Resources

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Addressing social determinants of health is crucial for caring for at-risk children, as factors like economic stability, education, social support, and safe living conditions significantly impact their well-being and development. By improving these areas, we can create supportive environments that foster better health outcomes, reduce behavioral issues, and promote holistic growth, ensuring at-risk children have the resources they need to thrive.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are highly stressful events like poverty, domestic abuse, or maternal depression that can occur during childhood. These experiences can disrupt brain development, leading to lasting negative impacts on children's physical, mental, and emotional health. Acknowledging and addressing ACEs is crucial to mitigate their effects and provide the necessary support for healthy development, promoting resilience and well-being in affected children.

Restorative justice repairs harm, restores relationships, and rehabilitates individuals rather than punishing them. It emphasizes accountability and involves all stakeholders—those harmed, those responsible, and the community. In schools, it replaces punitive measures with mediation and dialogue, fostering support. In courts, it offers alternatives to incarceration, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration. Adopting restorative justice promotes healing, reduces recidivism, and strengthens co

"The "Counselors Not Cops" campaign advocates for replacing law enforcement in schools with psychologists, therapists, counselors, nurses, and Peacebuilders. This initiative aims to create safe, welcoming environments through positive measures. Research shows police in schools often harm student well-being, especially among students of color and those with disabilities, without improving safety. Investing in counselors addresses behavioral issues at their root and promotes positive development,

Trying children as adults is inhumane due to their developing brains, which impair decision-making and impulse control. Neuroscience shows adolescents are prone to risky behavior and peer pressure. The Supreme Court, in cases like Roper v. Simmons and Graham v. Florida, recognized that harsh punishments like death and life without parole are excessive for juveniles. Adolescents' cognitive immaturity makes them less culpable, warranting a focus on rehabilitation over severe punishment.