Emble Allied Health’s Post

Our vision is empowered people, connected communities; limitless opportunities. In developing our vision statement, we consulted with parents and representatives from each arm of our service. Imagining we could not fail, we asked ourselves, what impact do we want to create for the families and children we serve? We strive to break barriers to participation, accessibility, and inclusion by empowering the individuals integral to a child’s or adolescent’s life through building capacity, education, advocacy and awareness. Our goal is not to burden our clients with the need to change, instead embracing their differences and focusing our efforts on influencing our local community to be more inclusive. We work to ensure that families feel a deep sense of connection to their community, whether at school, the local cafe, or through the support networks we help build among parents on similar journeys. And by doing all of this, we hope to create limitless opportunities for the children, adolescents and families we serve. We assume competency and set ambitious goals with our clients, aiming to exceed the limitations imposed in the past. Through our efforts, we envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and participate fully in their community. #emble #empoweringability #visionstatement

Understanding the Impact 📊 While we focus on nurturing positive childhoods for all children, we acknowledge that not all children, or adults, have had positive experiences. We must work together to remove the overload of stress families face so more children can reach their untapped potential. This means addressing inequities and injustices that contribute to the adversities many children and families in our communities still experience. But there's hope – through our collective efforts, we can make a difference. Participating in and promoting initiatives that further our own understanding, and the public’s understanding, through activities like Wear Blue Day, Digital Advocacy Day, and contributing to organizations that support families all play a crucial role. These actions strengthen our resolve to nurture positive childhoods for all, ensuring every child has the chance to grow up in a safe, loving environment. #PreventionInPartnership #PCANC #CAPMonth #BuildingHopefulFutures #PreventionIsPossible #NurturingPositiveChildhoods

Juvenile Justice Reform and the Realities of Culture Change: Building Sustainable Systems for Youth at Promise Juvenile justice reform is not just a topic—it's a necessity. But when systems are broken, they can't be fixed overnight. True culture change, especially in fields dealing with youth at promise, takes time—often 5-7 years for sustainable transformation. It's crucial to set realistic expectations and recognize that progress is not linear. To all the dedicated and committed staff who show up every day because they care about youth in crisis: celebrate the small wins. These wins may seem minor in the moment, but each step forward, each positive interaction, and each moment of growth is a victory that builds toward lasting change. Systems need and desire staff who are committed to being part of the solution, not just pointing out the problems. We don't need people who enter a crisis and then run around telling everyone it's a crisis. We need those who roll up their sleeves and get to work. They are the ones who courageously face the fire and strive to make a difference. Equally important are our community stakeholders—those who care about the youth inside these systems. We need you to step up, come in, volunteer, provide programming, and show genuine concern. The saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child," so let’s be that village. But let’s not forget to support those who run into the burning house to save those who may be in trouble. Your commitment, courage, and compassion make all the difference. Together, we can create a system that truly supports and uplifts our youth, and ensures a brighter future for them and our communities. #JuvenileJusticeReform #YouthAtPromise #CultureChange #CommunitySupport #CelebrateProgress #SustainableChange #BeTheVillage #SupportOurStaff #YouthDevelopment #MakeADifference

🗣️JOIN US TODAY!! 📚 Join Us for the “We Ready” Series: Empowering Parent Advocates Town Hall Discussion on Literacy! 📚 🌟 Attention Saint Louis County Public School District Community 🌟 Get ready for an illuminating session as part of the “We Ready” Series, focusing on empowering parent advocates and sharing crucial data on literacy within our schools. We understand the pivotal role of parent advocacy in driving positive change, and this event is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to be strong advocates for your children. During this town hall, we’ll dive into essential data about literacy rates and trends within our district. We’ll also explore strategies for effectively advocating for literacy initiatives and resources in our schools. Your active participation is vital as we collaborate to ensure every student receives the support necessary to excel academically. But wait, there’s more! We’re dedicated to fostering a community of engaged and empowered parents. Together, we’ll discuss actionable steps for building strong advocacy skills and maintaining ongoing involvement in our children’s education. 🗓️ Date: March 26th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 6pm-8pm 📍 Event Address: 9420 West Florissant Ave, Ferguson, MO 63136 Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the “We Ready” Series and strengthen your role as a parent advocate. For more information, contact us at cheyenne@stlbridge2hope.org. #WeReadySeries #ParentAdvocates #LiteracyData #EducationMatters #CommunityEngagement #SaintLouisCountyPublicSchools #wearechampionsforqualityeducationforallchildrenandfamilies

This new brief from our research partner Child Trends spotlights three state initiatives that sought to engage families with young children to incorporate their perspectives into child care and early education (CCEE) strategies. Considerations for state leaders and communities as they work to engage parents and caregivers in different initiatives and aspects of their work include: • Consider a range of strategies for engaging parents and caregivers in initiatives. • Offer opportunities for parents and caregivers to participate in initiatives across the implementation cycle. • Financially compensate parents and caregivers for their time and effort. • Prioritize ongoing communication and feedback loops with parents and caregivers. • Incorporate opportunities for parents and caregivers to build their skillsets and develop their networks into family engagement efforts. • Ask parents and caregivers about the best format, days, and times for meetings and other family engagement activities. • Prioritize creating welcoming environments when designing opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage with your work. • Continue learning from the growing set of best practices for family engagement and leadership. https://buff.ly/3VDO9eh #ECE #ECEchat

ᴅᴇᴀʀ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ ᴘᴀʀᴇɴᴛꜱ, You are the first advocate for your special child; you are their voice; no one will fight for your child like you will. As the first advocates in their lives, you embody strength, resilience, and unconditional love like no other. You are their voice in a world that may not always understand their needs or challenges. Your intimate understanding of your child's behavior, both verbal and non-verbal, surpasses any textbook knowledge. You are their primary caregiver, offering support, guidance, and boundless compassion every step of the way. Even if you haven't pursued formal education in special needs, your profound insight into your child's unique abilities and struggles is unparalleled. Your advocacy is not just a choice but a necessity—a vital lifeline for your child's well-being and fulfillment. I urge you to stand tall, speak boldly, and continue being the unwavering advocates your children need and deserve. Your voice is powerful, and your dedication is unmatched. 𝕀'𝕞 𝕆𝕕𝕦𝕟𝕠𝕝𝕒 𝕋𝕚𝕛𝕖𝕤𝕦𝕟𝕚, 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕𝕤 𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕟, 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕪, 𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕕𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕪. #specialneedsadvocate #inclusionmatters #warriorparents

Explore a narrative that highlights the struggles of parents fighting for their children's right to an education that accommodates their unique needs. This post emphasizes the importance of community organizing, policy reform, and financial support from various sectors to ensure fair educational opportunities for all students, especially those requiring special education services. Discover how collective action and informed advocacy can bridge the gap towards educational equity. Stay tuned for an upcoming webinar that will explore these issues further, offering insights on how you can contribute to meaningful change. #EducationEquity #AssessmentEquity https://ow.ly/5VKX50QYQe8

Parents of children and young adults with disabilities are Hope Warriors. And, it is also true that it is a 20+ year marathon. An on the job learning curve no parent can effectively navigate alone (myself included). Advocacy can be a set of strategic tools used to build support to address your child’s needs. Creating Present Moment Parent Concern statements are written documentation of needs and requests. And yes they can be input into the IEP as written. Speaking truth to power is a sign of strength not weakness. In the serious business of ensuring your child’s rights to an equitable education and a meaningful future are secured. If you need me, you’ll find me.::

I want to share a project I've been working on for the last few months: a parent advocacy group called Families for Equity in Schools. Our initial goal is to advocate for lasting changes that fully fund Oregon schools. If you're in the Portland area, join us for our kick-off event on April 30th at Oakshire Brewing on NE 42nd Ave:   https://lnkd.in/gD4kqu6B What started as conversations on the walk to school has become an advocacy group in collaboration with my amazing friend / neighbor / fellow parent Elizabeth Doerr. In just a few weeks, we've connected with dozens of parents who are frustrated at the cuts our schools are facing, incredulous that our system for funding schools is so broken when we've known what the problems are for so long, and ready to do something about it. STEP ONE is getting our legislators and leaders to agree that we should fully fund our schools so students have what they need inside and outside the classroom. Feels simple to me, but apparently it's a big ask. We haven't adequately funded education in Oregon for over 40 years -- we're perpetually falling short by over $1 BILLON. Honestly, I'm not sure we ever did adequately fund schools in Oregon-- does anyone know? Of course, we also need to agree on what "fully funding" means, but to me it means that class sizes are manageable and all schools have art, music, and PE. It means that all school facilities exceed health and safety standards and meet the needs of students and families. It means that all students have access to special ed programs, speech pathologists, and mental and behavioral health supports. It means teachers and all the people who support our students are well compensated so we can attract and retain a great education workforce. In the very near term, we are facing cuts in Portland from a district budget that was already insufficient to meet our students' needs. My kids' school is facing the loss of 9 staff, impacting special education, counseling, classroom teachers, academic & building supports, and electives. Not great. And schools across the state are facing the same challenge. In the current budget environment, the reality is that there are no cuts that can be made that won't negatively impact students and families -- whether they are considered "inside" or "outside" the classroom. We can and should do better. Let's show our elected leaders that school funding and real, lasting fiscal solutions are winning political issues. Hope to see you on April 30! 

🚨 We are keeping busy across the country, and our latest adventure was one for the books! I just wrapped up a dynamic virtual training for the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) on October 22nd, on breaking cycles and providing culturally responsive support. 🌍 Here’s what we covered: 🔸 The Importance of Culture in Peer Support – We explored how cultural nuances shape healing and growth. 🔸 Decentering the Two-Parent Household as the Norm – Shifting away from societal 'ideals' and honoring diverse family structures. 🔸 Child-Rearing Expectations Tied to Whiteness – Unpacking harmful standards rooted in whiteness and embracing culturally relevant practices. 🔸 Navigating Carceral Systems – CPS and beyond—how marginalized families face systemic harm and what we can do as peer workers to prevent it. 🔸 Building Networks of Culturally Relevant Support – Creating a safety net where families thrive, not just survive. 🔸 Centering Strengths of Marginalized Families – Highlighting the inherent strengths and resilience of the families we support. 🙌🏾✨ It’s an honor to support enhancing the skills and capabilities of peer support workers across New York State. Big shoutout to everyone who joined—we're all in this together! Building networks of support that honor culture, diversity, and family strength. 💪🏾 Catch more details here: https://lnkd.in/gWg97AnZ 💻 Thank you for having me #SondercoveWellness #CulturallyResponsiveSupport #PeerSupport #BreakingTheCycle #FamilyStrength #BlackMentalHealth #SystemicChange