In this episode, three members of the Maine team who participated in the Prevention Mindset Institute take us behind the scenes of the bold new vision to create a culture of shared responsibility for the safety and well-being for children and families in Maine.

Listeners will hear how this mindset shift is gaining momentum— from the Governor’s office to local Prevention Councils to individual parents and practitioners—creating a wave of change across the state. At the heart of this effort is building trusting partnerships with parents through authentic engagement and shared language. Tune in to discover how collaboration, relationships, and truly listening are driving this transformative work.

FRIENDS PAC members Valerie Lebanion and Michael Cupeles wrap up the episode by sharing their key takeaways from this inspiring and insightful discussion. If you're passionate about strengthening families and creating lasting change, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Hosts:

Paula Bibbs-Samuels, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

David Armstrong, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

Participants:

Heidi Aakjer, Executive Director of the Maine Children's Trust

Christine Theriault, Family First Prevention Services Program Manager, Maine Office of Child and Family Services

Joe Whitmore, Parent Leader, Penquis Prevention Council, and FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

In this episode, Dr. Paul Lanier has a conversation with Dr. Lindsay Huffhines about unique stressors for families during these difficult times and practical tips parents can use to support infants and toddlers in handling stress and emotions. Parents and caregivers will find this podcast helpful.

Dr. Paul Lanier is the Wallace Kuralt Distinguished Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Lindsay Huffhines is a postdoctoral fellow at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University

(Originally shared May, 2020)

Experts:

Dr. Paul Lanier

Associate Professor/School of Social Work

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Dr. Lindsay Huffhines

Postdoctoral Fellow, Clinical Psychology

Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University

Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/

https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

https://newmomhealth.com/

In this episode, Dr. Paul Lanier has a conversation with Julie Smith and Brooklyn Crawford, Clinical Home Visitors, based in eastern North Carolina about challenges families are facing with parenting young children during difficult times. This conversation is followed by one with Maxine Eichner, the Graham Distinguished Professor of Law at University of North Carolina School of Law, about federal policy changes needed to create stronger supportive systems for children and families.

Administrators, other leaders, and advocates for families and children will find this podcast most helpful.

Dr. Paul Lanier is the Wallace Kuralt Distinguished Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

(Originally shared May 2020)

Experts:

Dr. Paul Lanier

Associate Professor, School of Social Work

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Brooklyn Crawford

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Easter Seals Newbern

Child First Clinician

Julie Smith

Licensed Clinician

Child First

Maxine Eichner

Professor of Law,

University of North Carolina School of Law

Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/

https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

The Free-Market Family: How the Market Crushed the American Dream (and How It Can Be Restored) by Maxine Eichner available at Amazon or your bookstore.

In this episode, Dr. Todd Jensen interviews Dr. Deborah Barrett, a licensed clinical social worker who has extensive experience conducting individual and group therapy. She shares her thoughts about family loss and grieving, particularly during the coronavirus outbreak.

Dr. Jensen is a Family Research and Engagement Specialist in the Jordan Institute for Families and a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Barrett is a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Originally shared April, 2020

Experts:

Todd M. Jensen, PhD, MSW

Research Assistant Professor, School of Social Work

Family Research and Engagement Specialist, Jordan Institute for Families

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Deborah Barrett, Ph.D.

Clinical Associate Professor, School of Social Work

Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/

https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

In this episode, Dr. Todd Jensen will help listeners understand and characterize family stressors, including the current coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Jensen offers tips for listeners to help them better manage family stress.

Dr. Jensen is a Family Research and Engagement Specialist in the Jordan Institute for Families and a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Originally shared April 2020

Experts:

Todd M. Jensen, Ph.D., MSW

Research Assistant Professor | School of Social Work

Family Research and Engagement Specialist | Jordan Institute for Families

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/

https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

Dr. Pauline Boss, a leading family stress educator and researcher, shares a list of recently curated resources for COVID-19 and other topics explored in this episode: https://news.cehd.umn.edu/covid-19-family-social-science-offers-coping-resources/

This podcast, hosted by Dr. Sarah Verbiest, introduces four young people who contribute to the discussion on strategies for youth and their parents on navigating the conflicts and opportunities of sharing a home.

Dr. Verbiest is the Director of the Jordan Institute for Families and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. She has over 20 years’ experience working in maternal and child health and is the mom of two young adults who both live at home.

(Originally shared April, 2020)

Expert:

Sarah Verbiest, DrPH, MSW, MPH

Director, The Jordan Institute for Families

School of Social Work, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Guest Speakers:

Emiko LeNeave

Graduating Senior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public Relations – Global Studies

Lizzie Irvin

Graduating Senior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Advertising and Public Relations

Kylie Verbiest

Web Developer/Innovator

Ty Verbiest

CNA/College Student

Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/

https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

In this episode, Dr. Isaiah Pickens explores strategies parents can use for supporting, empowering, and honoring older teenagers in their home that are experiencing loss. Adolescents are at a unique developmental stage that can be especially challenging when their opportunities are limited, and special dreams lost due to COVID-19.

Dr. Pickens, a clinical psychologist and founder of iOpening Enterprises, a professional development and media company that helps people and organizations use psychological science to unlock their potential. He is also an Assistant Director at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.

(Originally shared: April 2020)

Expert:

Isaiah B. Pickens, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Service Systems

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital

Founder, iOpening Enterprises, a mental health and wellness education company
http://www.iopeningenterprises.com/

Assistant Director of Service Systems at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress at UCLA
https://www.isaiahpickens.com/about/

Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/

https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/

In this episode, Dr. Isaiah Pickens discusses the importance of self-compassion and showing ourselves kindness during these trying times and how sharing compassion with others can help mitigate the stress in our own lives.

Dr. Pickens is a clinical psychologist and founder of iOpening Enterprises, a professional development and media company that helps people and organizations use psychological science to unlock their potential. He is also an Assistant Director at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.

(Originally shared April, 2020)

Expert:

Isaiah B. Pickens, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Service Systems

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital

Founder, iOpening Enterprises, a mental health and wellness education company
http://www.iopeningenterprises.com/

Assistant Director of Service Systems at the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress at UCLA
https://www.isaiahpickens.com/about/

Resources: https://jordaninstituteforfamilies.org/ and https://friendsnrc.org/media-library/

https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/protective-factors/