susann montgomery-clark, CAP, FCEP’s Post

Responses from a few teens who attended a Healthy Relationship Seminar led by a PhD Counselor, on behalf of Megan's Foundation Community Outreach. What stood out to you most today? 1. It isn’t love if someone is jealous and tried to control you or your plans 2. Abuse starts before hitting. There are signs leading up to it. 3. The signs of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. 4. An unhealthy relationship can lead to an abusive relationship. Question: I used to think….. Now I think…. 1.  Saying I love you very early on wasn’t that bad, because it’s been said to me before. NOW: Saying  I love you early isn’t real love. It’s intensity. There’s a difference. 2. Used to think: I was bad. NOW: I am good. I was just being manipulated. 3. Used to think: A certain level of control was o.k. NOW: I should start talking to my boyfriend about ways for us to improve. 4. Used to think: Possessiveness was healthy. NOW: It is not. 5. Used to think: It’s important to protect your loved ones. NOW: It’s not my responsibility to let them have fun with me. 6. Used to think: I have no control over bad things. NOW: You can ask for help and do what is right. 7. Used to think: I couldn’t say anything if it was going to make the other person upset. NOW: Boundaries and respecting myself is just as important. Is is critical to reach teens as they begin their dating lives. Megan's Foundation is 100% focused on our mission: To prevent relationship violence BEFORE it starts. And we back that up with funding to make it happen. www.megansfoundation.org #healthyrelationshipeducation #IPVprevention #highschools #colleges #Datingviolenceprevention #domesticviolenceprevention #primaryprevention #highereducation #alabamacommunitycolleges #HBCUs #grantstoschools #grantstocolleges #grantstononprofits #institutionalleadership #innovativefunding #catalystforchange #studentsmentalhealth

There is a BBC article today that states that more than 800,000 children in England and Wales have spent the past year living in abusive homes. This staggering figure surpasses the number of children starting primary school this year. In my Masters dissertation, I delved into the vital role of primary school communities in supporting children exposed to domestic abuse. I formulated the mnemonic guidance below with the aim to distill complex research into actionable steps, with a focus on nurturing positive relationships—a cornerstone of safeguarding. I'm heartened by Foundations' pioneering £2.6m study, aiming to enhance evidence-based interventions and ensure public funds are directed where they're most impactful. Domestic abuse's effects on children are manifold: from impairing their ability to form relationships to hindering educational attainment. Yet, initiatives like Foundations' study offer hope for innovative solutions. Let's leverage research, collaboration, and compassion to create a safer, more nurturing environment for all children. Together, we can make a difference. #DomesticAbuse #ChildWelfare #Education #ResearchImpact 📚💼

Cuts in a crisis - A debate we need to have across the UK    If there is no way through the public sector funding crisis then we need a very honest and open debate. Hoping for political honesty and transparency may be too idealistic but we at least need to have transparent processes. It seems we have slept walked to a point of no return. Cuts by stealth and shockingly for our democracy without detail or discussion. The alternative is we continue to react to the loudest voter voices and support universal services that are no longer affordable. In Scotland of course there is an argument for free university places or free prescriptions for all but not at the expense of those with no voice and who need our help the most. They cannot go unheard and pay the price. Charities step in to fill the gap but also suffer arbitrary cuts and living hand to mouth on funding are vulnerable. Just as the recent CSJ Think Tank report issued on the health of Scottish Charities noted, they are drowning not waving. This is not specific to Scotland but across the UK Do read The Times article and question what is happening in, for or to your community. There are really good people in local authorities but a system in which the maths don’t work.  

Chapman University students! Do you want to receive a 2024 American Eagle gold coin, valued at over $2,100, plus a free ticket (registration, hotel room up to 4 nights) to FreedomFest, set for July 10-13, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas? This year's Doti-Spogli Free EnterPRIZE student essay contest is on "What is the Best Solution to the Homeless Problem in California?" 11% of the homeless live in California, and the numbers are growing. Why has homelessness grown into a crisis? What are the best private and public solutions? Is Proposition 1, a $6 billion bond issue addressing homelessness and mental illness, a good idea?  The essay should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than 2,000 words. All Chapman students are eligible. Send your essay to Professor Mark Skousen at mskousen@chapman.edu no later than Friday, April 19. The award will be announced at the student awards ceremony in May. #ChapmanArgyros #EssayContest #FreeEnterPRIZE

💔 Two 12-year-olds sentenced for murder. 😔 A 19-year-old lost his life. 👀 How did we get here? This tragedy in my city of #Wolverhampton has been weighing heavily on my mind. Shawn, just 19, was waiting with friends when his life was taken - only months after arriving from abroad. As a father, with a 13 yr old young son, I can’t imagine the pain his family is going through. And as an educator, I feel an urgency to act. We need to do more, be more intentional, and fight harder to guide our youth away from paths of violence. How did these boys - just 12 years old - get here? In my view, key factors include: • Lack of Positive Role Models: Without guidance, youth are left to navigate life on their own, often falling into negative influences. • Emotional Disconnect: These young boys were struggling, likely feeling isolated and unable to manage their emotions. • Exposure to Violence: Social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok are normalizing violence, making harmful actions seem easy or justified. What Can We Do as Educators? → Build Emotional Intelligence: Incorporate social-emotional learning to teach empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. → Create Safe Spaces: Schools should be sanctuaries where students feel supported, and community spaces - like youth zones or recording studios - can be transformative. → Early Interventions: Identify and support at-risk youth through counselling, mentoring, and after-school programs. → Strengthen Community Ties: Partner with local organisations to offer positive outlets like sports, arts, and music. → Educate About Consequences: Use real-life stories, like Shawn’s, to teach about the severe impacts of violence. → Promote Positive Peer Influence: Foster a culture of kindness and respect to create a more supportive environment. This is a Shared Responsibility. Preventing youth violence is not just on schools - it’s on all of us. We must prioritise prevention, education, and early intervention over punishment. Shawn’s tragic death is a wake-up call.... We have the power to change the narrative, one lesson, one conversation, one connection at a time. 👉 Let’s come together to build a brighter future for our youth. Follow John Paul for more insights on how we can make a difference. #YouthViolencePrevention #CommunitySupport #EducationMatters

Students, families, educators, and school board members across America are facing unprecedented attacks from far-right extremists who want to dismantle our public schools. But if we show up, speak out, and make our voices heard, we can take back the momentum. The majority of Americans want honest, equitable, and fully funded public schools, just like you.  Are you ready to step up in your school district, joining other people from across the country who feel the same as you? Our partners at HEAL Together have kicked off the #PublicSchoolStrong campaign with a monthly training series to give public school parents, family members, educators and supporters from across the country the tools they need to show up and effectively push school districts to promote, protect, and strengthen our public schools. #Education #PublicSchools #PublicSchoolStrong #Educators #Teachers #Students #parents #community #equity #campaign #Fullyfunded #Equitable #Promote #protect #Strengthen #HEALTogether

The Hidden Impact of Exploitation on Academic Performance In one study, 26% of girls aged 7 to 12 with a history of exploitation reported their grades dropped after the exploitation, while 48% had below-average grades. The trauma these children endure can deeply affect their ability to focus and succeed in school. Recognizing these academic changes can be a vital step in identifying and supporting children who have been exploited. At Pursuit Pathways, we are committed to raising awareness and providing families with the tools to help their children overcome these challenges. 👉 For more information or support, send us a DM or email us at info@pursuitpathways.com. Resources: Darkness to Light Statistics #ChildSafety #EducationMatters #EndChildExploitation #PursuitPathways

Truly enjoyed HGSE's Education Now discussion about Family & Community Engagement in Schools!! The panelists, Karen Mapp, Eyal Bergman, Ed.L.D., and Dr. Shadae Harris spoke from both research & practice in the field. Josephine M. Kim was a phenomenal facilitator drawing connections & raising poignant questions. Their 30 minute discussion is worth the listen & drove home some enduring truths about this work. https://lnkd.in/eJP6cZhp Here are some of my takeaways: 1. Relational trust between families & schools is everything & there are NO shortcuts to building it. 2. Strong family engagement should be a primary goal of schools rather than a "nice to have" because it leads to tangible, positive outcomes for students. 3. Acknowledging the hurts or traumas a community has faced is essential to repairing broken family-school relationships.

📚 Eradicating illiteracy demands collective effort and urgency.  Right now, 3 in 10 children in the US struggle to read by 4th grade, which increases their risk of dropping out and encountering legal troubles. While early intervention is critical, secondary students need considerable support as well. The challenge of a “do-over” feels daunting, but ignoring it isn't an option. High school teachers in Southeast Michigan are leading the way with evidence-based reading instruction and targeted support to break the cycle of systemic failure. Learn how we’re supporting Michigan educators to help secondary students succeed: https://hubs.la/Q02NNTRp0

"Number one is public schools need to be equitably funded. Number two is a justice-centered approach that meets students where they're at. Then we'll start to see this public good really become something that's a launching pad for young people." James Ford of NC based HEAL Partner CREED (Center for Racial Equity in Education) / HEAL Together NC. What do strong public schools mean to you? Let us know at the next #PublicSchoolStrong training tomorrow! https://bit.ly/psstraining