San Diego Hunger Coalition’s Post

It is Working with Children Check Week. We know that there is more to keeping children safe than just seeing if our workers and volunteers have a WWCC. Children are safer when organisations are transparent about their practices with parents, carers and families and consult them on children’s development. This is a great video about “What parents can look for when choosing a service or organisation for their child.” https://lnkd.in/gH3HVfYu You can find out what EarlyEd does to keep children safe by looking at our: · Website https://lnkd.in/gpBY_6r3 · Family Information Pack (you receive when you start services) · Service Agreements. Being a Registered NDIS Provider helps you to know that we are being checked to see that · we are using child safe practices and · all our volunteers and staff have current checks. Our team members take part in regular training and we have Child Protection Officers that keep up to date with anything new that is recommended to keep children safe. Please ask if you want to know more about our child safety approaches. Together we can keep children and young people safe. #WWCW2024 #EarlyEd #EarlyChildhoodIntervention #Children #Protection #Safe

This is one of the most significant changes that will help individuals receiving SSI. A very important read. ❗ Big news for individuals with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ❗ The Social Security Administration just posted the Final Rule regarding the omission of food from the In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculation, effective 9/30/24. What does this mean? Parents, family members, and Trusts (including Special Needs Trusts) can now purchase food for SSI recipients without receiving the 1/3 reduction in SSI. The new Final Rule includes only shelter expenses in the ISM calculation. Read the full rule here: https://lnkd.in/e_Z-wFDM. #BegleyLawGroup #SpecialNeedsPlanning #SpecialNeedsAlliance#SocialSecurity #SupplementalSecurityIncome #SSI

In April 2023, the Special Needs Alliance and the Alliance of Pooled Trusts jointly submitted comments to the Social Security Administration on SSA’s proposal for “Omitting Food From In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations, Docket No. SSA-2021-0014.    SNA members often advise individuals and trustees who either have a desire to assist a loved one or have a fiduciary duty to do so. In that capacity, ISM reductions often require making a difficult choice between meeting an individual’s basic needs and causing a reduction in the individual’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to an ISM expenditure. SNA strongly agreed with SSA’s rationale for the proposed rule change that “would make it easier for SSI applicants and recipients to comply with our program requirements, which would save time for both them and us, and improve the equitable treatment of food assistance within the SSI program.” SNA is a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities, and we supported their letter on the ISM rule, as well. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dTkYT99Q

This week is National Child Protection Week, and the message that "every child in every community needs a fair go" is being complemented with a theme of 'Where We Start Matters'. A Community Jigsaw has also been used to graphically represent the elements that children identify as being central to a positive community.  When all the pieces are in place, a community is strong and supportive of children. Government systems are an element of support for children that is especially important in the areas of education, health and safety. I have just released an inaugural report called Keeping Our Promises. This annual report monitors, maps, and grades the promises made by the South Australian government to children and young people across the State, to ensure the resources of government are being channelled into making their lives better and ensuring they are healthy, safe and thriving. In the language of children and young people, the commitments that governments make to them through laws, policies, strategies and plans are "promises". They therefore expect these promises to be kept.     Ensuring all children have a fair go and levelling out the impacts of adversity is a key role for governments. It is critical that these promises are not just statements of intent but that they do actually get actioned to make a real difference. Monitoring of and reporting on activities of government is important for accountability. By tracking the achievements and failures across government in relation to children and young people’s rights, lives and futures, we can measure the progress being made.     My Keeping Our Promises report covers promises made about bullying, STIs, mental health, school attendance, exclusions, sextortion, food security, homelessness, play and digital access to name a few. They are promises that are not currently being publicly reported upon by other SA children's advocacy bodies, and they represent the areas of life that children have told me matter most to them. The report also makes recommendations for improvements that can be actioned across a range of government departments. Independent monitoring and reporting on the actions of government in relation to the promises made is a crucial element of system accountability and rights protection. Policy makers, researchers and advocates should check the full report out here: https://lnkd.in/g9agzxZH #NCPW23 #WhereWeStartMatters  

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program is an economic lifeline for individuals with SMA and other disabilities in helping to meet basic living needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. However, the program penalizes individuals with disabilities if they save one penny more than the program's outdated asset limits of $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples. This discriminatory policy puts individuals with SMA and other disabilities at financial risk in emergencies. TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to increase the SSI asset limits before the end of the year. https://lnkd.in/gdjrhy5c

It still concerns me that in the early years our pursuit of recognising risks for children is typically focussed on some lesser risk factors noted in child protection data and statistics. Once again, the annual release of Child In Need census data shows that more obscure factors often thought to be those we should focus on such as FGM or Prevent are relevant but not as prominent as others. Whilst taking time to learn about and get teams to practice answers to questions about such themes we jeopardise the potential to see what is actually happening in the lives of children with whom we work. Domestic abuse remains one of the significant and prevailing factors that contributes to Child In Need assessments. Mental health concerns about parents increase and dominate. Meaning that protective factors for children decrease. Neglect continues to persist. Extra familial threats such as child criminal exploitation soar high on the list. I know its hard sometimes to grasp the realities of risks and harms for young children but a look at the headlines in the report might help us understand why working in this context is so challenging. I encourage everyone working in the early years sector when seeking knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection to contextualise the data rather than be dazzled by the EY media hype. Most importantly I ask that we first and foremost understand the needs of those children right in front of us and ask what we can do to help and protect them. https://lnkd.in/eWZV9kDz

Applying for Social Security disability benefits should not be a nightmare, yet for many Americans, it is. 🇺🇸 Our blog post highlights the formidable obstacles faced during the SSD application process. The system's imperfections are evident, ranging from extremely high denial rates to lengthy waiting periods. Delve into the blog today to understand the profound impact on numerous lives and find out what actions to consider if your claim has been turned down. https://bit.ly/3KNaobu

We believe that we, as a nation, owe young adults meaningful opportunities, including access to #economicsupports including unconditional and predictable #income. What does that mean? Learn more about CSSP's CARES initiative and the policy recommendations that CSSP CARES Ambassadors have made here: https://loom.ly/9pwm4dA #FosterCareMonth #economicjustice #familyautonomy

Applying for Social Security disability benefits shouldn't be a nightmare, but for millions of Americans, it is. 🇺🇸 Our latest blog post sheds light on the daunting challenges of the SSD application process. The system's flaws are undeniable, from shockingly high rejection rates to frustrating waiting periods. Read the blog now to learn how countless lives have been affected and discover the steps you can take if your claim has been denied. https://bit.ly/3KNaobu

Ensuring a Safer Future for Our Children: Advocating for Child Protection. In a world where our children are our most precious assets, the need for robust child protection measures is paramount. As we strive for a safer future, I am deeply committed to championing the cause of child protection. √ Understanding the Scope: Child protection extends beyond physical safety; it encompasses the holistic well-being of our future generations. From safeguarding against abuse to providing a nurturing environment, we must work collectively to address the multifaceted challenges our children face. √Raising Awareness: Education is the first line of defense. By raising awareness about child protection issues, we empower communities to recognize signs of vulnerability and take proactive measures. Let's amplify our voices to ensure that every child grows up in a secure and supportive environment. √ Collaboration is Key: No single entity can tackle child protection alone. Collaboration among governments, NGOs, educators, parents, and communities is vital. Let's build partnerships that leverage diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise to create comprehensive and effective solutions. √ Empowering Parents and Caregivers: Equipping parents and caregivers with knowledge and resources is crucial. Support systems and educational programs can play a pivotal role in nurturing healthy relationships and creating environments where children can thrive. √Global Initiatives: Child protection knows no borders. It's a global responsibility. By engaging with international organizations and supporting initiatives, we contribute to a collective effort in creating a safer world for every child, regardless of their geographical location. √Measuring Impact: It's not just about intentions; it's about measurable impact. Let's advocate for policies that prioritize child protection, and let's monitor and evaluate our efforts to ensure continuous improvement. √Celebrating Progress: Acknowledging successes, no matter how small, is essential. Every step towards child protection is a step towards a brighter future. Let's celebrate achievements, share success stories, and inspire others to join the cause. Together, we can create a world where every child feels safe, supported, and free to dream. Join me in this mission, share your insights, and let's collectively pave the way for a safer and more secure future for our children. #ChildProtection #SafetyMatters #ProtectOurFuture