Let's Talk Kids

In this episode of Let's Talk Kids, we sit down with Pamela Winkler-Tew, licensed social worker and Senior Sustainability Manager for HealthySteps, a program of Zero to Three. Pamela explains how HealthySteps places a child development specialist right in the pediatric practice to support babies and toddlers (ages 0-3) and their caregivers, from developmental concerns and parental mental health to food and housing needs. We dig into "serve and return" interactions, how New Jersey Family Care is helping fund the model, what the evidence shows (higher well-child visit attendance, better immunization rates, happier pediatricians), and the goal of reaching 65,000 New Jersey children over the next five years.

Learn more about HealthySteps below!

HealthySteps - https://www.healthysteps.org/

Zero to Three - https://www.zerotothree.org/

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Lindsay Schambach, Executive Director of ImagineNJ, a center for coping and loss, describes how being a principal and experiencing impactful losses throughout her life led to her discovering her purpose as an advocate of family bereavement. She digs deep into grief and death: why processing it is so important, how different people process differently, how our society overlooks the process, and how Imagine is making a positive impact in all of these aspects!

Learn more about ImagineNJ below!

Imagine Official Website - https://imaginenj.org/

Broreavement - https://broreavement.org/

OUTLINE

00:00 - Lindsay’s loss + joining ImagineNJ

03:49 - The fear of discussing death and loss

04:39 - What is Imagine’s main purpose and service?

09:02 - The History of Imagine & Family Bereavement Centers

13:13 - Data on why processing Grief is important

18:39 - How men grieve differently than women

24:12 - How different age groups grieve differently

29:52 - How are people discovering Imagine?

32:16 - How Imagine helps schools and students deal with grief

37:47 - Parents & why grief education should be ingrained in society

39:30 - Imagine’s Volunteers & How to Volunteer

44:50 - Why making light of loss is not always progressive

52:08 - A retrospective on funeral practices

54:57 - Why peer-to-peer grief support is so effective

57:22 - How Imagine is Funded & How it’s evolving

1:00:19 - Generational grief & Dated beliefs

1:03:54 - Episode Wrap Up

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Kaleena Berryman, Executive Director of Newark Youth Career Pathways, shares how her organization helps young adults and teens across Newark, NJ gain the confidence and skills necessary to have a thriving career. She also shares insights on how parents and students should tap into the power of their voices to make improvements in their school community and legislatively. “Newark is poppin’!”

Learn more about Newark Youth Career Pathways and Future Policymakers below!

Newark Youth Career Pathways - https://mynycp.org/

ACNJ 2026 Future Policymakers - https://acnj.org/newark-future-policymakers-advocacy-training-class-of-2026-fellows/

OUTLINE

00:00 - Kaleena’s history of child advocacy and social justice

04:12 - The Legacy of Abbott Leadership Institute

07:41 - What is Newark Youth Career Pathways (NYCP)?

12:16 - How NYCP instills must-have soft skills in Newark Youth

14:54 - Who are NYCP’s Employer Partners? Who are the students?

20:05 - Can Young Adults afford to start their career in Newark?

22:27 - How Kaleena is developing the next generation of policymakers

25:12 - Why aren’t children as engaged in academics?

30:44 - Kaleena’s definition of an “Advocate”

33:22 - How can parents work collaboratively with schools?

36:47 - Are schools empowering students enough to advocate for themselves?

40:03 - Should all youth go to college? How can they better understand their options?

45:44 - What should policymakers learn from youth?

52:45 - The Guaranteed Income Pilot and Cost of Living in Newark

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Dr. Julie Gallanty, CEO of the NJ YMCA State Alliance, discusses the history of the YMCA, all that YMCA's offer, and how they have become an incredible community.

Learn more about the NJ YMCA State Alliance below!
NJ YMCA State Alliance - https://www.njymca.org/

VIDEO OUTLINE

00:00 - Intro & What led Dr. Gallanty to the YMCA?
00:55 - What’s the YMCA’s mission and what’s the NJ YMCA State Alliance?
02:26 - YMCA Offerings & How the YMCA helps children
06:31 - How the YMCA remedies the current mental health crisis in Kids
08:17 - Model UN and how it gives children invaluable life skills
12:51 - What it’s like working at the YMCA & Qualities of Staff
14:19 - Urban YMCA’s vs Rural YMCA’s
15:49 - What Parents should know about the YMCA
18:21 - How is the YMCA funded?
19:51 - Helping Children navigate their “Big Feelings”
23:47 - YMCA Community Assistance for illnesses like Parkinson's and Cancer
27:19 - YMCA State Alliance Partnerships with Other Organizations
29:23 - Volunteering at the YMCA + Other YMCA Offerings such as Housing
31:55 - The History of the YMCA and YWCA
35:51 - What has the government’s impact been on low income YMCA community members?

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Andrea Breitwieser, Assistant Director of the NJ Division of Family Development, Office of Child Care, explains the purpose of New Jersey Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. 

Learn more about Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies below!

CCR&R Official Website - https://www.childcarenj.gov/CCRR

Grow NJ Kids Official Website - https://www.childcarenj.gov/GrowNJKids

VIDEO OUTLINE

00:00 - Intro & How did Andrea end up at the Department of Human Services?

03:15 - What are NJ Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R)?

07:15 - What are “Family, Friend or Neighbor” or “Family Child Care Provider” designations?

10:03 - What is Grow NJ Kids?

11:23 - What if I cannot afford these programs? What if I move counties?

15:31 - CCR&R Programs for older children

17:19 - What if I decide to become a Family Child Care Provider?

18:40 - CCR&R resources - From Professional Support to Parent Cafes

21:47 - CCR&R support for Family Child Care Providers?

26:11 - How many CCR&R Agencies are there in NJ?

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Ebony Grace, CEO of New Jersey’s Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Professional Network (NJSACC), explores what makes afterschool learning so special and impactful for the next generation of children. She explains how her organization operates in terms of education, safety, finances, and how it serves such a diverse population of kids across New Jersey.

Learn more about NJSACC below!

NJSACC Official Website - https://www.njsacc.org/

OUTLINE

00:00 - Who Ebony is and how she ended up at NJSACC

02:34 - What is NJSACC? Who do they serve and how does it work?

07:13 - The purpose of Afterschool Care and examples of NJSACC supported programs

13:19 - Who runs NJSACC Afterschool Programs? How are they funded?

15:38 - Where and when are these Afterschool programs held? Transporting kids?

19:03 - What is the background of NJSACC Staff? How do they find staff?

24:18 - How does NJSACC help programs help kids navigate modern problems?

27:52 - NJSACC Resource Management and Funding + Nationwide Afterschool Care

33:05 - What are the biggest struggles for NJSACC?

38:21 - Where do parents begin when looking for Afterschool Programs?

39:19 - Have Afterschool Programs become more safety conscious? + Costs of Childcare

44:55 - What more does Ebony hope to accomplish in the future at NJSACC?

49:49 - Volunteering at NJSACC

53:25 - Outro

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Dr. Christine Johnson, Superintendent of Hoboken Public Schools, takes a deep dive into how she helped to transform the local school system from underperforming academically into one where underprivileged and previously neglected students are reading and writing high above average and rivaling their more fortunate peers effortlessly. They are even performing better than many school systems nationwide, including those being observed by leading pedagogy researchers at Stanford University. Make sure to take notes because this episode is a special one!

Learn more about Hoboken Public Schools below!

Hoboken Public Schools District - https://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us/

Educational Opportunity Project - https://edopportunity.org/

OUTLINE

00:00 - Intro & What led Dr. Johnson to become Superintendent?

03:37 - A Demographic Breakdown and History of Hoboken Public Schools

07:00 - How Dr. Johnson improved overall academic and administrative performance over a decade

17:57 - What steps were taken to improve Reading & Writing performance?

22:28 - How were teachers able to address individual students’ needs?

28:01 - What were the barriers when it came to making these changes?

29:49 - Multisensory Reading Training - What it is and the benefits for students

38:32 - How did Dr. Johnson change the school climate?

44:48 - What is the Stanford University Educational Opportunity Project?

50:08 - How Hoboken Public Schools stayed open during COVID Shutdown

59:12 - How the schools are able to test students and learn from data effectively

01:05:03 - How reforming the Hoboken District Strategic Plan made a positive impact

01:11:59 - Main Takeaways for School Districts looking to grow like Hoboken + Outro

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - https://linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - https://acnj.org

ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/

ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/

ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

LTK Linktree - https://linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Buzzsprout - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2606664

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-kids/id1889946139

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/63d2bK6RmHAPQe8zBWZQ5U?si=2ddd49f0f2784abd

CONTACTS

[email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ

[email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Shavonda E. Sumter, former Assemblywoman and CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services, discusses her transition from government to CEO of a nonprofit organization and exposes what she feels nonprofits could improve upon when it comes to communicating with Legislators. She also explains how CAFSNJ collaborates with other organizations like NJ4S to combat the rising anxiety and depression in teens.

Learn more about Children’s Aid and Family Services below!

• Children’s Aid and Family Services - https://www.cafsnj.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Childrens.Aid.And.Family.Services
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChildrensAidFamServ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafsnj/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/children's-aid-and-family-services/

VIDEO OUTLINE

00:00 - Shavonda’s story - How did she end up at CAFSNJ?

05:40 - How does CAFSNJ serve various members of the diverse Paterson NJ community?

12:07 - How to get help from CAFSNJ? Contact and Website

12:47 - CAFSNJ partnerships with ACNJ & NJ4S + Non-profit purpose & promotion

25:06 - Children’s Mental Health - Why the Rise in Youth Anxiety?

31:14 - How can Non-Profits better communicate with Legislators?

47:15 - Why is Shavonda currently focused on high-need populations?

50:51 - Why do more Youths need therapy now and how does NJ4S help?

59:02 - Shavonda’s 10 Year Wishlist & Outro

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Dr. Maurice Elias, Rutgers Psychology Professor and Director of the Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab, explains how teachers and administrators can positively enhance their school environment and educational methods in order to engage students, improve their mental health, and set them up for success rather than contributors to the rising rate of absenteeism.

Learn more about Dr. Elias and his book below!

Reinvigorating Classroom Climate by Maurice Elias - https://shorturl.at/vJUgA

Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab - https://www.secdlab.org/

Social Emotional Learning Alliance for New Jersey - https://sel4nj.org/

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Nicole McGrath-Barnes DDS FACD, Founder and CEO of KinderSmile Foundation, discusses why dental care for babies and young children is more critical than most parents realize—and why the system is failing them. She shares the story behind building KinderSmile, how the foundation operates, and why its model deserves to be adopted more widely. The conversation digs into the overlooked connection between oral health and whole-body health, the financial and social repercussions of untreated dental disease in kids, and the crisis of chronic absenteeism linked to tooth pain. She also covers practical tips for parents, student loan forgiveness for dentists, and her 10-year wishlist for transforming children's dental care in America.

Learn more about KinderSmile Foundation below!

KinderSmile Foundation - https://www.kindersmile.org/

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• [email protected] - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• [email protected] - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ