by Michael Webber II
Every April, the nation recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month. Also called Child Abuse Awareness Month, April is the time to support the need for families and communities to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect while raising awareness of the issue. To learn more about child abuse awareness, we sat down with our Senior Director of Advocacy, Stephanie Weiss.
"Since I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to work with kids and their families in some way. I wanted to do something to have a positive impact or influence on kids in some way."
Why did you join child welfare and choose to continue in this profession?
"Since I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to work with kids and their families in some way. I wanted to do something to have a positive impact or influence on kids in some way. It probably started with my cheer coach, then drill team coach, and teachers, all of whom had an influence on my life. Each of them impacted me in some way and I knew that healthy adult connections were critical in setting kids up for success.
"I knew I couldn’t be part of the solution unless I understood how the system worked; that’s where the impact would be possible."
I went to school and got a degree in psychology, thinking I could use that somehow, and I ended up working at SAFE, a center that supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I helped facilitate some children’s groups there and worked with kids who had experience with trauma, many of whom were involved with Child Protective Services (CPS). I gained some insight into the child welfare system but knew that I wanted to understand more. The only way I saw to do that was to work for CPS to better understand policies and how decisions were made. I knew I couldn’t be part of the solution unless I understood how the system worked; that’s where the impact would be possible."
What was the moment that made you know this is what you wanted to do with your life?
"I don’t think there was one moment, I think it was more like a collection of moments that led me here and then provided confirmation that this is what I was meant to do. CPS is a huge organization, and I had the opportunity to work in investigations, Family Based Safety Services, and Conservatorship. Each of these teams intersects with families at different stages. No one will ever know all there is to know about child welfare, but I’ve had the privilege to see things from various perspectives."
"I think every single person in the community should have some knowledge and play some role in preventing or addressing child abuse. Having some awareness that there is child abuse in the world, in your own neighborhood, and in your community, is a good place to start."
What is Child Abuse Awareness to you?
"I love that question! I think every single person in the community should have some knowledge and play some role in preventing or addressing child abuse. Having some awareness that there is child abuse in the world, in your own neighborhood, and in your community, is a good place to start. Some tend to see child abuse as something that happens far away; that is not the case. Now, everyone’s level of awareness is different. I’m very aware that my friends and people in my life who are not in the child welfare space don’t need to hear detailed stories or understand the details of what CASA does on a daily basis, but they need to know that child abuse happens, and that the child welfare system exists. It doesn’t discriminate by race, socioeconomic status, or geography.
Not everyone is meant to work in the child welfare system, but there are so many who intersect with the children in our community who can have a meaningful impact on kids. Teachers, school bus drivers, after-school caregivers, babysitters, and relatives who provide support to parents by taking in a kid who’s having a hard time—every single one of us can play a part. Everyone has a space in the world, and just being a support to someone around you could help prevent child abuse."
