In this episode, three members of the Maine team who participated in the Prevention Mindset Institute take us behind the scenes of the bold new vision to create a culture of shared responsibility for the safety and well-being for children and families in Maine.

Listeners will hear how this mindset shift is gaining momentum— from the Governor’s office to local Prevention Councils to individual parents and practitioners—creating a wave of change across the state. At the heart of this effort is building trusting partnerships with parents through authentic engagement and shared language. Tune in to discover how collaboration, relationships, and truly listening are driving this transformative work.

FRIENDS PAC members Valerie Lebanion and Michael Cupeles wrap up the episode by sharing their key takeaways from this inspiring and insightful discussion. If you're passionate about strengthening families and creating lasting change, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Hosts:

Paula Bibbs-Samuels, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

David Armstrong, FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

Participants:

Heidi Aakjer, Executive Director of the Maine Children's Trust

Christine Theriault, Family First Prevention Services Program Manager, Maine Office of Child and Family Services

Joe Whitmore, Parent Leader, Penquis Prevention Council, and FRIENDS National Parent Advisory Council Member

Dr. Isaiah Pickens, clinical psychologist, founder and CEO of iOpening Enterprises, facilitates an important discussion with two of his colleagues, Dr. Riana Anderson, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health, and Dr. Shawn C.T. Jones, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The third and final podcast of this three-part series Historical Trauma Among African Americans, Radical Healing, and Resilience addresses the outstanding resilience demonstrated by black families in the United States during a long history of traumatic events. Practitioners can affirm the resilience of black youth and help youth see the power they have in their own lives and to make change in society.

Thank you to Isaiah Pickens for collaborating with your colleagues and organizing and facilitating the discussion for this series. More about iOpening Enterprises and Dr. Isaiah Pickens, its founder and CEO, can be found here: https://www.iopeningenterprises.com/.

Dr. Isaiah Pickens, clinical psychologist, founder and CEO of iOpening Enterprises, facilitates an important discussion with two of his colleagues, Dr. Riana Anderson, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health, and Dr. Shawn C.T. Jones, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The second podcast of this three-part series Historical Trauma Among African Americans, Radical Healing, and Resilience focuses on a trauma-informed approach and how white allies and others working in solidarity can support black youth and establish trusting relationships.

Thank you to Isaiah Pickens for collaborating with your colleagues and organizing and facilitating the discussion for this series. More about iOpening Enterprises and Dr. Isaiah Pickens, its founder and CEO, can be found here: https://www.iopeningenterprises.com/.