Advocating for Family Strengthening Throughout the Year: Interim Committee Updates from the Capitol

Advocating for Family Strengthening Throughout the Year: Interim Committee Updates from the Capitol

by | Aug 30, 2023 | Advocacy

This summer, while the Colorado State Legislature is out of session, Illuminate Colorado is engaged with two interim committees: the Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee and the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee.

Through engaging with these interim committees, Illuminate Colorado is ensuring that policy makers have the information they need to write effective legislation that has strong potential to strengthen families and communities across the state.  

Policy can support and strengthen families impacted by substance use.

The Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee is working to respond to challenges associated with substance use disorders in Colorado by identifying gaps in prevention, intervention, harm reduction and treatment—and identify possible legislative solutions. Illuminate is engaging with the Committee to ensure policymakers understand and consider the unique challenges faced by families impacted by substance use.

In July, Illuminate Colorado’s Executive Director, Jade Woodard, presented to the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee on ways we can strengthen families impacted by substance use. Woodard discussed three strategies that Illuminate Colorado has prioritized in our work: access to child care, safe storage of substances, and recovery support for families.

All families need access to high-quality, affordable child care in order to thrive.

Woodard described the unique challenges caregivers experience in accessing child care while receiving substance use treatment and support, and how programs, such as Illuminating Child Care—which provides free childcare for families while caregivers receive recovery services—can reduce barriers to care. 

Ensuring that potentially harmful substances are not accessible to children is one way to increase safety in the home.

When speaking with the Committee, Woodard explained the need for increased public awareness of safe storage practices through consumer messaging and training for children, families, and family-serving professionals.

In Colorado, there is a high need for recovery support services for caregivers impacted by substance use disorders.

Woodard shared how Circle of Parents in Recovery, a program supported by Illuminate Colorado, provides a free, confidential, and supportive space where caregivers can share and learn with their peers in recovery.

This August, Illuminate Policy Manager Lex Loutzenhiser provided public testimony to the Committee about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and the role of policy in increasing Colorado’s capacity to prevent FASDs and to respond to the needs of individuals and families impacted by FASD. Learn more by reading our recent blog, Strengthening Colorado Families Impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through Policy.

Lex Loutzenhiser

Policy Manager

Child welfare system involvement is preventable through policy solutions.

The Child Welfare System Interim Committee is working to identify and address issues within the child welfare system in Colorado. Illuminate is excited to engage with the Committee to highlight the role of prevention and proactive, upstream policy solutions to prevent and reduce child welfare system involvement.

Woodard presented to the committee a necessary foundation of information needed to understand how to strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment.

She began by introducing how the five research-informed Protective Factors help families to deal effectively with stressful events, reducing the risk for child maltreatment. Policy plays a role in promoting the five Protective Factors by increasing the resources, connections, and supports available to communities that help families thrive.

Next, Woodard shared some concrete strategies that Illuminate Colorado has employed to strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment. 

        • Through programs such as Circle of Parents and Family Connects that provide support outside of the child welfare system, Illuminate has actively invested in family well-being infrastructure that promotes protective factors for all Colorado families.
        • Through encouraging warm connections and proactive referrals, Illuminate has also worked to ensure that family-serving professionals have the resources they need to connect families with supportive services when they are experiencing increased stress, such as food or housing insecurity.
        • Colorado Connected, a campaign supported by Illuminate, is actively working to empower parents to ask for support, offer support to one another, and normalize supportive parenting networks to create strong families.

Finally, Woodard discussed how strengthening programs that support families involved with the child welfare system, such as Circle of Parents and other evidence-based programs, promote healing and prevent recurrences of maltreatment. 

Illuminate Colorado will continue to advocate for policy that strengthens families and prevents child maltreatment.

As both committees solidify bill concepts and prepare for the upcoming legislative session, Illuminate will continue to engage with the interim committees to share expertise and recommendations to advocate for policy that strengthens families and prevents child maltreatment. 

stay tuned for updates

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Make a Connection: Supportive Networks of Community Raise Thriving, Happy Children

Make a Connection: Supportive Networks of Community Raise Thriving, Happy Children

by | Aug 23, 2023 | General

Colorado Connected is a campaign designed to inspire parents to build a network to turn to when they need “back up” and to encourage friends, families, and neighbors to become a “village” of support. The goal is to empower parents to ask for support, offer support to one another, and to normalize supportive parenting networks to create strong families.

There’s a reason they say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s because it’s true! Every parent needs a network of community support to raise thriving, happy children. Having a network of people we trust gives us a sense of community and is strongly linked with physical and mental health, happiness, and longevity. Not just for us, but for our kids, too! A supportive network surrounding parents and families helps to reduce stress, fosters nurturing parenting habits so we can be at our best, and builds atmospheres where children flourish.

“Colorado Connected is more than just a campaign; it’s a movement to redefine the way we approach parenthood. We’re not just promoting support networks; we’re championing a culture of empathy and togetherness. By normalizing the idea of parents asking for help and communities coming together, we’re shaping a brighter future for Colorado families.”

-Ryan Kistler, Director of Communications at Illuminate Colorado

Support Parents In Your Community
By Building Connections

Making friends can be tough as an adult. Even though we all know we need support, sometimes saying so is easier said than done. Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a friend, or a neighbor, Colorado Connected has tips and tools to help you connect with your community. 

Tip for parents: You can create your village

Family doesn’t just mean blood relatives. Family is an idea and a feeling that can be expanded to include friends, neighbors, and co-workers around you. You have the power to build your support system and create the village you need.

  • Reach out. Taking the first step to make a connection is as simple as sending a message.
  • Say what you need. Be specific about how people can support you. Most people want to be helpful, and appreciate knowing how.

It’s okay to be vulnerable. Remember the song Lean On Me? “No one can fill, those of your needs, that you don’t let show.” (If you are too young, google it, and watch the movie! It’s a classic.)

Find more tips!

Tip for community members: Offer practical support

Practical support means we are offering the kind of support that a family needs. Dropping off dinner, offering a childcare break, coming over and listening, or offering emotional support and reassurance. Sometimes, offering a shoulder to cry on is the most helpful thing. Being clear to families in our circles that we are here and willing to do any of these things is the best way to build connected communities.

  • Reach out. Taking the first step to make a connection is as simple as sending a message.
  • Say what you need. Be specific about how people can support you. Most people want to be helpful, and appreciate knowing how.

It’s okay to be vulnerable. Remember the song Lean On Me? “No one can fill, those of your needs, that you don’t let show.” (If you are too young, google it, and watch the movie! It’s a classic.)

Find more tips!

Find more tips for parents and villagers!

Head to COConnected.com to find more tips on building connections in your community.

Find More Tools for Connecting

Colorado Connected has numerous tools to help you connect with your community!

Click here

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Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Communications Manager: Web & Design!

Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Communications Manager: Web & Design!

by | Aug 22, 2023 | General, Join the Team

Are you looking for a role where you can flex your website management and graphic design skills?

This position is for you!

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Manager: Web & Design position is responsible for managing Illuminate Colorado’s websites, focusing on creating visually appealing and user-friendly web experiences that align with Illuminate’s mission and goals. Additionally, this position will work on various graphic design projects, both digital and print, to support Illuminate’s initiatives and outreach efforts.

Duties of the Communications Manager: Web & Deisgn include:

    • Website Management
    • Front-End Web Design
    • Graphic Design for Digital and Print Projects

Click Here for the Full Job Description

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications:

    • 3-5 years of proven experience with web and graphic design work, with a portfolio showcasing web design projects and a diverse range of graphic design work.
    • Solid understanding of user-centered design principles and UX/UI best practices.
    • Familiarity with content management systems (preferably WordPress) and website analytics tools (preferably Google Analytics).
    • Proficiency in managing and configuring plugins within content management systems to extend website capabilities and meet specific project requirements.
    • Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other graphic design tools.
    • Creative thinking and strong problem-solving skills to overcome design challenges.
    • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
    • Passion for Illuminate’s mission and a desire to contribute to positive social change through design.

    Desireable: 

    • Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other relevant web development technologies. 
    • Knowledge of website domain registration, management, and DNS settings. 
    • Experience with integrating third-party APIs to enhance website functionality and streamline data exchange. 
    • Experience managing print design projects.

    • Spanish language proficiency.

    Compensation and Schedule:

    Full-time, salaried, exempt position eligible for benefits. Starting salary is negotiable and commensurate with skills and experience in the range of $50,000 – $60,000. 

    Illuminate Colorado offers health and dental benefits as well as participation in a 401K and Life Insurance benefits. In addition, Illuminate Colorado has an unlimited paid time off policy and offers both flexible scheduling and remote work. Residency in Colorado, or anticipated relocation to Colorado in the near future (at your own expense), is a condition of employment with Illuminate.

    Click Here to View the Complete Job Posting!

    To Apply:

    Please submit a cover letter, resume with portfolio or link to portfolio, and three references via email with “Communications Manager: Web & Design” in the subject line to hiring@illuminatecolorado.org.

    Application Deadline:

    September 8, 2023 at 5pm

     

    We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

    Check out these other job postings!

    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

    by | Aug 2, 2023 | Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, General

    Tip Colorado empowers adults to help their community—and Colorado—reach a tipping point where children grow up happy, healthy, and safe in communities that prevent children from experiencing sexual abuse.

    If enough adults in a community take a free live, interactive training, then, together, we can create a new standard of child safety throughout Colorado.

    Reaching the tipping point is so important, we updated the Tip Colorado website to better connect you with trainings!

    The new website features an interactive map showcasing how far each county is in their journey to reach their tipping point, information to help you decide which training to take first, and a calendar where you can view and sign up for trainings that work for your learning goals and schedule!

    In order to prevent child sexual abuse, adults need to take greater responsibility to educate themselves on how to create safer communities where everyone is actively thinking about how to prevent children from experiencing sexual abuse.

    At TipColorado.org, you can find more information on the simple, effective strategies adults can use to protect children from child sexual abuse.  

    Choose from three free trainings!

    All three trainings are currently provided for free to all Coloradans thanks in large part to support from the Colorado Children’s Abuse Prevention Trust Fund in the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

    Lines in the Sand

    Lines in the Sand: Indentifying and Addressing Boundary Violations provides important context about setting boundaries and identifying behaviors that have been identified within the sexual grooming model.

    What to Expect When Talking the "Talk"

    What to Expect When Talking the “Talk”: Preparing for Conversations about Sexual Development throughout Childhood provides important information about apporaching conversations that impact positive sexual development.

    Stewards of Children®

    Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning two-hour training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. 

    Anne Auld, Illuminate Colorado Deputy Director

     

    “There are multiple ways adults can prevent child sexual abuse. Having a spectrum of training opportunities that can be taken together, or individually, provides more tools and a better understanding of how child sexual abuse can be prevented in all kinds of settings, like youth serving organizations, schools, and at home.

    For anyone working with children and youth, having a solid foundation of what healthy sexual development can look like, and how to talk about that development with other professionals or parents is vital in creating safe spaces, and recognizing when there may be problematic behaviors.”

    “Each training is strength-based, discussion focused, and aims to increase confidence and knowledge on how we each play a role in preventing child sexual abuse.” 

    Visit TipColorado.org
    Sign Up for a Training

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    Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Strategic Initiatives Associate – Behavioral Health Part-Time! (POSITION FILLED)

    Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Strategic Initiatives Associate – Behavioral Health Part-Time! (POSITION FILLED)

    by | Jul 26, 2023 | General, Join the Team

    Are you looking for a role where you can flex your logistics management and task coordination skills?

    This position is for you!

    Under the guidance of the Strategic Initiatives Manager, the Strategic Initiatives Associate is responsible for managing logistics and coordinating tasks for coalitions and other collaborative spaces, with an emphasis on behavioral health efforts that strengthen families.

    The Grants & Events Manager will:

      • Manage meeting scheduling and logistics, including the creation of virtual meeting links, creation and maintenance of calendar invitations, and support of in-meeting technology needs
      • Document accurate and timely meeting notes, attendance tracking, support collection and maintenance of participants’ demographic information and shared documents
      • Coordinate event planning and logistics for related meetings, summits, learning sessions, or other events

    Click Here for the Full Job Description

    Experience, Skills, and Qualifications:

      • One to three years of coordination or administrative experience, including communications support experience
      • Experience working with coalitions and/or community organizing experience
      • Strong attention to detail, superior task management and organizational skills
      • Passion for supporting collaborative processes
      • Excellent written communication skills
      • Commitment to advancing social and racial equity through collective action
      • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain highly collaborative working relationships with individuals of diverse professional backgrounds, technical expertise, and lived experience
      • Ability to balance multiple projects with shared deadlines while being responsive to emergent needs
      • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Google Workspace

      Desireable: 

      • Experience and/or knowledge related to child maltreatment prevention, Strengthening Families protective factors, and/or maternal child health
      • Experience working with a broad range of populations, particularly in a coalition capacity
      • Proficiency in using MailChimp, Apricot, Smartsheet, Alchemer, and/or similar systems
      • Fluency in Spanish

      Compensation and Schedule:

      This is a part-time salaried position (20-24 hours/week). Starting salary is negotiable and commensurate with skills and experience in the range of $20,000 – $25,000. 

      This position may be eligible for an increase to full time in the future. 

      Illuminate Colorado offers health and dental benefits as well as participation in a 401K and Life Insurance benefits. This position will be eligible for benefits at a prorated amount. 

      In addition, Illuminate Colorado provides part-time employees paid time off benefits equating to 3 weeks of their regularly scheduled work week and offers both flexible scheduling and remote work. Residency in Colorado, or anticipated relocation to Colorado in the near future (at your own expense), is a condition of employment with Illuminate.

      Click Here to View the Complete Job Posting!

      To Apply:

      Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references via email with “Strategic Initiatives Associate” in the subject line to hiring@illuminatecolorado.org.

      Application Deadline:

      August 6, 2023

       

      We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

      Check out these other job postings!

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