Child Advocates, Inc.

We are excited to learn that 'one of our own' incredible attorneys, Rachel Vilensky, has been selected to serve as a State Coordinator for Indiana by the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC). NACC trains and certifies attorneys and others in the child welfare system who represent children, families, and agencies. It also advocates for policy reform. NACC currently has 40 State Coordinators who support and connect a growing network of child welfare attorneys and other advocates for children who are in the system. Rachel is one of our Legal Services’ attorneys and the Director of our Direct Representation program which represents older children in the child welfare system. Child Advocates also has Immigration attorneys and attorney mediators for foster children and their families. Our CEO, Phyllis Armstrong says, “We understand the critical importance of supporting a network of attorneys and other advocates who represent children in the child welfare system. We all have the same goal—to build a better future for every child who has experienced abuse or neglect and deserves to have a permanent and safe home.” NACC selects state coordinators as volunteers to serve two terms and help build community and support for practitioners who serve children in the child welfare system. We thank NACC for this important work, and we are honored to be involved. (*See Rachel and other state coordinators in the NACC post link.)

She shouldn’t feel scared, but she is, due to abuse and neglect in her home as a child. He shouldn’t face racism, but he does, bearing pain he’s too young to comprehend. And children shouldn't struggle in school alone, but some do, when no one is helping them succeed. As Child Advocates, we champion children and families throughout Indiana seeking justice, equity, and well-being for them. ⭐Our attorneys represent children in the child welfare system who've experienced abuse and neglect, and that includes standing up for their rights in court, at no cost to the child. ⭐ Our educational liaisons offer free help for students in grades K-12 who struggle socially, emotionally, or academically due to life traumas or other challenges. ⭐Our race equity facilitators host “Interrupting Racism for Children” workshops for the community to help build a future where a child’s race will never predict their life outcomes. Join us and be a child advocate. If you know someone who needs our services or if you want to support our work, learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gb6xHtQc

“I faced mental, emotional, and physical abuse from my parents. I wouldn’t cry because I would be perceived as weak. Without my attorney, I would have gone back to an abusive home... Now, I’m in a new home and preparing for college. My attorney changed my life.”   These are the words of a teenage girl who once felt hurt, lost, and alone. She is one of thousands of vulnerable Indiana children in the child welfare system whom we have served. Rachel Vilensky, an attorney and the Director of our Direct Representation program, advocated for her rights in court.   Indiana is one of only a few U.S. states that does not mandate an attorney for foster children. Their abuser has a right to an attorney but the child does not. Child Advocates is the only organization in Indiana offering free, in-house attorneys for older children in the child welfare system so that they have a say in determining their future. According to the National Counsel for Children, when youth in the child welfare system have their own attorney, they are 40% more likely to leave the foster care system and find a safe, secure, and permanent home within the first six months. But there are countless foster children still waiting for a safe, permanent, and loving place to call home. And they could use an attorney to stand up for them.   This Giving Season, help us serve more children. Any gift you give will help change a child’s life. Please donate today: https://lnkd.in/eFwczFDJ #donate #children #preventabuse #childabuse #abuseawareness #childwelfare #justice #equity #wellbeing #childadvocacy #childadvocates

One thing we never take for granted? The generosity of people who give us gifts to help brighten the lives of the vulnerable children we serve during the holidays.   We want to thank the Indiana Pacers this season because the team and staff have been donating holiday gifts to Child Advocates for many years. The toys are part of the Pacers Season of Giving and their partnership with JAKKS Pacific, a toy manufacturer. We are sharing just a few photos of the toys they dropped off at our office. We also want to thank Nine13 Logistics because their staff volunteered to deliver the toys to the children's homes. You can just imagine the children's smiles when they receive these gifts as a part of our annual BIG Toy Giveaway. During the holidays, we see compassion in action and we never take it for granted. Neither do the children we serve. Thank you all for your hearts for children! #holiday #Christmas #gifts #GivingSeason #children #childadvocates #childadvocacy #nonprofit #thankyou #appreciation

Millions of children in the U.S. are hurting at this very moment as they face abuse, neglect, and other life traumas and challenges that can impact their future. As Child Advocates for more than 40 years, we have been fighting for justice, equity, and well-being for each of them. 🎯And we will do whatever it takes to build them a better future. But we can't do it alone. We hope you will take a moment to learn more about our services from our CEO, Phyllis Armstrong, by clicking on the short video, below. And then, during this Giving Season, join us. Be a child advocate. Make a lasting impact on a child's life. Please donate today: https://bit.ly/4gDZHpx #childwelfare #abuse #neglect #children #education #justice #equity #wellbeing #childadvocacy #childadvocates

It is always inspiring when your staff has opportunities to grow and help your business expand its impact. So, we are sharing great news about one of our child advocates. The Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) recently chose Christy Nunley to take part in its second annual Emerging Leaders of Color Fellowship. She will join thirty-five other exceptional Indiana youth workers of color who are involved in the cohort, which starts in January. The program is part of the Indiana Youth Worker Well-Being Project. That collaborative statewide program focuses on ‘caring for those who serve our kids.’ More specifically, it serves youth development professionals employed with community-based agencies, such as Child Advocates, that support the educational, social, emotional, and physical development of Indiana youth aged five to 18. 👉And the program also helps ensure that youth organizations increase and sustain progress toward being welcoming and inclusive workplaces and closing equity gaps in leadership.  Christy and other professionals working with youth will participate in an intensive six-month training and development series designed to enhance leadership capabilities and provide opportunities to cultivate robust community networks. Christy said, “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity being provided by Indiana Youth Institute. I believe it will be an opportunity to grow and advance my skills as a leader. I look forward to learning different approaches and techniques that will help further develop and enhance my ability to be a successful leader.” Our CEO, Phyllis Armstrong, said, "It's wonderful that IYI’s Indiana Youth Worker Well-Being Project awarded Christy with this leadership training and development opportunity. She has dedicated her career to serving youth. Her participation in the cohort will enhance Christy’s leadership." Learn more about IYI's next Emerging Leaders of Color Fellowship coming up in 2025 and how and when to apply here: https://bit.ly/3ViFtJy #leadership #diversity #equity #inclusion #dei #fellowship #growth #opportunity #nonprofit #youth #youthworkers

On this day to give thanks, we want to thank all of the wonderful families who are raising healthy, whole, and confident children. That includes foster families, adoptive families, and others who take care of children who may not have been born to them but whom you love as your own. This day is a reminder that family is a beautiful gift to us. It is a place where millions of children flourish because of unconditional love. So as child advocates, we send our appreciation to families today. We are thankful for you and so are the children we serve. #Thanksgiving #HappyThanksgiving #family #friends #love #children #thankful #celebration #holiday #childadvocates 

So, how much does your work team mean to you and the success of your business? Our Child Advocates team means "everything." We want to end this week with a shout-out and a big thank you to our kind, caring, compassionate, and experienced team of attorneys, social workers, educational professionals, family liaisons, race equity facilitators, I-T staff, and administrative assistants. These are just some of our team members at one of our recent events. But their hearts are as big as the moon, and their dedication unmatched for the vulnerable children we serve. This is more than work. This is a mission. And the world is a better and more beautiful place because of their advocacy for justice, equity, and well-being for every child. Be sure to thank your team! #thankyou #team #teamwork #employees #childadvocates #childadvocacy #childwelfare #racialequity #justice #equity #wellbeing #nonprofit

If you have a child who is struggling academically, socially, or emotionally in school, we may be able to help. Our educational liaisons offer free services to help improve educational outcomes for students in grades K-12. That includes cases where children were considered bullies or disruptors in school. In one instance, when parents sought help from our educational liaisons for their child, whom some considered a bully, our educational liaisons met with school administrators, teachers, and parents to work on a plan to help the student. That is when they learned that the student had mental health issues. Together they developed a support plan, not punishment, for a student who never wanted to be perceived as a bully. The plan included working with a school social worker to address social interactions at school and to supplement the student’s work with an outside mental health expert. The student was willing to learn and change. Today, the school staff praises how the student has turned around the behavior. Our educational liaisons, most of them former educators, patiently and expertly meet students where they are and collaborate with families and schools to address their unique needs so they can help them succeed. To learn more about our services, click here: https://lnkd.in/gt86R4GA #education #students #mentalhealth #wellbeing #school #educational #childadvocacy #childadvocate #advocacy #nonprofit

“These parents want our help for their children, as our educational experts guide them in the process, because it makes their ‘lift’ a little lighter.” – Phyllis Armstrong/Child Advocates CEO Our CEO is discussing parents' response to our free services that help children who are struggling in school socially, emotionally, or academically. She joined some of our educational liaisons, recently, on Radio One’s Community Connection Show, which is broadcast on AM 1310 “The Light.” Our educational liaisons, most of them former educators, work with schools and parents to prepare plans to help students, in grades K-12, succeed. Go 54 minutes into the show to listen and discover how our educational liaisons may be able to help your child: https://bit.ly/4ezplKy #education #school #students #parents #educators #teachers #educationalhelp #academics #socialemotionallearning #nonprofit #childadvocacy