BONUS: Farewell, Darrell

Meet Deputy Director of Field Operations Pam Alston

Children's Division has a new Deputy Director of Field Operations, Pam Alston. We are so excited to have this new position and Pam to fill it. Pam is enthusiastic about how this new role can support the regions and help improve outcomes for the families and children served by the Children's Division. Pam has been featured as a guest on past podcasts. In case you missed it, you can hear her introduction as a Regional Director with Lisa Crawford [https://wearechildrensdivision.transistor.fm/episodes/meet-regional-directors-lisa-crawford-se-and-pam-alston-sw] and her story as an adoptive parent on The Call to Foster Podcast.  [https://thecalltofoster.transistor.fm/episodes/there-are-no-kids-too-far-gone]

BONUS EPISODE: Meet Interim Children's Division Director Kayla Ueligger

Get to know the Interim Children's Division Director, Kayla Ueligger! Kayla shares her journey to and through Children's Division, her heart for serving others, and her deep and meaningful "why" for doing this work! She has a personal connection to Children's Division and experience on the frontlines of child welfare that informs her day-to-day work. You don't want to miss this episode!

BONUS: Farewell, Darrell

All things must come to an end...and with that, what better way to send our host, Darrell, off to his next great adventure but a podcast? In this episode, Darrell shares his hopes for the future of Children's Division and reminds us of the 10 Directives. In true Darrell fashion, prepare yourself for heartfelt words, stories, and an emotional goodbye.

Conversations around Safe Sleep

This month we met with Alison Jacobson, the current CEO of First Candle. As a SIDS mom, Alison knows the pain of losing an infant to a sleep-related death firsthand. Also joining us for this conversation was Haylee Musso and Misty Allen from our DSS team. While we cover trend data, experience and other great information, the whole podcast boils down to these two things:  1. No two families are the same, so there will never be a "one-size-fits-all" solution to safety 2. Having the courage to engage in a real conversation about safe sleep could save a life!  Learn more about First Candle: https://firstcandle.org/  [https://firstcandle.org/]

Safe Haven Baby Boxes

Listen in on a conversation with the Founder and current CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Monica Kelsey. Safe Haven Baby Boxes' (SHBB) mission is to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborns through education, raising awareness of the safe haven law, and offering the only anonymous option, the Baby Box. Monica talks about how the organization got started, where the idea came from, and the impact of the boxes across the United States. Currently, Missouri has one box in Mehlville, MO, and several other Missouri communities trying to raise the appropriate funding to acquire a box.  Learn how you, a child welfare worker, can work with SHBB to continue keeping kids safe!