Mountain View
The Chronicle of Social Change
The Intersection of Generational Trauma
Chantel Jackson is a New York native living in Manhattan, New York. She is a passionate advocate for youth affected by the child welfare system and parental incarceration. She is pursuing a bachelor's in Ayurvedic wellness and integrative health with a specialization in consciousness and human potential to become an Ayurvedic consultant. Recently, she launched her own mental health community-based business, Whole Care Wellness, providing culturally-centered mental health resources to young people ages 16-26. Jackson has also been a published writer since the age of 18 and a multi-faceted creative artist in many mediums like singing/songwriting, photography, digital art, bass and guitar, and jewelry making. In her free time, she likes playing video games, watching anime, reading, and spending time in nature and with friends.
When Help Hurts: Foster Care v. My Mom
Jose A. Perez, MPS, is a poet, actor, and advocate who grew up in New York City’s foster care system, group homes, juvenile institutions, and adult prison. Entering prison at 16, Perez emerged three years ago at 35, having transformed his life behind bars. While incarcerated, he became an actor and poet, earning an associate's degree from Bard College, a bachelor's degree from Nyack College through HudsonLink, and a master’s degree in professional studies from the New York Theological Seminary. Perez’s artistic journey included over 15 prison productions with the Art Tree theater group and poetry workshops with the Harvest Moon Collective and Beat poet Janine Pommy Vega. He collaborated with notable poets such as Bob Holman, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Amiri Baraka. He also contributed to various prisoner-run organizations and was later accepted into the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, performing in "Cyrano" at Fishkill and then later "1776" in Sing Sing. Now a program strategist for the Children’s Defense Fund-NY, Perez uses his experiences to advocate for housing, economic mobility, and self-determination for system-involved youth. He is a sought-after speaker, presenting at venues like the New York State Capitol, Howard University, Columbia University, and the White House. He also serves on the District Attorney of New York City’s Reentry Council Board. As a spoken word artist and actor, Perez has performed at various theaters and showcases, including the Public Theater, We Are Here, Lincoln Center, the Bushwick Starr Theater, The Shed, and the Shrine in West Harlem. His poetry collection, “‘Till Ink Meets Paper,” recounts his reconnection with his mother during their incarceration and is set for release in fall 2024.
Why is National Child Welfare Leadership Silent on Child Deaths?
Emily Putnam-Hornstein is the John A. Tate Distinguished Professor for Children in Need at the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sarah Font is an associate professor of sociology and public policy at Penn State University.
Minnesotans Rally On State Supreme Court Steps to Protest Latest Challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act
Alex Perez is a Minnesota-based reporter covering child welfare. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a master’s degree in investigative journalism. He received a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from North Central College. Nancy Marie Spears. Nancy Marie Spears works nationally...
The Blame-and-Shame Cycle in Child Welfare Needs to End
Jodi Hill-Lilly is commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and executive committee co-chair of the National Partnership for Child Safety. Chip Spinning is executive director of Franklin County Children’s Services in Ohio and executive committee co-chair of the National Partnership for Child Safety.
Finding My Way Back to My Native Identity
Jessica Smith grew up in Saint Paul, MN. Smith is Indigenous and was adopted at the age of 2 into a non-Native household. Smith had a decent childhood until about 12 years old. After Smith went through some traumatic experiences of physical and mental abuse and sexual exploitation, she became an advocate for other women and youth that have experienced trauma. Smith has certificates in youth mental health first aid, Native-specific domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy, opioid overdose prevention and response training, and many more. Smith is also a single mom of two young boys who inspire her everyday to become a better person in this world and motivate her to become the mom she always wanted. Smith's core values are integrity, authenticity, respect, and honesty. Smith's inspirations are to be the first in her family to finish college, to give back to her community, and to be the best mom she can be.
LA County ILP Services Need to Extend the Age for Older Foster Youth
Thalia Bernal recently graduated with a degree in rhetoric and writing, television and film, and communications from San Diego State University. She says “Writing is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful tools we have. I first fell in love with it when I used it as a coping mechanism growing up — the foster care system was my nightmare and writing was my savior.” She uses her creative energy to tell stories that leave impact and transforms what most people call unfortunate circumstances or imperfections into strength through writing.
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Launched in 2013, The Chronicle of Social Change is an independent, nonpartisan daily news publication dedicated to covering the child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and educational issues faced by vulnerable children and families.
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