager, Division of Prevention and Community Well-Being, Kentucky Department for Community Based Services Valerie Lebanion, State Parent Leader for the Kentucky Community Collaborations for Children

Since 2020, FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP has convened the Prevention Mindset Institute (PMI). The PMI consists of 2 cohorts of a total of 11 states. State teams are typically the CBCAP lead, a member representing the child protection system, a parent leader and a community partner. The state teams join with national partners from the Alliance of Children’s Trust Funds, Action4Child Protection, Mining for Gold LLC, the Prevention Institute, and prevention advocate Alex Morales to work together to strategize to shift work done on behalf of children and families to be more focused on prevention. In this podcast episode, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council (PAC) members Valerie Lebanion and Michael Cupeles talk with PAC member, Joanne Hodgeman, joining Valerie and Michael to reflect on Ohio and Texas’ work. Hosts Michael Cupeles, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member Valerie Lebanion, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member Participants Sasha Rasco, Chief Community Wellbeing Officer, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Nicole Sillaman, Executive Director, Ohio Children’s Trust Fund Joanne Hodgeman, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

Since 2020, FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP has convened the Prevention Mindset Institute (PMI). The PMI consists of 2 cohorts of a total of 11 states. State teams are typically the CBCAP lead, a member representing the child protection system, a parent leader and a community partner. The state teams join with national partners from the Alliance of Children’s Trust Funds, Action4Child Protection, Mining for Gold LLC, the Prevention Institute, and prevention advocate Alex Morales to work together to strategize to shift work done on behalf of children and families to be more focused on prevention. In this episode, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council (PAC) members Valerie Lebanion and Michael Cupeles talk with CBCAP State Leads, Sasha Rasco from Texas and Nicole Sillaman from Ohio about their participation in the Prevention Mindset Institute. Hosts Michael Cupeles, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member Valerie Lebanion, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member Participants Sasha Rasco, Chief Community Wellbeing Officer, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Nicole Sillaman, Executive Director, Ohio Children’s Trust Fund Joanne Hodgeman, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member