A Flourishing Start: The ABCs of Child & Family Well-being

Hear from two dedicated dads who share their unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs in embracing fatherhood.  In this episode, we explore what the experience of being a new parent is like, the role that fathers can play in their baby’s healthy development and social-emotional well-being, and where they can go to find community and support.

Meet Perry, a new dad to his nine-month-old son and family engagement liaison for the Oakland Unified School District, striving to boost enrollment in deep East Oakland. 

Jorge is the dad of two daughters and leads the Project Fatherhood program at Pacific Clinics in Pasadena, California, where he facilitates weekly discussions on child development and fatherhood engagement. With four years under his belt in this role, and many more in this field, Jorge brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to fathers aiming to deepen their involvement in their children’s lives.

Highlights:

8:30- Discover the ways fathers can foster their children's healthy development

13:30- Learn about “the power of play” with young children 

19:00- A call for the medical system to better support father involvement

28:51- Navigating mental health as a new dad

37:27- Perry’s advice for fellow first-time fathers

39:00- Resources for dads

Interested in sharing your fatherhood story or suggesting a topic? Reach out to us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.

This episode is brought to you by the National Center for Youth Law, with support from the Resilience Effect initiative by Genentech, a Roche Group member, dedicated to fostering a supportive community for fathers everywhere.

Discover the transformative impact of reading and storytelling on the emotional well-being of children and their caregivers in this captivating episode.

Meet Callee Boulware, the Regional Director for Reach Out and Read (ROR) since 2001. Reach Out and Read’s mission is to make reading a daily joy for families. With a network of over 425 programs, Callee and her team have touched the lives of 290,000 children, empowering families with the resources to foster positive emotional development through reading and storytelling.

Join us as we hear from Alejandro, a resilient father inspired by his own life challenges to leave a lasting legacy for his son by authoring "Noah’s Space Ark," a bilingual (Spanish and English) children’s book. 

Don't miss the highlight of the episode, an animated "Read Out Loud" session with Alejandro, bringing the magical world of "Noah’s Space Ark" to life.

Highlights:

5:43- It's never too soon to start reading to your child

12:48-What is the Reach Out and Read model?

20:38- Learn tips to make reading an enjoyable habit for your kids

25:49- Explore reading as a powerful tool for strengthening child-caregiver bonds

40:23- Experience the joy of storytelling with Alejandro's "Read Out Loud" session.

Resources:

Have you heard of First 5 California’s Kit for New Parents? It’s filled with useful resources and information for you and your baby – and it’s free! Find out what’s in it and how to order it ⁠here⁠ for FREE. 

More info on the benefits of reading with young children

Follow the Author's Instagram: @noahs.space.ark

Get the book

Want to suggest a topic or be a guest? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. 

A Flourishing Start Podcast is hosted by the National Center for Youth Law and supported through a grant from the Resilience Effect, a philanthropic initiative of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Get ready for a whole host of  insights and inspiration in this finale episode of "A Flourishing Start: ABC's of Child & Family Well-being," Season 1! We're diving headfirst into the world of the “preschool-to-prison pipeline,” unpacking the complexities and shining a light on the resources and systems that can help our little ones break free from this cycle.

Buckle up as we hear from the dynamic Tori Porell, the brain behind the Strong Beginnings program at East Bay Children’s Law Offices (EBCLO). As the current Education Attorney at EBCLO, Tori is on a mission to bridge the educational gap for youth experiencing foster care, and she's here to share her wisdom and warrior spirit with us!

Also joining us is Sara Guillermo, the CEO of IGNITE. From being a pioneering employee to leading the charge as CEO, Sara's journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She's a powerhouse of resilience, juggling roles as an immigrant, first-gen college grad, youth organizer, educator, foster parent, and a breast cancer survivor. 

Highlights:

7:50 - Sara’s Epic Foster Parent Journey

17:40 - Unraveling the Preschool to Prison Pipeline

20:27 - Navigating Child Entitlements & Support Systems

35:30 - Sara's Time Machine

40:28 - Power-Up for Parental Advocacy

42:57 - The Role of an Education Attorney

NOTE: In this episode, one of our speakers is an attorney, and may reference laws and legal information related to early childhood education and mental health. Please know that this is shared only as general information, and is not legal advice.

Source: In this episode, we shared that preschool children are expelled at three times the rate of children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The source for this information comes from Gilliam WS, Shahar G. Preschool and child care expulsion and suspension: rates and predictors in one state. Infant Young Child. 2006;19(3):228–245.

Resources:

California Foster Youth Education Law Fact Sheets:

English - http://www.cfyetf.org/publications_34_2864360923.pdf (see fact sheet #3 for early child education, specifically)

Spanish - http://www.cfyetf.org/publications_36_3026627512.pdf (see fact sheet #3 for early child education, specifically)

0-5 Advocacy Resources

Local Parent Training and Information Center Database

And remember, this isn't "goodbye," it's "see you soon," as we gear up for Season 2 coming your way in February. Stay tuned, subscribe, and follow us to catch every exciting moment!

Love our podcast? We want to hear from YOU! Join our feedback squad for Season 1 by emailing [email protected] or send a text to your favorite podcast host at (661) 388-6727. Let's make Season 2 even more epic together!

A Flourishing Start Podcast is hosted by the National Center for Youth Law and supported through a grant from the Resilience Effect, a philanthropic initiative of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

In this episode of "A Flourishing Start: ABC's of Child & Family Well-being," we talk about generational trauma, its manifestations in young children aged 0-5, and the intertwined well-being of their mothers and caregivers. 

Hear from Danielle, who has 12 yrs experience working in community mental health and 8 yrs specializing in 0 to 5 year old children. Danielle is the Birth to 5 Coordinator at Pacific Clinics. Danielle is also a mom of two.

Jahayra also joins the conversation as an early childhood educator and mom of one, soon-to-be two. She also is the co-host of the Spanglish true crime podcast "Cuento Crimen." 

Highlights:

Resources:

Research study about chronic stress during pregnancy and cortisol levels in babies 

Article: How we can break the cycle of intergenerational trauma 

Subscribe and follow us to stay updated on future episodes. Your engagement and feedback are crucial in spreading awareness and fostering a community dedicated to improving the lives of children and families affected by generational trauma. Share this video with anyone who might benefit from these discussions!

Want to suggest a topic or be a guest? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. A Flourishing Start Podcast is hosted by the National Center for Youth Law and supported through a grant from the Resilience Effect, a philanthropic initiative of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Dive into a riveting exploration of children's mental health in our latest podcast episode, "Empowering Early Childhood Well-Being: The Community's Role".

Get ready for a compassionate and honest conversation as host, Esmeralda Cortez Rosales, engages with the inspiring Mya Whitaker, a dedicated mom and auntie, and Rhea Boyd, MD, a Pediatrician and Senior Advisor at the California Children’s Trust.

In this episode, we delve into crucial topics for every parent, auntie, and caregiver:

Don't miss out on this episode, brimming with actionable insights, expert knowledge, and authentic stories, crucial for anyone dedicated to nurturing the flourishing minds of the children in our community. Tune in and be part of this transformative journey!

Want to suggest a topic or be a guest? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. A Flourishing Start Podcast is hosted by the National Center for Youth Law and supported through a grant from the Resilience Effect, a philanthropic initiative of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Join us in our latest podcast episode, "The Balancing Act: Family Well-Being, Policies, and More," where we embark on a profoundly engaging journey into child development and mental health. 

We brought three guests together to talk about all it takes for caregivers and parents to juggle caring for their little ones and what policies could be put in place to support them. 

Join Eva Rivera and Angela, both Policy Directors at The Children's Partnership and Edith, who shares what it was like navigating her daughter's anxiety and ensuring she got the support she needed.

In this episode, we cover critical topics:

[10:54] Kids are Absorbing Everything

[15:37] Self-Care for Parents: Why Your Well-being Matters to Your Little Ones

[19:47] Understanding Policy and How It Impacts Child & Family Well-Being and how to improve them

[30:23] Combating Burnout: Strategies for Caregivers

Expect a heartfelt, informative, and transformative conversation that goes beyond the surface, tackling the everyday challenges and joys of raising children. We delve into the importance of creating a nurturing environment, how parents can manage their stress to support their children better, and the role of societal policies in shaping childhood experiences.

Take advantage of this opportunity to gain valuable insights and be part of a discussion that could change how you think about parenting and child care. 

Want to suggest a topic or be a guest? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. A Flourishing Start Podcast is hosted by the National Center for Youth Law and supported through a grant from the Resilience Effect, a philanthropic initiative of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Join our host, Esmeralda Cortez Rosales, in an enlightening conversation with two inspiring mothers and professionals.

Meet Cindy, an administrative assistant at La Clinica de la Raza and mother to three-year-old Jorge, alongside Kathryn Hallinan Aguilar, a new mom and seasoned marriage and family therapist. With over eight years in early childhood mental health and her current roles at UCSF's Center for Advancing Dyadic Care in Pediatrics, Kathryn brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion.

In this episode, we delve into crucial topics for every parent and caregiver:

[01:30] Mastering Emotional Expression: Teach your child to express their emotions safely.

[09:07] Understanding Early Mental Health: Explore the fundamentals of infant and early childhood mental health.

[15:15] Cindy’s Experience Breaking Generational Patterns: Explore the one thing a child needs. 

[22:01] The Role of Dyadic Care: Unpack the concept of dyadic care and its importance.

[29:00] Calming Techniques: Learn effective strategies to help your child find calmness and reset their nervous system.

Want to suggest a topic or be a guest? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. A Flourishing Start Podcast is hosted by the National Center for Youth Law and supported through a grant from the Resilience Effect, a philanthropic initiative of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

It seems like everyone is talking about mental health and well-being, but a unique group has been pushed aside for far too long: zero to five-year-olds and their families. Join A Flourishing Start Podcast, a guilt and shame-free online community, to be in conversation with other parents and to learn scientific and cultural-based information about early childhood mental health from professional experts. This is a community where you will finally feel like you belong; we laugh, we cry, and together, we learn how to build a flourishing start for our youngest humans.

About 90% of our brain growth occurs in the first five years, making zero to five-year-old children critical to include in conversations around mental health and well-being. The series will touch on subjects that include trauma, developmental challenges, emotional distress and other sensitive areas. A Flourishing Start Podcast honors the sacred connection between young children and their families. Let's take young children and their families to the forefront of the conversation and learn about the ABCs of child and family well-being.

Tune in for our very first episode next Tuesday!

Want to suggest a topic or be a guest? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected]. A Flourishing Start Podcast is hosted by the National Center for Youth Law and supported through a grant from the Resilience Effect, a philanthropic initiative of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.