Originally published on Comcast Newsmakers.
As Deputy Director of Programs for the Children’s Trust, Sarita Rogers knows the power of effective prevention strategies. In a recent interview with Nathan O’Leary of Comcast Newsmakers, Rogers sat down to discuss the many ways in which the Children’s Trust is working within communities across Massachusetts to prevent child abuse.
The Children’s Trust distinguishes itself through its integrated approach to prevention, according to Rogers. For many families, prevention begins with providing parents with the support they need, whether that be through home-visiting programs or family centers.
“As a funder, the Children’s Trust supports programs in local communities which manage and implement these sort of prevention programs,” Roger noted. From the Fatherhood Initiative to Healthy Families, Children's Trust programs work to support and stabilize the whole family by providing parents with concrete support networks and a deeper understanding of parenting, among other protective factors.
Parents, particularly nowadays, are increasingly under toxic levels of stress, Rogers shared. “Nobody sets out to abuse or neglect their child, but unfortunately that sometimes happens when there are too many stressors and not enough resources.” When we support these parents, we actively engage in prevention.