Understanding Child Protection Systems: Metrics and Politics

Providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of the metrics, politics, and issues surrounding child protection systems and child abuse. Equipping future politicians and policymakers with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions in this critical area. Exploring complexities of child protection systems, including the various metrics used to assess their effectiveness and the political challenges that influence policy decisions.

Engage with KARA to create/execute a strong social media strategy across multiple platforms

The Kids At Risk Action (KARA) organization seeks to enhance its social media presence by effectively distributing its extensive content library, which includes books, videos, research, and writings on child abuse and trauma, mental health, and child protection. The goal of this project is to develop a systematic approach to sharing this valuable content with a broader audience, thereby increasing awareness and engagement. The project will involve analyzing KARA's current social media strategies, identifying areas for improvement, and designing a streamlined content distribution system. This system should be user-friendly and adaptable, allowing KARA to efficiently manage and update their social media content. The project will provide learners with the opportunity to apply their knowledge of social media management, digital marketing, and content strategy in a real-world context.

Voices for Change: Child Protection Podcast

The project aims to create a compelling podcast series engaging the community in meaningful conversations about child abuse and child protection in America. The goal is to raise awareness, educate listeners, and inspire action by sharing stories, expert insights, and resources. The podcast will serve as a platform for discussing the realities, challenges and solutions related to child protection, fostering a more informed and proactive community. Students will apply their knowledge of media production, communication, and social issues to develop content that resonates with a diverse audience. By engaging a community of child friendly constituents in a conversation about the needs of abused and neglected children will help find a path to supporting the people, programs and policies that will heal children and give them the skills they need to succeed in life. By starting conversations about how communities are succeeding and failing in keeping children safe we will build understanding and advocacy for ways to improve their lives. KARA seeks help identifying process, pitfalls, and best practices in podcasting and finding support to make this a success on a larger scale.

Media Engagement (child abuse, child protection, child welfare)

The goal of project is to increase KARA's social media engagement around child protection, child abuse prevention, child advocacy. 1) Comment, find and share child abuse/child protection content through KARA's social media. 2) Interacting with other child advocacy groups on social media from KARA's account. 3) Report out monthly social media engagement metrics to KARA, communications data reporting data research site evaluation data analysis machine learning data visualization

Child Advocate Training Program

The main goal for the project is to build and launch a program to train child advocates. This program will aim to educate and empower individuals to support abused and neglected children, create awareness, and involve the community in ending childhood trauma and generational child abuse. Students will study the landscape of child abuse in America today, strengths and weaknesses of our institutions, learn about the available legal and social support systems for children, and develop effective advocacy strategies.

National Child Incident Database Development

Project Goal: Develop a Comprehensive National Child Welfare DatabaseObjective: To create a centralized, user-friendly, and secure national database that consolidates information on child abuse, neglect, and child protection practices across the United States, building upon existing systems like the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS).Key Components: 1. Data Integration: Combine data from various sources, including state-level child protective services, the NCANDS Child File, and Kids At Risk Action (KARA) reports on child deaths and egregious incidents. 2. Comprehensive Coverage: Include data on child maltreatment types, victim demographics, perpetrator information, child fatalities, CPS responses, and prevention services. 3. User Interface Design: Develop an intuitive interface for easy data input, retrieval, and analysis by policymakers, social workers, and researchers. 4. Data Security and Privacy: Implement robust security measures to protect sensitive information, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. 5. Scalable Infrastructure: Design a backend system capable of handling large volumes of data and supporting annual updates from all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico. 6. Analytical Tools: Incorporate features for trend analysis, statistical reporting, and data visualization to aid in identifying patterns and informing policy decisions. 7. Interagency Collaboration: Facilitate data sharing and collaboration between child welfare agencies, law enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders. 8. Longitudinal Tracking: Enable tracking of long-term outcomes for children involved in the child welfare system. 9. Resource Allocation Support: Provide data-driven insights to help in the effective allocation of resources for child protection and prevention services. 10. Public Awareness: Generate annual reports and public-facing dashboards to increase awareness of child welfare issues and progress. Expected Outcomes: • A unified, national database that provides a comprehensive view of child welfare in the United States • Improved data-driven decision-making in child protection policies and practices • Enhanced ability to identify trends, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and implement preventive measures • Increased collaboration and information sharing among child welfare stakeholders • Better resource allocation and targeted support for vulnerable children and families This project will serve as a critical tool in the ongoing effort to protect children from abuse and neglect, while providing valuable insights to improve the child welfare system across the nation.

Theta/CASA/KARA/Google Community Outreach Project

Connecting Thetas to a project their sorority supports (nationally) to the CASA organizations in their community. Theta learners will help their community CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) organizations find more volunteers and support for abused and neglected children where they live. KARA is looking for Theta sorority members to connect with CASAs in their state to help CASA programs connect to free Google ad Programs, build their social media, and coach individual advocacy that will improve community awareness and participation. Child Protection in the U.S. is struggling to keep abused children safe in every state. All CASAs need more community support, volunteers and public awareness for the children they serve. Learners will be made aware of their community's Child Protection System and help grow awareness, volunteerism, and support for their state's CASA organization and the children it serves. Kids At Risk Action is funding and delivering programs that help CASAs gain access to Google's Ad Grant program, connect to their community and increase the level of care abused and neglected children receive.

TikTok Video Presence Project

The main goal for the project is to build a presence for Kids At Risk Action (KARA) nonprofit's videos on TikTok and work with the Executive Director to select and manage the TikTok videos. This will involve several different steps for the students, including: - Researching the target audience on TikTok and understanding the type of content that resonates with them. - Creating a content strategy for KARA's TikTok videos that aligns with the organization's mission and goals. - Collaborating with the Executive Director to select and curate existing videos for TikTok and potentially create new content. - Managing the posting schedule and engagement with the TikTok audience. - Analyzing the performance of the TikTok videos and making adjustments based on the data.

Nonprofit Advocacy Project

The main goal for the project is to discover contact information for U.S. nonprofits advocating for abused and neglected children and provide them with free Google Ad Grants. This will involve several different steps for the students, including: - Researching and identifying U.S. nonprofits advocating for abused and neglected children. - Collecting contact information for the identified nonprofits. -If it fits, working with KARA to create a proposal for providing free Google Ad Grants to the identified nonprofits and contacting them is also possible.

DATA MAPPING

Improving the lives of abused and neglected children in the U.S. by compiling and visualizing important data and text information from states and counties in the U.S. to demonstrate to the public and policy makers current conditions and performance in CPS (Child Protective Services) in the nation today.