[1] The Lutheran Ethicists\u2019 Network invited a panel of three practitioners to share their insights on the issue of children\u2019s welfare at the Lutheran Ethicists Gathering.<\/p>\n
[2] Cheryl Collins, CEO of Holy Family Ministries, Principal of Holy Family School in Chicago, gave a report titled: “The Maltreatment of Children:\u00a0 Protecting our Future Leaders Is Everyone\u2019s Responsibility.”\u00a0 In her talk, she discussed the effects on children of living in communities with violence and her work with Holy Family Ministries to provide educational opportunities for children and youth in Chicago\u2019s under-resourced neighborhoods in order they can excel academically and grow spiritually.\u00a0 She explained that Holy Family School initially grew out of Holy Family Lutheran Church but now has its own building.\u00a0 The school which serves students pre-K through 8th<\/sup> grade is ELCA affiliated.\u00a0 It currently also includes a preschool, an afterschool and summer school program, and a Peace leadership training camp for students in grade 4-8.<\/p>\n [3] Collins explained at the Lutheran Ethicists Gathering that rates of child abuse and neglect are five times higher for children who live in poverty.\u00a0 All the teachers at Holy Family School are trained in trauma-informed practices as well as in signs of neglect and abuse in children. Collins explained that while she and teachers at her school advocate against all corporal punishment, they are trained how to distinguish between spanking and stern language as a form of discipline and the maltreatment that causes physical harm, leaves bruises, or damages self-esteem.<\/p>\n [4] Ginger Meyer, Clinical Director of the Children\u2019s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, spoke specifically about the effect of trauma on the brains of children and the long-term health effects of chronic abuse, toxic stress, and unhealed trauma. The chemical effects of experiences of abuse and trauma are a neural toxin in children\u2019s brains. Teachers and administrators need to understand the way high levels of cortisol affect children\u2019s ability to concentrate, study, and control their behavior in school settings.\u00a0 Physicians need to be aware of the adverse childhood experiences of their patients in order to treat later manifestations such as auto-immune diseases, anxiety, depression, and chronic illness.<\/p>\n [5] Most importantly, according to Meyer, the entire community needs to be aware of the need for children to be loved and to feel safe so that their brains create the wiring necessary for social connection and healthy well-being.\u00a0 \u201cThe way we nurture our children decides the templates they use for all their relationships,\u201d Meyer explained. She stressed that slowing down and doing regular activities with great love, teaches children to act also with great love.\u00a0 This is especially key in helping children heal from abuse. She also explained the importance of adult caretakers being self-aware and understanding the effects of their own past traumas.<\/p>\n