Crowd-sourcing connection: How communities keep families together | Charity Carmody | TEDxAnchorage

Core Narrative & Themes - The report centers on the importance of community support in preventing child neglect and keeping families together [17][32] - It challenges assumptions about parents involved in the foster care system, highlighting that neglect often stems from poverty and lack of support rather than intentional harm [15][17][30] - The speaker advocates for ordinary people to show up for each other, emphasizing that meaningful connection and support can prevent family separation [20][33] Practical Solutions & Recommendations - The report suggests being a reliable friend or safe family for someone in need, offering support during crises [21][22] - It promotes volunteering through organizations like Safe Families for Children, which provides temporary community care for families facing challenges [23] - The report highlights the Care Portal, a platform connecting caseworkers with individuals willing to meet specific needs of families, such as providing beds or strollers [24][25] - It emphasizes the importance of creating family resource centers in communities to provide support, resources, and a sense of belonging for parents [26][27] Statistical & Economic Considerations - The U S Department of Health and Human Services indicates that over 60% of child maltreatment cases result from neglect, not intentional harm [18] - Casey Family Programs' research suggests that investing in family resource centers can lead to significant reductions in child maltreatment and family separation [28] - For every dollar invested in family resource centers, there is a potential saving of three to five times that amount in downstream child protection costs [28]