National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: AACHTC Red Sand Project Event

In conjunction with National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Everstand invites you to join the Anne Arundel County Human Trafficking Collaborative and Park Books’ powerful, eye-catching Red Sand Project Event. This interactive installation and gathering aims to raise awareness and spark conversation about the hidden crime of human trafficking not only internationally, but within the community of Anne Arundel County. Everstand is proud to be the sponsor of this event!

Turning the Tide with Awareness

On January 18, 2024, at 12:00 pm (rain or shine), participants will gather at Park Books’ Community Space (2nd Floor) at 555 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Severna Park, MD, 21146. The event will begin with a brief presentation from community partners in the fight against human trafficking:

  • Lauren Alexander-Binns, PMP, PI, Chair of the Anne Arundel County Human Trafficking Collaborative Public Awareness Subcommittee, Founder of HALT, and Physical Security Analyst, E-ISAC
  • Alexandria Garcia-Rodriguez Clay, Vice-Chair of the Anne Arundel County Human Trafficking Collaborative Public Awareness Subcommittee and Family Navigator for the Anne Arundel County Partnership
  • Caryl Ralph, Coordinator with the Anne Arundel Co. Department of Social Service Child Advocacy Center
  • Jasmine Mayo, Anne Arundel County Regional Navigator Supervisor with Everstand

Following the presentation, the community will unite in a symbolic act of solidarity. Together, we will pour red sand into cracks and crevices, which represents the hidden nature of human trafficking and the vulnerabilities that make individuals susceptible. This impactful visual will serve as a reminder that the fight against modern-day slavery requires the vigilance and support of everyone.

“In the campaign against human trafficking, awareness and advocacy is the shield that prevents victims from slipping through the cracks of exploitation. Addressing modern-day slavery, is no small feat, but by igniting a collective call to action within our community, we can strive to be the light casting out the darkness of an epidemic that knows no societal bounds,” states the chairwoman of Anne Arundel County Hun1an Trafficking Collaborative’s Public Awareness Subcommittee, Lauren Alexander Binns. “The Red Sand Project offers a visually striking way to educate our community, highlight the warning signs, and empower individuals to take action and stand against this grave injustice.”

Joining the Movement

The Anne Arundel County Human Trafficking Collaborative is committed to raising awareness and building a network of community partners to combat human trafficking. This event serves as a vital step in that direction, encouraging open dialogue and inspiring concrete action.

We encourage everyone in Anne Arundel County to join us for this impactful event. Learn about the realities of human trafficking, connect with resources, and become a part of the solution. Please RSVP to PublicAwarenessAACHTC@gmail.com by January 15, 2024 or visit the link for more details. Together, we can create a community where all individuals are valued and protected. Let’s make Anne Arundel County a beacon of hope in the fight against human trafficking.

Read more from National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: AACHTC Red Sand Project Event

BCC’s Nicole Smith Recognized for Leadership and Advocacy in Support of New Law for Social Work Licensing Exam

— Groundbreaking legislation will create a more equitable system for social workers in Maryland —

The Board of Child Care (BCC) today announced that its Executive Director of Maryland & DC Programs, Nicole Smith, has been recognized for her instrumental role in the creation and passage of new legislation aimed at addressing racial disparities in social work exam passing rates.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently signed into law a bill that will address the social worker shortage and the racial disparities in passing rates for the national exams administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. Smith and her colleagues worked closely with a group of people to challenge the inequity of the exam and advocated for the bill, HB 145, which is now law.

 

With the new law in place, a formal workgroup, funded by the Maryland Department of Health, will work to find an alternative to the current test due to the disparity. The results of the exam have shown that there are disparate passing rates for black and brown social workers. According to data, between 2011 and 2021 in Maryland, the first-time pass rates for white and Black test takers were 93% and 56%, respectively.

A leading voice in the call for change, Smith joined others in Annapolis who were instrumental in the bill to witness Governor Moore enact the law that will not only benefit Maryland’s social workers, but those who receive their care and services aimed at improving their improving their lives.

“This new law is a significant step towards addressing the racial disparities in social work exam passing rates, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Nicole Smith and her colleagues,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, CEO of the Board of Child Care.

“Nicole’s commitment to equity and justice is inspiring, and we are incredibly proud to have her as a member of our team.”

About the Board of Child Care

The Board of Child Care is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit that has been serving youth and their families for over 145 years. The organization’s history is rooted in faith, with its early beginnings being several orphanages operated by the United Methodist Church throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following several mergers, first in 1960 and another in 2019, it is known today as the Board of Child Care. With a staff of 700+, an annual budget around $50 million, and its network of partners, BCC supports communities via a national footprint of programs that extend across the Eastern half of the United States. Its broad spectrum of services to youth and their families includes residential, mental/behavioral health, trauma response, family support, and education. To learn more or see how you can get involved, visit www.boardofchildcare.org

Read more from BCC’s Nicole Smith Recognized for Leadership and Advocacy in Support of New Law for Social Work Licensing Exam

BCC Extends Deepest Condolences to Staff Member Affected by Tragic Loss to Gun Violence

It is with heavy hearts that Board of Child Care (BCC) announces the passing of Arianna Davis, daughter to BCC staff member, Antionette Belk. Arianna was struck by gunfire while riding in her family’s vehicle this past Mother’s Day, and sadly succumbed to her injuries yesterday.

Ms. Antoinette, as she is affectionately known by her students, is a teacher at BCC’s Early Learning Program in Washington. She has the truly incredible gift of fostering a joyful, caring, and compassionate classroom environment. Her dedication, commitment, and unwavering spirit make a lasting impact on her students and all who enter her classroom.

“The loss of a child is an indescribable sorrow, and we are united in offering our deepest condolences to Ms. Antoinette and her entire family,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, BCC’s President & CEO. “In light of this tragedy, we are extending our full support to Ms. Antoinette and all of our DC staff, both professionally and personally, as they grieve and begin the healing process.”

BCC has made resources and support available to ensure that Ms. Antoinette and the wider BCC team have access to a variety of assistance. These include ongoing mental health resources, such as access to an on-site licensed counselor as well as local support through the Department of Health. All staff have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) as well as paid time off to attend to their personnel wellbeing and recovery. The center will be closed on the day of Arianna’s funeral.

BCC also recognizes that incidents of gun violence are devastating and affect countless lives in our communities and beyond. We stand firmly in advocating for sensible gun control measures and supporting organizations dedicated to reducing violence and promoting peace.

During this time of mourning, we ask that the privacy of Ms. Antoinette and her family be respected. We kindly request that any media inquiries or messages of support be directed to Board of Child Care’s public relations department.

For more information about this tragic event, click here.

Read more from BCC Extends Deepest Condolences to Staff Member Affected by Tragic Loss to Gun Violence

Board of Child Care Awarded Grant to Support Youth Incentive Store at Mechanicsburg Campus

MECHANICSBURG, PA (January 2023) — The John L. and C. Jeanette Witmer Charitable Trust has awarded a special distribution grant to the Board of Child Care to support its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) store at its Mechanicsburg campus.

The store serves as an incentive to support the behavioral, academic, social, and treatment goals of the program’s youth. The same PBIS system used by BCC in its residential program is employed by tens of thousands of schools across the United States (often operating under different names and flavors, such as ‘behavior bucks’). In general, these programs help to lower critical incidents, increase engagement, and focus on rewarding positive behavior.

BCC staff reward kids throughout the day with “BCC bucks” that they can then use to shop.  The grant funds will be used to keep the store supplied with apparel, sports equipment and games, and bigger ticket items like field trips and other special interest activities.

“The stores are important components of our residential program, and we are grateful to the John L. and C. Jeanette Witmer Charitable Trust for the generous support,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, BCC president & CEO.

“This system has been proven to improve social emotional competence and academic success, improve engagement, and actually also improve relationships between the caregivers and kids.”

PBIS is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health of our residential youth. PBIS has been proven to improve social emotional competence and academic success, as well as the health and wellbeing of caregivers. It is a way to create positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning and living environments where everyone thrives. Thank you to the John L. and C. Jeanette Witmer Charitable Trust for their extraordinary support!

We use PBIS across our residential locations. Want to help? We are always accepting contributions or donations of commonly used store items.

More info here:

PBIS Incentive Stores

About the Board of Child Care

The Board of Child Care is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit that has been serving youth and their families for over 145 years. The organization’s history is rooted in faith, with its early beginnings being several orphanages operated by the United Methodist Church throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following several mergers, first in 1960 and another in 2019, it is known today as the Board of Child Care. With a staff of 700+, an annual budget around $50 million, and its network of partners, BCC supports communities via a national footprint of programs that extend across the Eastern half of the United States. Its broad spectrum of services to youth and their families include residential, mental/behavioral health, trauma response, family support, and education. To learn more or see how you can get involved, visit boardofchildcare.org.

Read more from Board of Child Care Awarded Grant to Support Youth Incentive Store at Mechanicsburg Campus

Board of Child Care Awarded Grant to Support Strengthening Families Program in Central Pennsylvania

MECHANICSBURG, PA (January 2023) — The Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation has awarded a grant to the Board of Child Care to sponsor the Strengthening Families Program in Central Pennsylvania.

The Strengthening Families Program – a partnership between Cumberland County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Dickinson College, and Board of Child Care – is a free, community-based, family-friendly prevention program available to families in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, and surrounding communities.

The program provides families with enhanced parenting techniques to build transformative generational life skill changes that strengthen family bonds. This is achieved by working with parents on their parenting skills and helping youth (ages 10-14) with decision-making, life skills, conflict resolution, and peer pressure.

Participants meet one evening each week for seven weeks, beginning with a group meal. Facilitators meet separately with parents and youth to work on specific topics ranging from coping skills to goal setting, conflict resolution, empathy, understanding developmental changes, avoiding substance abuse, and ways to show love and support. Then, participants reconnect, talk about the new skills they learned, and practice decision-making and joint problem-solving skills through role-playing.

“This program provides the tools, language, and safe environment families need to rebuild positive relationships,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, BCC President and CEO.

“We are so excited to partner with Cumberland County Drug and Alcohol Commission and Dickinson College to bring this program back as an offering to the community in Central PA and we are grateful to the Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation for helping to make it possible.”

About the Board of Child Care

The Board of Child Care is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit that has been serving youth and their families for over 145 years. The organization’s history is rooted in faith, with its early beginnings being several orphanages operated by the United Methodist Church throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following several mergers, first in 1960 and another in 2019, it is known today as the Board of Child Care. With a staff of 700+, an annual budget around $50 million, and its network of partners, BCC supports communities via a national footprint of programs that extend across the Eastern half of the United States. Its broad spectrum of services to youth and their families include residential, mental/behavioral health, trauma response, family support, and education. To learn more or see how you can get involved, visit boardofchildcare.org.

Read more from Board of Child Care Awarded Grant to Support Strengthening Families Program in Central Pennsylvania

BCC launches the Regional Navigator program in Anne Arundel County

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2021
Contact: Kristian Sekse
(443) 845-4395 (cell)
KSekse@everstand.org

New Hope for Sex Trafficking Survivors in Anne Arundel County

(Baltimore, MD)—Survivors of Sex Trafficking in Anne Arundel County have a new support system, the Regional Navigator program. Provided by the Board of Child Care, this program officially opened its doors in May of 2021. This single point of contact for trafficking survivors has recently become apparent to service providers on a national scale.  The concept of this innovative approach came to life during the extensive media coverage of the Brittiany Spears legal case.  Social media sites were overwhelmed with hashtags like #FreeBrittany as survivor voices, like that of Cyntoia Brown Long drew massive attention. Cyntoia Brown Long was a child sex trafficking victim convicted of killing her buyer at age 16 and was sentenced to life in prison as a result. Her journey to regain freedom was closely followed internationally.

The Regional Navigator Program is a response to national outcry, that children who are victims of sex trafficking should be rescued and not criminalized.

The Regional Navigator program is largely based on the BCC’s theory of change, which is trauma-informed, and relationship-based. The Board of Child Care was appointed by Governor Hogan to act as a single point of contact for survivors aged 24 and under. BCC’s Regional Navigator program is one of a few statewide pilot sites and serves individuals in Anne Arundel County.

The goals of the Regional Navigator program include creating safety plans for survivors, as well as survivor empowerment. The program offers a variety of basic needs to survivors such as provide clothing, toiletries, connecting them with legal advocacy groups, and informing survivors about victim compensation. There are many dimensions of the program that support victim empowerment. Additionally, the program provides education for community members on how to identify, report, and avoid situations that might lead to sex trafficking.

For more information, community members and survivors should call our hotline number at: 833-888-0535 or visit our website at boardofchildcare.org.

About the Board of Child Care

The Board of Child Care has a long history of serving children and families in the community.  The organization began as three United Methodist orphanages that opened in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which later merged in 1960 to become the Board of Child Care.

Today, the Board of Child Care’s $44 million annual budget provides programs that enrich communities, one family at a time.  Serving over 1,000 unique clients and their families each year BCC offers residential treatment, mental health, special and early learning educational programs, and community-based services throughout the Mid-Atlantic.  To see a map of all program locations and descriptions of each BCC program, visit boardofchildcare.org.

For more information, please email ksekse@everstand.org.
###

Read more from BCC launches the Regional Navigator program in Anne Arundel County

BCC’s Leadership Statement on the Verdict Yesterday: April 20, 2021

On behalf of the board of directors, and the entire executive leadership team, we would like to take a moment to respond to two events from yesterday: the Derek Chauvin trial verdict and the unfolding events surrounding the tragic death of fifteen-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, who was shot by a police officer in Columbus, Ohio. Continue reading…

Read more from BCC’s Leadership Statement on the Verdict Yesterday: April 20, 2021

Our purpose and BCC’s path forward

A Letter from BCC’s President & CEO

“Compassion asks for us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion and anguish.  Compassion means the full immersion of being human.” ~ Henri Nouwen.

To the communities BCC serves, our staff, and stakeholders,

I am disgusted and appalled at the murder of Mr. George Floyd.  This past week’s events, and the unfathomable pattern they are a part of, have made me realize that we are often silent on the racial injustice and discrimination that my colleagues and friends face every day. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Freddie Gray and countless others reinforce the brutal truth that the African American community still remains vulnerable and subjected to senseless acts of violence.  Not talking openly about racism allows it to grow in the shadows and helps seed the horrific events we witness.

Time and again I begin my all staff messages with our purpose statement:  enriching communities, one family at a time.  At BCC, we cannot fulfill our purpose statement without taking a stand against police brutality and racism.   Through this lens, I am looking at our own community and the hurt and fear many are experiencing.  As a broad and diverse organization that spans many states, cultures and communities, I realize that any message I post will be interpreted differently by each person because we bring our own set of perspective and lived experience. At the Board of Child Care – we must begin talking about racism that effects all of us.

This is a moment to care for and listen to one another, and to create intentional spaces for critical conversations about the role and sources of systemic racism in our own BCC community, our neighborhoods, States, regions and our country and to commit to solving them.  It is imperative to create a process for critical racial and diversity conversations at BCC.

To this end, BCC is building upon the revolutionary work of its internal LGBTQ+ committee and refining as expanding it to embrace Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.  The Senior Leadership Team learned about the EDI committee in March just before COVID-19 began our collective immersion into our “new normal.”

The EDI committee will consist of colleagues from across the agency that serve in a variety of roles.  It will be a forum for important dialogue that generates problem solving and new ways of doing things that allows for recovering and healing at BCC. The EDI committee will help BCC learn how to create opportunities for conversations and interactions to allow for understanding appreciation of our unique perspectives and backgrounds. I stress here I will not rely on a committee to solve the huge social issue of racism, nor will it be the end of BCC’s efforts.  Like so many this week, however, I feel a sense of urgency to get started immediately and this is a mechanism I can activate quickly and build momentum from.

The EDI Committee will facilitate an informed conversation and thoughtful strategy around diversity and inclusion.  The strategy to be developed will include considerations and plans such as:

  • Develop an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pledge that declares the vision of BCC related to progress in this area of focus
  • Continue building psychological safety that promotes dialogue about racism and social injustices
  • Develop a cohesive EDI strategy and establish workable goals that may include things like:
    • Working with Human Resources to review and updating the policies and procedures of BCC so that all diversities are included
    • Establish days to celebrate and learn about our differences and similarities
    • Provide helpful consultation to Senior Leaders when managing the challenges of our diverse workforce
    • Influence and/or deliver training topics and content to improve our ability to interact with different cultures, becoming and being aware of one’s own cultural views and biases, develop tolerance for cultural differences and building cross-cultural skills across the workplace (orientation, ongoing education, Leadership and management academy, training requirements)
    • Influence the themes of the Wellness calendar to focus on diversity

As CEO, I will actively participate as a member of these efforts in the pursuit of an environment at BCC where there is equity, diversity and inclusion.  An environment that we all – regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, religious beliefs, disability or age – can engage fully at BCC with joy and purpose in our special work.

Our BCC community is hurting. To that end, specific internal resources have been provided to staff. For the general public reading this message, I urge you to take a moment and be aware of your own bias. Take the implicit bias test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/index.jsp

We will stumble and make mistakes in this journey.  No doubt, we won’t get it right each time, but we will learn from our mistakes, like we do now, and learn and grow each time. I am eager to begin to face racism and injustices with you to create a more equitable, diverse and inclusive BCC community. Together.

Warmly,

Laurie Anne “LA” Spagnola
President & CEO

Read more from Our purpose and BCC’s path forward
Black Lives Matter

BCC Launches Caminos Nacional to Assist At-Risk Youth

BCC Launches Caminos Nacional to Assist At-Risk Youth

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2020
Contact: Kristian Sekse
Email: ksekse@everstand.org
Phone: 443.845.4395

(Baltimore, MD)—The Board of Child Care of the United Methodist Church, Inc. (BCC) announced today that it has been awarded a $6.9 million Federal grant to provide fifty (50) residential beds for children who enter the United States but who are without a guardian. This population is commonly referred to as “unaccompanied children.” The grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Delivering this service helps BCC fulfill its purpose: enriching communities, one family at a time.

Unaccompanied children are at significant risk of exploitation, including human trafficking. ORR partners with residential providers, like BCC, to deliver best practice and trauma informed child welfare services. Some of these services include temporary shelter, education, medical and mental health care, and, most importantly, vetting of a suitable sponsor or foster care placement for the child. The child will live at BCC for a short period of time but will remain with their sponsor (or in a Federal foster care placement) while they await their immigration court date to make their immigration case.

BCC calls this program, “Caminos,” which is the Spanish word for “journey.” As an organization BCC has been running Caminos since 2014. Caminos Nacional utilizes the skills developed delivering the program and extends it reach by providing guidance, consultation and grant management to accredited partner organizations so that they may also offer the Caminos service to these at-risk children.

BCC’s Caminos Nacional program will bring Cunningham Children’s Home of Urbana Illinois (CCH, cunninghamhome.org) and Florida United Methodist Children’s Home (FUMCH, fumch.org) in partnership with BCC. This is the first time BCC is serving as a consultant and grant manager.

“BCC’s purpose is to enrich communities, one family at a time. The partnership with CCH and FUMCH was made possible by our mutual involvement in the United Methodist Association (ouruma.org) and we are all thankful for our faith-based network! Caminos Nacional will give us the opportunity to share our therapeutic best practices with each other, which ultimately benefits everyone in our respective communities,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, BCC’s President, and CEO. “It’s truly an incredible example of our purpose statement in action. I know we’ll learn a lot from each other and emerge stronger from working together.”

The Board of Child Care is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit, which has been serving youth and their families across the Mid-Atlantic for over 130 years. With over 800 staff and an annual budget around $43 million, its programing continuum includes behavioral health, residential treatment, and educational services.

For more information, please email ksekse@everstand.org.
###

Read more from BCC Launches Caminos Nacional to Assist At-Risk Youth

BCC Participates in Baltimore City’s forum on Childhood Trauma organized by Congressman Elijah Cummings.

BALTIMORE —On  Tuesday, August 20, 2019, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-District 7,  held a forum on Baltimore’s childhood trauma. Board of Child Care’s CEO and President Laurie Anne Spagnola joined youth advocate leaders from across the public and private sector to examine what causes childhood trauma and how much damage it can do, and determine how state and city leaders — and residents — can limit the impact.

 

The forum is a follow up to a July Committee hearing on “Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Childhood Trauma: A Pervasive Public Health Issue that Needs Greater Federal Attention.” For forum, highlights click here

To learn more about the impact of

Trauma and Early Adversity on Children’s Development click here.

Read more from BCC Participates in Baltimore City’s forum on Childhood Trauma organized by Congressman Elijah Cummings.