Policy Makers Breakfast: Honoring Dr. Melton
The annual Uniting Communities Kempe Foundation breakfast on September 14 offered the opportunity to hear from Colorado General Assembly members, along with renowned advocates for the safety and wellbeing of children. This event and programs throughout the week honored Dr. Gary Melton who was a faculty member in the Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, professor of pediatrics in the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and professor of community and behavioral health in the Colorado School of Public Health. His passionate embrace of community – respect for human dignity for everyone and promotion of norms of inclusion and humane care in the settings of everyday life – was the foundation of his work for nearly 50 years.
Speakers and Themes
Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (HD4) and Representative Rod Pelton (HD65) participated in an interactive discussion on their reasons for supporting legislation that impact child abuse prevention, why decisions were made to allocate dollars towards behavioral health and how the community can contribute to make transformational change. Dr. Jill Korbin and Dr. Dick Krugman discussed how Community and neighborhood conditions impact rates of child abuse and neglect, along with learning about research on the success of home visitations for infants and young children. Dr. Krugman encouraged healthcare entities and the child protection system to measure their outcomes and share it publicly so everyone can learn and grow.
What topics were discussed?
- What are the evidence-based responses to prevent child abuse and neglect in rural communities in Colorado?
- What are the differences among communities across Colorado and how can legislation secure outcomes for all youth regardless of geographies?
- Thinking outside the confines of the current system, what is next to address childhood trauma and to end child abuse and neglect?
What can we take away from the event?
All four speakers emphasized the need for resources in order for each unique community can best benefit. We thank these four champions for children for spending the time with Kempe, along with the 50 guests in the audience. When we are united difficult topics can be confronted and solutions can become reality.
Watch video from the Kempe Policy Makers Breakfast
Shortened Video Clips
- Antonia Chiesa, MD provides an update on the CARE Network
- Warren Binford, JD brings up an important topic of online effects on our youth
- Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez shares her family’s story on behavioral health needs in schools
Watch the full Kempe Policy Makers Breakfast
