Focus on Child Well-Being in New Mexico

Childhood Adversity: The Impact of Maltreatment -

Definitions, Prevention and Intervention Strategies

Tuesday February 7, 2017, 6-8 pm

Domenici Center Auditorium

University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

Free and open to the public

Introduction by Paul Roth, MD, Chancellor of UNM Health Sciences Center

50-year Legacy in the Field of Child Abuse and Neglect

Richard Krugman, MD, Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado Medical School

Social Work Interventions for Children, Youth and Families

Ferol Mennen, PhD, LCSW, Associate Professor, Department of Children, Youth and Families, University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Childhood Adversity in New Mexico

Andrew Hsi, MD, Professor, University of New Mexico School of Medicine,

Center Director of the Institute of Resilience, Health and Justice

The Voices of Children in New Mexico

James C. Jimenez, Executive Director of NM Voices for Children; KidsCount in New Mexico

Childhood adversity impacts the human lifespan. This Symposium will focus on the development of collaborations in research, service, prevention and healing.

Additional events:

-- Poster sessions from UNM faculty, students 
and Community partners from 3-5 pm

-- Appetizers from 5-6 pm

Start a Support Group for Victims of Stalking

Start a Support Group for Victims of Stalking View the GUIDE on "How to Start and Facilitate a Support Group for Victims of Stalking" and see if this is a possibility for your organization. Support groups can provide a sense of support and validation for victims, an essential part of their ability to recover.

Lessons from the Hundred Acre Wood

By Steven Olender


Today, we celebrate the birthday of A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, whose stories have delighted millions of children and adults alike for the past 9 decades. Milne's stories doubtless have much to teach children, about loyalty, kindness, curiosity, and friendship. Looking back on Winnie the Pooh, I was surprised to realize how much wisdom there is for adults, particularly CASA volunteers, in the pages of his stories.


Full article from CASA of Travis County HERE.

Wings for L.I.F.E. - The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain

Wings for L.I.F.E.

(Life-skills Imparted to Families through Education)

The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain

Presented By:
Diane Taylor, DUI Prevention Specialist

Sunday, January 22nd, 2017
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

505 N. Pennsylvania Avenue

Andy’s Hall

Doors open at 5:45

(Sitter available)
Dinner follows Program
For Questions call: Shelly Currier @ 317-2042

Moving story from a young man who has spent his life in foster care.

After 20 Years, Young Man Leaves Foster Care On His Own Terms

When Noel Anaya was just a year old, he and his five brothers and sisters were placed in the California foster care system. He has spent nearly all of his life in that system and has just turned 21. In California, that's the age when people in foster care "age out" of the system and lose the benefits the system provides. That process becomes official at a final court hearing. Anaya, along with Youth Radio, got rare permission to record the proceeding, where he read a letter he wrote about his experience in the foster care system.

Read Full Story HERE

New Years Resolution: Become a CASA Volunteer and Change a Life

New Year’s resolutions typically focus on self-improvement: lose weight, stop smoking, exercise more often. This year, why not resolve to do something even more lasting: improve the life of a child who’s suffered abuse and neglect?

As a court-appointed special advocate, volunteers receive in-depth training to advocate in court and in the community for the needs and rights of children in foster care. CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and professions and have one thing in common: they care about the children.

To learn more about how you can make a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child here in our community, contact us by calling 575-625-0112 or go to http://casakids.org/volunteer.html.

CASA School Kids Working on Their Holiday Pinata

The decorated clay pot also called a cantero represents Satan who often wears an attractive mask to attract humanity. The most traditional style piñata looks a bit like Sputnik, with seven points, each with streamers. These cones represent the seven deadly sins, pecados - greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, wrath and lust. Beautiful and bright, the piñata tempted. Candies and fruits inside represented the cantaros (temptations)of wealth and earthly pleasures.

The blindfolded participant represents the leading force in defying evil, ‘Fe’, faith, which must be blind. People gathered near the player and spun him around to confuse his sense of space. Sometimes the turns numbered thirty three in memory of the life of Christ.

Secondly the piñata served as a symbol of ‘Esperanza’, Hope.

With the piñata hanging above their heads, people watched towards los cielos (sky or heaven) yearning and waiting for the prize. The stick for breaking the piñata symbolized virtue, as only good can overcome evil. Once broken, the candies and fruits represented the just reward for keeping faith.

Finally the piñata symbolized ‘Caridad’, Charity. With its eventual breaking, everyone shared in the divine blessings and gifts.

The moral of the piñata: all are justified through faith.