Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Children's Trust Executive Director, Jennifer Valenzuela
On Wednesday, April 16, Children's Trust advocates, program partners, board members, and legislators gathered for our annual Step Up for Kids event at the Massachusetts State House to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and draw attention to a critical need: investing in the family support workforce.
At the heart of Step Up for Kids were 70 pairs of shoes on display to represent the average number of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect every day in Massachusetts.
“No child should ever experience abuse or neglect,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, who joined the event to present a Proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. “Behind every number is a story of a child that is experiencing harm, and it's on us to ensure that we’re speaking up against abuse of all kinds, but especially when it’s against our most vulnerable.”
We also took this opportunity to highlight and recognize the important work being done in the legislature. We were thrilled to present Valuing Our Children Awards to Senator Robyn Kennedy, Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, and Representative Susannah M. Whipps in recognition of their commitment to policies and programs that support families across Massachusetts.
Supporting the Workforce that Makes Prevention Possible
This year’s event honored frontline workers and evidence-based programs that help families thrive and highlighted the need for a $1.5 million increase to the state budget to support the retention of home visitors through Healthy Families Massachusetts (HFM), a home visiting program for young, first-time parents.
Due to the demanding nature of home visiting and low compensation, programs across the state are facing high turnover rates among staff—putting families at risk of losing critical support.
Angie Morrell, Regional Director of Prevention Services at MSPCC, a division of Eliot Community Human Services, which runs the Healthy Families program in Central Massachusetts, emphasized the deep relationships that home visitors build with families and the impact of the high turnover rates and retention challenges that programs are facing.
“Every time a home visitor leaves, it disrupts the progress of the families they serve. On average, nearly half of the families in the program leave when their home visitor quits—not because they don’t need support, but because that trusted relationship with their home visitor is what keeps them engaged. That vital relationship between a family and their Home Visitor is crucial – it is the foundation of the program.”
Serenity Smith, Healthy Families home visitor in Franklin County and former participant, with her family.
Serenity Smith, a Healthy Families home visitor at Franklin County Healthy Families, which is managed by Community Action Pioneer Valley, who is also a former program participant, shared her journey of receiving support as a young parent and returning to support other families.
“I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t had my home visitor when I needed her most,” said Smith. “I only wish my own mom had a program like this when I was growing up—things could have been different for us. But today, I get to be that support for my children and for other families, breaking cycles and building futures.”
Taking the Message Statewide
Child Care of the Berkshires and the Children's Trust hosted Step Up for Kids Pittsfield on Friday, April 11 at Pittsfield City Hall.
Like Boston, Pittsfield’s display called attention to the real children behind the statistics and urged community members to take action. Senator Paul Mark, Representative John Barrett, Representative Leigh Davis, Mayor Peter Marchetti, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, and other local leaders gathered to speak on the need for prevention, early support, and continued collaboration.
Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Chair of the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity received the Valuing Our Children Award for her dedication to Massachusetts children and families.
Prevention Is Possible—But It Takes All of Us
“The most effective way to prevent child abuse and neglect is to support families before they’re in crisis,” said Jennifer Valenzuela, Children’s Trust Executive Director. “We know prevention works. But to make it possible, we must strengthen the systems that support families, invest in the professionals who walk alongside them, and ensure families have the stability and resources we all need to thrive.”
Mayor Peter Marchetti addressing the crowd in Pittsfield.
The shoes displayed during both Step Up for Kids events were generously donated by Reebok and will be distributed to families participating in our funded programs across the state.
The Children’s Trust partners with state agencies and community-based organizations across Massachusetts to enhance the support network available to families, ensuring they have access to the resources and services needed to thrive.
Step Up for Kids Media Coverage
