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Editorial: Protecting All Children-Thoughts on HB 2
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by Bob Simmons, Executive Director
Safety, particularly the protection of children and women from male predators in women's restrooms, was the principal justification offered by the General Assembly and the Governor for their adoption of the law known as HB2. Otherwise, they say they would not have invalidated the nondiscrimination ordinances in Charlotte and in other North Carolina cities and towns.
But there is no evidence from any of the other places in America with broad nondiscrimination ordinances like Charlotte's that male predators have ever used the cover of the ordinance to enter a women's bathroom to commit a crime against a child or a woman. None. Some of those ordinances have been in effect for years.
On the other hand, there is ample evidence that LGBTQ children and youth have been the victims of bullying and assaults based on their expressed identity. The danger is especially acute for transgender children and youth.
Lack of protection for LGBTQ people in laws like HB2, and negative messages in the rhetoric behind those laws, embolden the peers of our LGBTQ children and youth to bully them and to assault them, most often in the restrooms and locker rooms they must share because of the sex listed on their birth certificate.
Read more
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Volunteer Profile: Leslie Schlernitzauer
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Ask Board member
Leslie Schlernitzauer how long she's been involved with the Council and she quickly responds, "I have no idea.....since the beginning of time!" Introduced to the work of the Council years ago through her mother, Sis Kaplan, and Dolly Tate, one of the early founders of the Council for Children, Leslie has been involved as a volunteer in one way or another ever since.
Currently, she serves on our board and its fund development committee. If you've attended events for the Council, you likely have enjoyed Leslie's talents as a caterer (she and her husband, Bruce, own Porcupine Provisions), another way in which Council has been the lucky recipient of her generosity.
Actively involved in the community, Leslie also is a long standing board member (and former Chair) of the
Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend, coming up April 27-30. It's a natural fit with her personal and professional interests. In her work with these two boards, she has found a way to connect her passion for good food and wine with her passion for the children of our community.
Since it's founding in 1989, Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend has raised over $4 million dollars for local charities, including Council for Children's Rights, which is one of the benefiting agencies again this year. Read more about Leslie and CWFWeekend
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Double Your Impact - Now Through May 31
We need your help to defend the rights of more children and
The Leon Levine Foundation has graciously offered a
Spring Challenge to inspire your involvement.
Between now and May 31, they will match, dollar for dollar, all new and increased gifts we receive, up to $25,000. If you've never made a gift to the Council, now would be the perfect time to show
 your support. If you've given already this year, your additional gift will be doubled. This is a great opportunity for you to protect children, and
we are so grateful for your support.
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Strong Communities Grow Strong Kids
Communities have a great impact on the lives of children and families. Just as plants are more likely to thrive in a garden with good soil and plenty of sunlight and water, families are more likely to thrive in nurturing communities. We all benefit when families have the resources and support to be successful and we can ALL play a role in growing great kids
What can you do? Here are just a couple of quick tips to get you started.
- Get to know your neighbors -problems seem less overwhelming if support is nearby
- Help a family under stress- offer to assist with chores or errands, or suggest resources that might help. As parents, be willing to ask for help or information for ourselves.
- Promote parenting education- identify formal and informal opportunities to share information on child development and effective parenting
- Be an active community member- lend a hand at a local school, community or faith -based organization, children's hospital, child advocacy center, social services agency, or other place serving children and families.
- Learn how to recognize and report signs of child abuse and neglect- reporting your concerns may protect a child and get help for a family in need.
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Council staff challenge you to #passthepinwheel for Child Abuse Prevention
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Our local Child Abuse Prevention Team has adopted the national symbol of prevention: the pinwheel. The pinwheel represents the future we want for all children. This year they planted over 100 pinwheel gardens throughout the community (some photos here) and conducted an extensive social media campaign - #PassThePinwheel. Photos, events, resources and data are all available at their new web site, www.Meck4Kids.org. Council is pleased to be part of this collaborative community effort.
If you see or suspect child abuse, call Mecklenburg County's 24-hour hotline:
704-336-CARE (2273)
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Council Releases Child Maltreatment Report
The statistics are sobering.
- Despite a dip in 2013-14, since 2004-05 the number of children reported maltreated has increased 39.8%, or 3,998 children.
- In 2014-15, 50% (7,044) of the children reported maltreated were reported maltreated for a second, third, or more times.
- Children under age 6 accounted for nearly 40% of initial child abuse and neglect reports in 2014-15. This group consistently accounts for the greatest number of reports.
This month, Council released its 2016 Child Maltreatment Report in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Compiled from publicly-available data on child maltreatment, the Council's Child Maltreatment Report is produced annually to inform concerned stakeholders and help disseminate this useful data. Copies of the full report and an executive summary are
available here.
Our thanks to volunteer
Darci Powell for invaluable assistance in producing this document.
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People are Talking! School Assignment
In February, we
distributed a survey with a simple question asking if people they would support a plan that included redrawing school boundaries. We received 953 responses out of 43 zip codes from folks with and without school-age children. Interestingly enough, one of the major themes pf their comments is
common ground.
Last Tuesday, the Board of Education revealed a
draft student assignment plan that unified school board members. There is still more work to be done but it hinged on
common ground.
What are people saying?
People who support and those who oppose redrawing school boundaries both say they want kids to attend schools close to home. Over the next few weeks, we will share some of these responses as we continue organizing them into an executive summary, which we will make publicly available. But for now,
click here for a
quick sampling of some of what folks have told us.
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April 27-30 - Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend
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Once again, the Council has been selected as one of five agencies to benefit from the Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend, held April 27 - April 30. We are grateful for their support and look forward to seeing you at one of their many events. Be sure and mention the Council when you buy your tickets!
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May 6 - Custody Advocacy Training
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The Council offers some great volunteer opportunities through our Custody Advocacy Program (CAP) for both attorneys and non-attorneys. The next CAP training will be held on May 6, 2016.
The day-long workshop takes place here at the Children & Family Services building. If you are interested, or would like more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Ann Dorsett at [email protected].
Read more and register here
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