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Reflections from Montgomery: A Journey Through History, Advocacy, and the Path to Liberation: Part 3 of 3

A fountain at the Civil Rights Memorial Center, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Voices for Virginia’s Children is proud to be a grantee of the Alliance for Early Success. The Alliance for Early Success is a national nonprofit that works with early childhood policy advocates at the state level to ensure that every child, birth through eight, has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.   The Alliance for Early Success replaced its annual grantee meeting with an all-new offering focused on supporting state advocacy organizations in their efforts to become allies for antiracism. The Alabama Experience brought teams from state grantee organizations—200 people in all—on a shared journey to Montgomery, Alabama, that incorporated the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy…

Reflections from Montgomery: A Journey Through History, Advocacy, and the Path to Liberation: Part 2 of 3 

The March Continues hallway in the Southern Poverty Law Center Exhibit Voices for Virginia’s Children is proud to be a grantee of the Alliance for Early Success. The Alliance for Early Success is a national nonprofit that works with early childhood policy advocates at the state level to ensure that every child, birth through eight, has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.   The Alliance for Early Success replaced its annual grantee meeting with an all-new offering focused on supporting state advocacy organizations in their efforts to become allies for antiracism. The Alabama Experience brought teams from state grantee organizations—200 people in all—on a shared journey to Montgomery, Alabama, that incorporated the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites and many of the…

Reflections from Montgomery: A Journey Through History, Advocacy, & the Path to Liberation: Part 1 of 3

Voices for Virginia’s Children is proud to be a grantee of the Alliance for Early Success. The Alliance for Early Success is a national nonprofit that works with early childhood policy advocates at the state level to ensure that every child, birth through eight, has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. The Alliance for Early Success replaced its annual grantee meeting with an all-new offering focused on supporting state advocacy organizations in their efforts to become allies for antiracism. The Alabama Experience brought teams from state grantee organizations—200 people in all—on a shared journey to Montgomery, Alabama, that incorporated the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites and many of the city’s other powerful spaces that explore our nation’s history of racial injustice…

Voices 25th Anniversary

For nearly 25 years, Voices for Virginia’s Children has been fulfilling its mission to champion public policies that improve the lives of Virginia’s children. As we celebrate our quarter-century anniversary, we acknowledge the foresight and determination of our founders, who ensured that – even though children cannot vote – they are represented by an independent, nonpartisan voice at the state capitol and beyond. We also look to the future with a commitment to expand our efforts to shape policies that create a brighter future for Virginia’s youngest residents. We could not have made such a huge difference in the lives of kids without support from both sides of the aisle. And it’s taken many years to get to this point!…

Trauma-Informed Community Networks

The Virginia TICNs are a multi-sector coalition of networks throughout the state focused on building resilience and preventing and mitigating the impact of trauma in their communities and creating a more trauma-informed and resilient culture in Virginia. The VA TICNs work together with state partners to change practices, policies, systems within their regions and at the state level. Greater Richmond SCAN convenes bi-monthly meetings of the VA TICNs, provides support and technical assistance to the 26 networks, and distributes a bi-weekly eNote with resources and events. Some of the networks are well established with regular meetings and leadership structures. Others are just beginning the conversations. In each of these communities, these networks share common characteristics: spreading awareness, conducting training, support…

Definitions

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/index.html https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/ https://developingchild.harvard.edu/ https://www.centerforyouthwellness.org/ https://www.samhsa.gov/

Equitable & Trauma-Informed Policy

While the term trauma-informed care policy and practices are important, Voices acknowledges that it is incomplete. Trauma-informed care correctly highlights the specific needs of individuals who have exposure to trauma. A healing centered approach to addressing trauma requires a different question that moves beyond “what happened to you” to “what’s right with you” in order to view those exposed to trauma as agents in the creation of their own well-being rather than victims of traumatic events. Trauma-informed care operates at the individual-level rather than a collective one. However, in the wake of the pandemic, Black Lives Matter, and today’s modern civil rights movement, we must recognize that populations are disproportionately impacted by trauma need a different approach, one that acknowledges their collective experience…

Links

Racial Truth & Reconciliation Week Retelling of History Knowing our history is a critical component for understanding racial inequities and structural racism. The history of the United States is usually taught in school from the perspective of the dominant culture (that is, from a colonizer’s perspective). The typical story about race in the U.S. lays out some of the struggles, but without fully explaining the causes – particularly the racist policies and actions of the U.S. government. Racial Equity Tools provides an overview and timeline of the history of colonialism and racism in the U.S. as well as of resistance and movements. Racial Reconciliation & Truth Race Equity Tools and Resources Racial Equity Tools is a website designed to support individuals and groups working…

Mission & Goals

To empower the voices and experiences of marginalized communities in acknowledgment of truth to promote healing, reconciliation, and justice for children and families. The campaign seeks to advance policies that dismantle systems that perpetuate racial trauma, oppression, and inequity. To educate Virginians on the impact of cultural, historical, and racial trauma. To encourage allies to participate in advocacy and activism to deconstruct systems of oppression. To promote equity, inclusion, and justice to combat the impact of systematic racism and oppression on communities, families, and children. To tell the truths and the stories of Black Indigenous Communities of Color, including the retelling of history and the experiences of communities of color. To promote diversity and inclusion of communities of color, the…

Partners in Solidarity

Name (First)Name (Last)Organization (Optional)Website (Optional)EdenSchneiderAlexWatkinsChildren’s Trust/ Roanoke TICNhttps://www.roact.org/programs/trauma-informed-community-networkRagenJohnsonAlternatives, Inc.http://www.altinc.orgAPRILESTRADAImpact Living Serviceshttps://impactlivingservices.org/MichaelHayesYou Can Too, INCHttps://Youcantooinc.orgSarahMcFarlandThe Links CenterHttp://www.thelinkscenterinc.orgLynetteDiazJames City Count DSS Care Teamhttps://jamescitycountyva.gov/3647/Care-TeamJenniferRootVirginia Association for the Education of Young Childrenhttps://www.vaaeyc.orgMary DunneStewartGreater Richmond Fit for Kidshttp://www.grfit4kids.orgChristinaHatchRoanoke Children’s Trusthttp://www.roact.orgKathyHarkeyNAMI Virginiahttps://www.namivirginia.orgRebeccaVinrootGreater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Networkhttps://www.uwvp.org/gwticnBruceCruserMental Health America of Virginiahttp://www.mhav.orgDemetriosPeratsakisWestern Tidewater Community Services Boardhttp://www.wtcsb.orgMelissaMcGinnGreater Richmond SCANhttp://grscan.com/DeidreJohnsonVocal Virginiahttp://www.vocalvirginia.orgDianeUmsteadVirginia Piedmont Smart Beginningshttps://www.smartbeginningsvp.org/BrianHundleyDanville Pittsylvania Community Services Boardhttp://www.dpcs.orgMartineGordonWashington Area Women’s Foundationhttp://wawf.orgDeeAlexanderVirginia Housing Counselors Associationhttp://www.vahousingcounselors.orgErinFryeRichmond Culture WorksHttp://Www.Richmondcultureworks.orgCharmaineCarterCarter Entertainmenthttps://www.mycarterentertainment.comBetsyDoudreUp Trainingshttp://www.reuptrainings.comKendaSutton-ELBirth in Color RVAHttp://www.birthincolorrva.orgAmyStriteFamily Lifelinehttp://www.familylifeline.orgDebbieBrinkleyArmed Services YMCA of Hampton Roadshttps://www.asymca.org/hampton-roadsJudithMartensVCU Early Childhood Mental Health VAhttp://www.ecmhva.org/LisaSpecter-DunawayFamilies Forward Virginiahttp://www.familiesforwardva.orgMichelleWagamanThe Community Collaborativehttps://thecommunitycollaborative.org/SarahHollandVirginia Health Catalysthttp://www.vahealthcatalyst.orgAliciaLenahanPiedmont CASAhttp://pcasa.org/BethParkerMinus 9 to 5http://www.minus9to5.orgSophieFontaineNAMI Youth Move VAhttp://www.facebook.com/youthmovevaRagenJohnsonAlternatives, INChttps://www.altinc.orgJacquelineBryantReady Kids Charlottesvillehttps://www.readykidscville.orgCoryRichardson LauveVirginia Home for Boys & Girlshttp://www.vhbg.orgChloeEdwardsBlack Lives Matter 804http://www.blacklivesmatter804.orgTinaStevensI’M JUST ME MOVEMENThttps://www.imjustmemovement.org/BiancaMyrickPretty Purposedhttps://www.prettypurposed.org/

Talking Points

In June 2020, Virginia trauma-informed community networks convened to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on at-promised communities and the modern civil rights movement. They felt an innate urge to respond and react to two pandemics, COVID-19 and racism as a public health crisis. In response, there became a clear need to concentrate efforts on the impact of cultural, racial, and historical trauma on marginalized communities. This influenced them to launch Virginia’s first-ever Racial Truth & Reconciliation Week (RTRW) from August 2-8, 2020, which served as the launch of Racial Truth & Reconciliation Virginia, a campaign that implements the mission and goals of the week over a longer period of time. How Voices Works: Intersectionality addresses the interconnected nature of social…

Trauma-Informed Community Networks

Unified Policy Agenda

2022 Racial Truth & Reconciliation: Just Futures for Children & Young People Priorities The pandemic as a trauma in parallel with the inadvertent impact of cultural, racial, and historical trauma creates collectively experienced compound trauma across generations. Creating a sense of belonging and a just future for Virginia will require intersectional approaches, including equitable, trauma-informed, and just policies that dismantle systemic barriers so that all young people have access to leading long, healthy, and successful lives. Bill(s) We Support: Language Access Equity Report & Interagency Work Group| SB 270| Senator Hashmi| Establishes the Interagency Language Access Working Group in the Office of the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the following membership: the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Director…

Advocacy Opportunties

An Advocacy Council By Voices Voices for Virginia’s Children is establishing a cohort of young changemakers for our new advocacy council, Virginia’s Youth in Action (VAYA). This youth development program will enhance young people’s ability to engage with legislators and decision-makers to advance their communities through advocacy, storytelling, and community engagement. This cohort will learn how to share their stories and experiences with others and provide feedback on policies that affect them. The purpose of the cohort is to create a space for youth to have a voice at the table and establish meaningful change and influence in the systems that have impacted their lives. Advocacy Opportunities As the only statewide, multi-issue advocacy organization for children and youth, we have several policy…

2022 Foster Care General Assembly Outcomes

Bills We Supported SB 56 – Foster Care Prevention program | Senator Favola Status: Tabled (died) in House Appropriations (money committee) Summary: Establishes the Foster Care Prevention program to facilitate placements with relatives and ensure that such relatives are provided with the resources necessary to provide care for the child. The bill provides that a child is eligible to participate in the Foster Care Prevention program if the local department of social services (local department) determines that (i) the child is in the custody of a relative pursuant to a court order; (ii) the child’s parent or guardian voluntarily placed the child with such relative; (iii) the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the relative, and the relative has a strong commitment to…

2022 Legislative Agenda and Outcomes

Background: Voices empowers children, youth, and families who are disproportionately impacted by inequitable systems as agents in the creation of policy solutions that will ignite change in their communities. Through Racial Truth and Reconciliation Virginia and other partnerships, coalitions, and workgroups, Voices embraces a variety of perspectives, including that of direct-service professionals and policy professionals, to guide our work. Our aim is to always create trauma-informed and healing-centered spaces for advocates to share their truths and reconcile trauma through systems change. Far too long, policies in our country and Commonwealth perpetuate structural racism – interpersonally, institutionally, and systemically. This is evident among the disparities in access and outcomes across income and wealth, educational opportunities, and health. As Voices seeks to…

Campaign for a Trauma-Informed Virginia

About the Campaign Research shows us how to counteract adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by designing our systems to better serve our children. We know that 20% of children in Virginia have experienced two or more ACEs. These ACEs can shape the course of children’s health and development over a lifetime. Responsive relationships and strong communities can buffer the effects of ACEs. Our systems, programs, services, and staff should become trauma-informed to recognize children who have experienced trauma and to help foster resiliency. Initiatives are taking shape at the state and local level to help organizations and communities become more trauma-informed. At the same time, Virginia’s elected officials are engaged in important conversations on how to improve the safety and climate of schools, transform…

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