In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Lindsay Keenan is sharing some insights on her role as a Child Welfare Specialist with Adult & Child Health. Read below to learn more about the motivation behind her work, the challenges and rewards of working this field, and the advice she has for parents and caregivers.
Let’s get to know the child behind the adult! What is something you loved during your childhood?
When I was younger, I was a big Betty Boop fan and watched Lamb Chop’s Play Along and Blue’s Clues.
In what ways do you see your work at A&C helping to improve the lives and safety of local youth?
On a daily basis, I have the honor and the opportunity to go out and strive to make a difference in the lives of young people who weren’t given a good start. A&C has given me the resources to be a source of hope for some children that may not have any. I am happy to know that I can be a source of that hope and consistency until they either are reunited with family or find their forever family! A&C gives the tools to empower foster families to provide a safe home and stability for a chaotic time in this young person’s life.
As someone who works in child welfare, what is one message you’d like to give to parents and caretakers?
Take things slow and one day at a time. Get done what you can with what you have and reach out for help if you need it. There are a lot of good people out there wanting to help and make a difference in the community and the hardest part is reaching out for that support. But I would like parents to know that it is out there!
When your work gets particularly challenging or heavy, what keeps you moving forward?
Finding my own time for myself and doing things I enjoy. Taking time throughout the day to take breaks and collect my thoughts and feelings. Having a great team that I work with definitely helps too!
What are some of your favorite moments or success stories from your work?
ADOPTIONS and REUNIFICATION! At the end of the day, that is the goal and any adoption or reunification with family is a success.
Any final thoughts?
Though working in any mental health field is hard, I would like people to know there are resources out there with people that truly want to help. Before things become a crisis or if you know of anyone that you may suspect is going through any kind of abuse, SPEAK UP!
Learn more about the ways Adult & Child Health is involved in building safe and happy childhoods here.
