Justice-involved youth can be powerful agents of change. Join us for a five-part community of practice focused on promoting the leadership of system-impacted young people. This strengths-based series will address racial trauma and racial disparities in juvenile justice systems across the nation. Designed for leaders in the system of care, the series will help participants engage justice-involved youth in advocacy work, prioritize culturally responsive care for BIPOC youth, deepen their knowledge of community-based solutions, and implement effective peer support programs. … [Read more...] about Shifting from Locking Youth Up to Lifting Youth Up Community of Practice Kick-Off Event
Positive Youth Development
Words Matter Discussion Series – Youth Driven
The adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not really true – Words can hurt, but they can also heal. Please join us for the Words Matter series where we engage in open and authentic discussions about the impact of common terminology used in child serving systems with those that are directly affected. Our goal is to illuminate how the terms we use can influence perception, approach, and practice, as well as explore alternative language as a means of intentionally shifting how we view and interact with youth, families, and each other. … [Read more...] about Words Matter Discussion Series – Youth Driven
Supporting Gender Diversity in Young Children
This training was co-hosted with the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Technical Assistance Center explored the breadth of terms, identities, and concepts associated with gender diverse communities, with a focus on indigenous contexts. Watch this webinar to develop an understanding of gender creativity in children and explore best practices for supporting gender expression in young children. … [Read more...] about Supporting Gender Diversity in Young Children
5 Things Digest: 5 Things Gender-Expansive Kids Want Adults to Know (June 2022)
This 5 Things Digest from the NTTAC Infant and Early Childhood Transformation Team and "kid contributors" shares advice from gender-expansive young people for what adults should know about what has been most helpful to them as they grow into their identities. In Spring 2022, NTTAC’s Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Transformation Team hosted a webinar by author, national policy expert, and public health advocate Willy Wilkinson about Supporting Gender Diversity in Young Children. Following the fascinating conversation with webinar participants, our team members had the chance to learn from school-age children who had the courage and supportive environments to express their creative gender identities during their early childhood years, as well as the families of these kids. … [Read more...] about 5 Things Digest: 5 Things Gender-Expansive Kids Want Adults to Know (June 2022)
Community of Practice – Engaging Fathers and Father Figures in Early Childhood Systems of Care: Engaging with Fathers and Father Figures from Special Populations
In an effective system of care, families are essential partners at the levels of service, management, and policymaking. As part of the process of engaging families, it is crucial to engage fathers and father figures in children’s mental health and related human services that have historically been framed as mother-and-child-serving systems. Researchers have learned that fathers have a critical role in children’s mental health, but need more support to fulfill their potential (L. Khan, 2017). In this recorded Community of Practice, fathers and grandfathers shared their advocacy journeys on behalf of their young children with (or potentially with) social-emotional and behavioral health needs. In addition, we heard from program and state leaders who have been fine-tuning approaches for engaging fathers and father figures from vulnerable communities in families and systems. Participants were supported in thinking through ways to embed and enhance father-friendly strategies at the agency … [Read more...] about Community of Practice – Engaging Fathers and Father Figures in Early Childhood Systems of Care: Engaging with Fathers and Father Figures from Special Populations