On this past week, a diverse team of South Carolina lived experts and leadership from community organizations and state agencies joined leaders from across the country launching OPT-IN for families, an initiative to better engage and support children and families.
South Carolina Department of Social Services’ Post
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Read the newest from LearningWell: https://lnkd.in/e-KfHZuR
When Loren Muwonge, a high school senior and Milwaukee County Youth Commissioner, speaks about what compelled her to advocate for education reform on the national stage, she emphasizes the local roots of her activism. A 2018 study by The Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program found that Milwaukee had the highest Black-white segregation of any American metropolitan area. This modern reality is largely due to decades of redlining, the discriminatory practice of denying loans and services to certain neighborhoods classified as “hazardous” to investment. Citing Fred Hampton as an influence for her community engagement and youth activism, Loren works to address and repair the harm wrought by redlining in Milwaukee, as well as advocating for education reform, equitable resource distribution, and mental and behavioral healthcare access for low-income youth and students of color. Loren sat down with LearningWell contributor Ella Schmidt to discuss education reform advocacy, youth mental health, and community engagement. Read our Q&A with Loren: https://lnkd.in/e-KfHZuR
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The importance of changing history begins with the understanding of our place in it. The last institution in Indiana closed its doors a mere 17 years ago. Has all that much of society changed in terms of inclusive communities? When was the last time you saw a person with a disability being a welcomed regular at your gym, your church, local restaurants, bars, and libraries? Community is at heart of what we are trying to do: how can we shift conversations and beliefs of people to truly demonstrate to families that their child, their sibling, their aunt, their coworker, their neighbor is welcome anywhere? Our state’s history is dark and sobering. We come historically from forced sterilization and seclusion, but can we revolutionize that narrative into something truly innovative? Our work demonstrates this by investing in the belief that once a person ages out of high school, they should continue to access life-changing Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapies. If our society believes that they are done learning and growing at 22, then that’s all that we believe people with disabilities are worth. We’re here to forever change that belief.
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To transform systems and get better, more equitable outcomes for kids, we have to work together. Collaborative action is making a difference in Fresno, California - including better outcomes for foster youth. See how Cradle to Career Fresno County is bringing partners together to make a difference: https://hubs.li/Q02sTcJ70
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At a recent The Aspen Institute Ascend event, I was describing the work of Advancing Communities for Equity with a new connection, Kat Kaufmann of The Bridgespan Group. She is a passionate early childhood advocate who had wonderful questions about our work. The one that I continue to reflect on is this: "Who is community?" My answer at the time was that we combine quantitative data (census tracts, enrollment data, community surveys, eligibility information, and the like) with what we learn in conversation. Who are the individuals and organizations in the community who are trusted by children and families? Where do they turn for resources, help, and guidance? Sometimes this starts with one or two names. Our goal is that by the end of our work, we have weaved together connections between systems and trusted community partners, to enhance collaboration and build communication that leads to stronger families. At the same time as this mixer, I began a re-read of @bell hooks' "Belonging: A culture of place" and I know that my description of community is too narrow. Community is where families feel safe and cared for, rejuvenated and seen, supported and whole. Healed. The supports offered by systems are by their very nature bureaucratic in administration and delivery. Through community partnerships, systems can tap into what works for families. This will require widening the table, sharing resources, reconsidering how power is operating, and doing things differently than we have in existing systems. What might we accomplish if people were more connected to each other and to the resources intended to support them? That is the the work of Advancing Communities for Equity. I am excited to share more about our work on this page. Thanks for the follow.
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Gino Wickman 's Traction argues that businesses are far more likely to succeed when all stakeholders can clearly see the values and objectives. This is true for schools too. In schools, this translates into defining a shared mission, vision, and core values that guide decision-making at all levels. They are shared by all. Educators, administrators, staff, and volunteer leadership can work together cohesively toward a shared goal, whether it's improving student outcomes, fostering a culture of innovation, enhancing community engagement, or all of the above.
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At the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, we recognize the importance of understanding the needs and lived experiences of the children and youth we serve. Our work is grounded in research and created with a racial equity lens. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQ-uc-h5
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BSR offices in the U.S. will be closed today in observance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America, as Union soldiers marched on Galveston, Texas in 1865. 159 years later, we acknowledge the continued impact of racialized systemic oppression on Black communities throughout the United States and beyond. Whether your company chooses to recognize or observe this holiday, there is an opportunity to approach its commemoration in a way that advances DEI and social justice efforts within your organization. For BSR members, several resources developed by our Equity, Inclusion & Justice (EIJ) team are available in the member portal to help you get started, such as: Allies+: Ally, Advocate, and Accomplice: https://lnkd.in/gZnn_95H; and Inclusive Leadership: https://lnkd.in/gXmT9wrm. For all viewers, we're also pleased to share The Social Justice Guide for Business: Moving Beyond Crisis to Action, developed by BSR's Center for Business and Social Justice: https://lnkd.in/d-ZyUKtZ. We welcome you to engage with these resources and/or reach out to our team, ready to partner with you to further your DEI ambitions and programming. Email us at web@bsr.org. We stand resolute that to achieve sustainability, we must promote equity and justice. #happyjuneteenth, #DEI, #sustainablebusiness
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Championing Knowledge and Civic Responsibility! Children deserve to be aware of their rights, shaping them into informed citizens for a better society. Explore valuable resources exclusively on CSTL Pulse to contribute to this transformative journey: https://lnkd.in/dX53-rxh
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As many communities gather across our state and nation to celebrate Juneteenth this week, let us all reflect on the past and renew our commitment to a more equitable future. For us at DHEC and the two new agencies we will soon become, our vision for equity is not complete without healthy people living in healthy communities. Celebrated each year on June 19, Juneteenth memorializes the day in 1865 when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing news of freedom to the formerly enslaved people there. Although in 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation had declared that all enslaved people living in the states that had seceded from the Union, "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free,” it was only when Union forces took control of an area that these rights could be enforced. As Galveston was one of the last major cities to fall to the Union, Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the South. The African American community in Galveston began celebrating Juneteenth each year with parades, parties, cookouts, church services and other events. It proved to be a compelling tradition. In the past 150 years, Juneteenth has grown to bear significance to communities nationwide as a day to celebrate freedom, progress and triumph over slavery. In fact, on this day three years ago, Juneteenth officially became the 11th federal holiday. As we reflect on Juneteenth and its elevated importance to our nation, we also take pride in the progress we have made at DHEC. Our work significantly reduces health disparities and advances environmental justice for South Carolinians of all races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, sexual orientations and genders. Still, social factors are key determinants for health and environmental equity, often presenting barriers to access. We are committed to building on our agency’s existing efforts to realize our continued vision of healthy people living in healthy communities throughout South Carolina. This includes doing our part to ensure everyone has the opportunity to achieve their optimal health. By working together and taking deliberate action, we can better position ourselves to bridge health equity and environmental justice gaps — for the betterment of all South Carolinians.
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We are proud to support The Senior Source which serves older adults in the Dallas area. Several Globe Life employees attended the organization's 30th Anniversary Spirit of Generations Luncheon, which honored individuals who have contributed significantly in "thoughts, words, and deeds' to all generations of the Dallas community past, present, and future.
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