Summer has officially begun in Colorado! Here at Illuminate Colorado we are hard at work strengthening families, organizations and communities to prevent child maltreatment– and we could use your help!
There are numerous ways for everyone to join in: take a training, join a work group, or attend a professional development network.
Whether you’re a direct-service professional, caregiver, or community member, there is something for you! Check out some ideas below:
Take a Training
Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE)
This free training for everyone– professionals, caregivers, and community members– offers a paradigm shift in the way practitioners approach their work with families and children, from one that emphasizes deficits and problems, to one that actively seeks out strengths and assets. The course presents background information on the health effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the research showing how key positive childhood experiences (PCEs) prevent and mitigate the effects of ACEs and toxic stress resulting in improved health outcomes.
Lines in the Sand
By setting clear boundaries and limits, we can reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. Clear boundaries and limits are something we learn over time, through interaction and accepted patterns of behavior. How do we ensure that when our boundaries–or those of children and youth–are violated, we stop a negative pattern of behavior from being normalized? Through education, vigilance, and clear communication, we can minimize opportunity for child and youth victimization. This course will increase understanding of your own boundaries and prepare you to set clear expectations that lead to greater community safety.
This free training is for everyone, and you will learn to: Recognize important types of boundaries for physical safety, identify grooming behavior patterns that can lead to sexual abuse, and respond to boundary violations and articulate clear boundaries and expectations.
Stewards of Children
If enough adults in a community take this FREE two-hour interactive online training then, together, we can create a new standard of child safety in your community and throughout Colorado.
In this training you’ll learn: Simple, effective strategies for protecting children from child sexual abuse, the importance of talking about the prevention of child sexual abuse with children as well as your coworkers and neighbors, the types of situations in which child sexual abuse can occur, signs of child sexual abuse in order to intervene and react responsibly, and facts about the problem of child sexual abuse in Colorado today.
Smart Choices Safe Kids Conversation Guide for Professionals on Substance Use, Children & Families
This training is a tool for professionals to provide direction on strengths-based conversations with families on substances and substance use, including sections on safe storage, safe and engaged caregiving and the Strengthening Families Protective Factors.
This virtual 4-hr training includes video vignettes, interactive activities and opportunities to practice universal, transparent conversations about safety!
Join a Work Group
SuPPoRT Colorado Work Groups
SuPPoRT Colorado Work Groups are voluntary, statewide collaboratives that operate under the SuPPoRT Colorado Steering Committee and is focused on the Committee’s priority to ensure systems, and the people who work within them, develop policies and practices with families that support warm handoffs and standardize practices to address inequities.
Provider Education and Plans of Safe Care Work Group
This Work Group aims to advance SuPPoRT Colorado’s goals by expanding healthcare provider education resources related to substance use and pregnancy, and supporting implementation of Plans of Safe Care at community, hospital, and county child welfare levels.
This work group will be meeting in July, sign up for email updates to receive the date, time, and zoom link!
Policy Analysis Work Group
This Work Group aims to advance SuPPoRT Colorado’s goals by translating the group’s policy priorities into state-level policies utilizing key considerations and findings.
Sign up for information about joining the July and August meetings!
FASD Awareness Work Group
This Work Group aims to advance SuPPoRT Colorado’s goals by addressing the needs of individuals and families impacted by FASDs in Colorado, through advocacy, education, and awareness efforts.
Sign up for information about joining the July and August meetings!
Data and Research Advisory Group
This Work Group aims to advance SuPPoRT Colorado’s goals by advancing data capacity and research priorities regarding perinatal substance use prevention, treatment, and wraparound support systems and services.
Sign up for information about joining the August meeting!
Colorado Infant Safe Sleep Partnership Meeting (ISSP)
The mission of the ISSP is to support families, providers, organizations, and policymakers to increase infant safe sleep practices and address related barriers and disparities through education, practice change and, systems improvement. If you are interested in the promotion of safe sleep practices across Colorado, this meeting is for you!
Become an active member of the ISSP to receive information about the July 10th meeting, and all other communication going forward!
Join a Network of Professionals
Illuminate Colorado coordinates the Colorado Strengthening Families Network, hosting a quarterly online learning community for professionals across sectors to stay on top of new research and best practices related to the protective factors.
If you work directly with families, this Network is for you. Come to the next meeting and see what it’s all about! In this space, you can grow personally and professionally around an understanding of the protective factors, how it applies to your life, and the work that you do. The topic for the August meeting will be “Maximizing Cross-System Collaboration.”
Let Parents Know You’ve Got Their Back
A supportive network surrounding families helps reduce stress and fosters nurturing parenting habits and better outcomes for children. Help parents in your community to build a network to turn to when they need “back up” and by encouraging friends, families, and neighbors to become a “village” of support. Check out COConnectioned.org to find tools for community members and partners who want to help families develop stronger connections.
Stay Up to Date with The Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families
The Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families (the Partnership) works collaboratively across Colorado to identify what communities need in order to be safe and supportive spaces for families. Join the all-Partnership meeting, work groups, and more by signing up for email updates!
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