By Vanessa Trivento, Guardian ad Litem director for the 4th Judicial Circuit
To prevent child abuse, we must understand it. That’s why you have seen blue pinwheels and other signs that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The better we understand the long-term damage that trauma inflicts on children, the better we’ll be at stopping it.
We know childhood trauma – like regularly being hit or belittled, or witnessing domestic violence – can physically harm the body and brain for a lifetime.
And we know that fully half of Florida children who come into the child welfare system are there due to parental substance abuse, compared to 39% of children nationwide.
How can we help parents struggling with violence, addiction, mental illness or poverty, and keep more children in their homes and communities? That’s the discussion those of us at Guardian ad Litem want to have this month and every month.
That’s why the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program is studying trauma-informed care: So that our staff and volunteers understand how trauma manifested in the nearly 40,000 children we represented in Florida’s dependency courts last year, and how we can help the children we will serve in the future.
In the 4th Judicial Circuit, which includes Clay, Duval and Nassau counties, there are 1,875 children in the dependency system, most in out-of-home care.
You can help them by learning about the programs and services offered and about what you can do to make sure they are available and accessible.
You can mentor children or families, serve on a committee or board, or contact your elected officials to ask for their support of child abuse and neglect prevention.
You can help by attending or hosting child abuse prevention fundraising events, or by making a personal contribution.
According to Prevent Child Abuse America, most adults already do prevention work by mentoring children or parents (70%), donating time or money to groups that serve children (80%), or advocating for policies that improve children’s well-being (77%).
So, although you probably are involved in some form of prevention already, consider taking it to the next level.
Can you volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem to be the voice for a child? Without an advocate, the odds are stacked against children in foster care.
A child with a volunteer advocate spends 20% less time in foster care than a child without one. Studies show children with volunteer advocates receive more critical services than those without and are four times more likely to find a permanent home.
We are grateful for the 508 certified Guardian ad Litem volunteers in the 4th Circuit and to our many donors and community partners. Lasting change comes from their positive actions.
To learn more about how you can help, visit galfirstcoast.org or call (904) 255-8440.