10 Bad Things Solved by 5 Good Things.

Finally, we can all agree that the following are bad:

1. Child abuse and neglect
2. The opioid crisis and other substance misuse
3. Children dropping out of school
4. Adults losing their jobs and income
5. Parents hurting one another while their kids watch
6. People with untreated mental health challenges raising kids
7. Adults misusing alcohol when they should be parenting
8. Cities without services to keep children safe from harm
9. Schools without resources to help students with challenges
10. Elected officials insisting that “Ensuring the safety of children is someone else’s job”

So can we also agree to fix all these problems—and now? 

Contrary to popular belief, the solutions are staring us right in the face. We have volumes of research and good old-fashioned practical experience that tell us that if we just make a few strategic interventions, refocus a few state, county and city budgets, and start using software that has already existed for years, we can make that list of ten unloved behaviors history.

So—what’s the problem? Why have we not been able to keep our children safe?

Leadership. Plain and simple. We need leaders who believe in finding new, real solutions to costly problems.

What can one person do?

Your role in all this is key.

We need you to reach out to your local leaders in state, county, city and school systems to increase awareness of how our list of “ten bad things” can be solved with these “five good things”:

1. safe childhoods
2. successful students
3. productive employees
4. healthy families
5. resilient communities

And take special note that all the five good things start with safe childhoods. 

We have the blueprint for moving forward, guided by a data-driven and cross-sector strategy. All we need are compassionate leaders.

Dominic Cappello is the co-author of Anna, Age Eight: The data-driven prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment.  He is the developer of the Data Leaders for Child Welfare program in New York City, New Mexico, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. He is currently leading the implementation of Resilience Leaders ACEs prevention projects in Las Cruces, NM and Owensboro, KY.  You may download a copy of Anna, Age Eight free-of charge here: www.AnnaAgeEight.org