by Linda Manaugh, MEd, Chief Programs Officer Potts Family Foundation

“The key to effectively preventing child maltreatment is to tackle the root cause of the maltreatment and focus on primary prevention measures,” said LaChez English, CBCAP Grant Coordinator for the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). “We can achieve both these objectives by working closely with caregivers and young people with lived experiences to provide them with the necessary supports and services that they need and will utilize. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which provides an opportunity to recognize the work being done in Oklahoma for children and families and also to identify areas that need improvement.”

April was designated as National Child Abuse Prevention month in 1983 and has long been recognized in Oklahoma. In a change from the traditional annual “kick-off” sponsored by her department, English partnered with the Potts Family Foundation to hold an event outside the state’s two major metro areas. Raising Resilience in Oklahoma, a day-long event at SouthernTech in Ardmore, was a community-led initiative that aimed to spark difficult but essential conversations among the participants. “These conversations will help foster stronger relationships between children and the adults in their lives, and that is the cornerstone of resilient families, communities, and a resilient Oklahoma,” English said.

The morning and afternoon sessions began with a viewing of the award-winning documentary film Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope, followed by a panel discussion. The morning panel included Mendy Spohn, OSDH Deputy Commissioner; Dr. JaHannah Jamelarin, psychiatrist and Chief Integrated Health Officer at Good Shepherd Community Clinic and Amanda Henley Morton, LMFT, LPC Director of Children and Family Services at Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Centers and was moderated by Chris Munn, OSDH Regional Administrator.

At the state level, Spohn shared, “I feel a sense of burden and urgency around the topic of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and social determinants of health. I also see that there is momentum and collaboration going on around these topics. I see resilience increasing as community partners come together to work together to serve the community where people live and work. Public health is beginning to do a better job of talking about the protective factors and making sure everyone has this important information.”

“There is a growing body of evidence-based practices that offer needed skills for parents and children to put in their toolbox,” said Amanda Henley-Morton. “Research indicates that it only takes five minutes of undivided attention each day between an adult and a child to help them feel connected and loved.”

Before the afternoon screening started, Ellen Roberts, Director of Ardmore Behavioral Health Collaborative, introduced Vice Mayor Nancy Sjulin who read a proclamation on behalf of the Ardmore City Council and mayor proclaiming April as Child Wellness and Family Support Month.
The afternoon panel included Dr. Deb Shropshire, Cabinet Secretary for Governor Stitt and Director of Oklahoma Human Services; Kaylan Weldon Gary, Executive Director of Community Youth Services, and Sara Roberts, Guidance Counselor at Ardmore High School. Thep panel was moderated by Lorri Essary, OSDH Director of Family Support & Prevention Service. Rep. Tammy Townley was also in attendance and was introduced by the moderator.

In response to a question about how state agencies are responding to this information, Dr. Shropshire said, “In our agency, we serve people across the age spectrum, and everyone needs to understand this information. When you know something, you can see it and name it and figure out how to effectively work on it. We’ve been working hard to train our staff to ask the question of people we interact with “what has happened to you” rather than “what’s wrong with you?” The film helps normalize the conversation and remind us that people have gone through things in their lives that affect how they interact with others and how they parent.”

Gary said, “It’s important for us to realize that all parents need help and that asking for help is normal. Parenting takes a village. We tend to think that asking for help is a sign of weakness but actually it’s a brave thing to do, it’s ok and actually takes strength.”

Roberts shared that they are seeing a direct correlation at the high school between kids with trauma histories presenting with health issues. They are also beginning to see improvements at the school with an embedded mental health worker.

“National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect,” said English. “Prevention services and supports developed by this collaboration can help parents, other caregivers, and communities protect children and strengthen families.”