February's Newsletter Theme:
"Valentine"
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New! Now There Are TWO Articles! Look Inside!
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Meet This Month's NAASCA Volunteer!
Be a Valentine to Others!
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a non profit 501(c)3
Because of you and our simple MISSION, more
kids are being protected, more adult survivors served!
NAASCA has a single purpose, to address issues related to childhood abuse and trauma including sexual assault, violent or physical abuse, emotional traumas and neglect .. and we do so from two specific perspectives
:
- educating the public, especially as related to getting society over the taboo of discussing childhood sexual abuse, presenting the facts that show child abuse to be a pandemic, worldwide problem that affects everyone
- offering hope for healing through numerous paths, providing many services to adult survivors of child abuse and information for anyone interested in the many issues involving prevention, intervention and recovery
Building a survivor / activist / professional community ... because
together we can do what we cannot do alone
.
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Welcome to the February 2020 NAASCA Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter mailing list!
Please encourage others to get in touch by suggesting they
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This month's newsletter theme is:
"Valentine"
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Upcoming February Dates
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
First Week – National School Counseling Week
February 1 – National Freedom Day
Second week – Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 9 – National Stop Bullying Day
February 14 – Valentine’s Day
February 17 – National Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 20 – World Day of Social Justice
Fourth Week – National Eating Disorder Screening Program Week
February 29 – Leap Day
~~~~~~~~~
A NOTE FROM BILL
Exciting news !!! NAASCA is going Spanish !!!
We've launched our first Spanish pages on the NAASCA web site.
To get there simply enter the word 'espanol' after the regular URL .. like this:
The CONTACT page identifies the volunteers who are helping get the Spanish portion of the NAASCA effort up and running.
You're familiar with the English site's tools, services, and resources, and we'll be duplicating many of them in Spanish.
If you encounter other bi-lingual or Spanish folks send them to our two new 'NAASCA en Español' Facebook groups, one
PUBLICO
, the other
CERRADO
.
Please share this info to our Latino NAASCA family members!
And remember, we now do THREE 'special guest' episodes each week .. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
We'll need additional guests to tell their stories in February .. so there are now several slots open that we want to fill in! Please send me an email if you'd like to participate:
Bmurray3rd@aol.com
The 'Current Schedule' on the front page of our
NAASCA.org
web site accurately reflects the OPEN dates (clearly marked in GRAY).
Here's looking ahead for a wonderful New Year in 2020!!
In gratitude to each of you, I am .. yours in service,
Bill
PS: Be my Valentine !
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Dedicate your birthday to supporting NAASCA
by Bill Murray
Recently, and all of a sudden, it was that time again .. my BIRTHDAY !!! .. (March 26, 1953)
It seems like this happens every year! LOL
There are numerous ways to support our truly unique organization.
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Or, if you prefer, join our
LinkedIn
group!
We're building a survivor / activist community!
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NAASCA's SCAN Shows are Now on Three Platforms!
All our "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk radio shows are now available as 'on-demand' podcasts on three different platforms!
by Bill Murray
It's amazing, but NAASCA and our 'sister effort' LACP (Los Angeles Community Policing) will soon have produced 2900 "Stop Child Abuse Now" and "Community Matters This Week" talk radio shows!
We do our shows on BlogTalkRadio five-nights-a-week, all but Saturday and Sunday evenings, and each is recorded as it's being aired. It doesn't take long for the library to add up.
Now there are three ways to access these podcasts:
1. Directly through our
NAASCA web site
's 'ARCHIVES' by simply clicking on the episode's name (a number)
2. By using
APPLE Podcasts
for iPhone-style mobile devices – thanks to Dwight Hurych, North Carolina, for setting this up as a NAASCA volunteer!
3. Through
GOOGLE Podcasts
for those who use Android phones – thanks to Charm Isom-Asenime for explaining how to hear our shows on the GOOGLE Podcast platform, too,
NAASCA's 'ARCHIVES' are accessed through the NAASCA website's HOME page where it says 'current schedule'. Each year is listed there.
Please see full details, including how to download the Apple and Google Podcast apps, on the NAASCA website page:
I am so pleased that NAASCA has increased its outreach through these two additional venues!
Please help us SHARE about these new platforms by spreading the word to as many survivors and advocates you can.
We hope this enhances our ability to execute our mission: educating the public about childhood abuse, and offering hope and healing to survivors.
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Love Yourself by Being the Change You Want to See in the World
You have survived something you would not wish upon your worst enemies. You have come through on the over side. It was not easy. At times, it was the loneliest, most horrific experience. It may have been worse than the events you were working to overcome. But you chose to be a survivor, not a victim. And for that alone, you are amazing.
But your journey is not over. This Valentine’s Day, while you work on continuing to love yourself, you need to spread the love. It is time to be the change you want to see in the world. But what does that mean and how does that equal love?
Being the change you want to see in the world means that you need to start making a difference in yourself and by yourself. You cannot change anyone. You know this. You have lived a life of accepting to forgive others but know that you cannot change them and will not forget the actions. Now its is time to help others who want to overcome.
Helping someone else who is struggling is the next step in being that change. By helping another person, you are helping to create the village. Your love, kindness, and support will help them and lead them to help others. The chain reaction is amazing. This Valentine’s Day spread love by being there and helping your fellow human overcome their hurdles and become a survivor, not a victim. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “love breeds love.”
Deb Ferguson, NAASCA volunteer
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Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Classroom Teacher
As a survivor and a long-time educator, I’m burdened for the children who come into my classroom living with the pain of sexual abuse, neglect, and/or domestic violence. Sometimes, they’re easy to recognize.
Did you notice the heavyset little girl with unwashed hair? She avoids eye contact, rarely smiles, and is noticeably withdrawn. In October, she mentioned that her father “spanks really hard” and she was kept home for a urinary tract infection. A third-grade child shouldn’t have a UTI.
Or, you may have caught a glimpse of the first-grade boy who defecates and leaves small, rolled bits of feces around the classroom. His mother “fell down the stairs” last month and was in the hospital for a few days.
These are the children we serve in the education system. They are in our preschools, elementary schools, and high schools. They attend private schools, parochial schools, and public schools. We greet them every day with a smile rarely knowing which of them may be afraid to return home, but as educators we can be someone who makes a difference. We can become trauma informed and educate ourselves on the signs and characteristics of child abuse.
In the 1990’s, a longitudinal study was launched by doctors Anda and Felitti in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente with the goal of determining the relationship between adverse health outcomes and early childhood trauma.
The results were startling. For every one adverse (traumatic) childhood event, there is an 87% chance that at least one other ACE exists. Children who experience trauma regularly live with toxic stress. Their brains and bodies are flooded with chemicals like cortisol, which help to protect them during high-stress situations, but interrupt brain development and cause them to remain on “high alert”. Boys and girls are arriving at school ready for survival; they are prepared to fight, run, or freeze. They are not, however, prepared to learn.
Based on this information, it’s no surprise that 51% of children with four or more adverse childhood experiences have either behavioral or learning difficulties compared with 3% of children without an ACE score.
[1]
But, the question remains: Are there behaviors or signs that indicate a child is being abused? While there is some overlap with particular symptoms, the early childhood teacher, daycare provider, or babysitter may notice some of the following:
[2]
• Signs of trauma to the genital area
• Failure to thrive
• Chronic absenteeism
• Poor hygiene
• Fear, anxiety, clinginess (may be around particular adult or adults)
• Excessive crying
• Unexplained developmental delays
• Poor concentration
• Regression in behavior
• Withdrawal or over-compliance
• Chronic somatic symptoms (i.e. stomach ache, head ache, etc.)
• Frequent bed wetting if the child has already been potty-trained
While one or two of these characteristics may suggest a toddler is teething, multiple symptoms are cause for concern. If there is any sign of physical abuse either sexually or otherwise, contact the authorities immediately. Otherwise, begin documenting particular behaviors and concerns and record the dates. When you have a few items and dates recorded, reach out to the protective child services in your area. While it may take time before action is taken by the state, you are making a difference.
A child’s life is worth the phone call.
Tammy Kennington, NAASCA Volunteer
[1]
Burke, N.J., Hellman, J.L., Scott, B.G., Weems, C.F & Carrion, V.C. (June 2011). “The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on an Urban Pediatric Population,” Child Abuse and Neglect, 35, No. 6.
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Carlotta Taylor-Franks
'Volunteer of the Month'
for February, 2020
_________________________________________
NAASCA’s Newsletter Interview with
Carlotta Taylor-Franks, NAASCA Co-Host, Coach, Author, Speaker & Survivor
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NAASCA:
Tell us a little about yourself and how you heard about NAASCA
Carlotta:
I grew up in and out of foster care and shelters, due to being a victim of child abuse, but I also was abused in foster care as well. One of my foster parents even fed me and my brother hog slop. It would be several years before I learned the importance of self-love. By the age of 12 I even attempted suicide. The attempt was not a success. I joined the military to prevent homelessness shortly after high school. I found my first career, law enforcement by age 23. I excelled and experienced being a detective in several units such as Robbery Homicide, Backgrounds, and Child Protection. After about 15 years, I decided to do more effective work and give back to foster youth. I am now the Founder and Executive Director of Somebody Step In (non-profit organization for foster youth and aged out foster youth). I am the author of “No More Flinching.” And I speak all over the nation to inspire others.
I heard about NAASCA through an author named Kathy Jones. I met Kathy through an authors group. I am thankful she told me about NAASCA.
NAASCA:
What is it like to volunteer with NAASCA?
Carlotta:
I look forward to every first Tuesday of the month where I get to co-host the NAASCA talk radio show. I know that the first thing to helping others is bringing awareness to the issues at hand and sharing personal stories is inspiring. It’s exciting and purposeful.
NAASCA:
What is happening currently in your life, and what are your plans for the future?
Carlotta:
This is a great question. I take this very seriously. My life has shifted in major ways. As I stated before, I used to work in law enforcement. I saw myself in law enforcement for a long period of time but once I began getting closer to that 15-year mark I knew I wouldn’t continue working in that field. I often had this feeling of, it will not be long before I make the leap. Throughout the years, as time passed, I had this feeling that would come over me and I knew I was getting closer and closer to making that step. The big step. To walk away from my security blanket. My security blanket was the easy to do job, the one I could do with my eyes closed. Follow up on a case, make the arrest, present the evidence, testify in court and collect the check every two weeks. Yes, I was getting closer and closer to doing the one thing that I had buried in my mind and heart. To write a book about my story, start my non-profit and operate fully in what I believe is my purpose.
Ever since I made the big step, so many doors have opened for an opportunity for me to bring value to the field of foster care. Or to inspire others to let them know that they too can reach beyond their breaking points in life and live the life they are destined to live. I love to encourage people to walk in their purpose. As far as my future. I see many other doors opening up. I see more foster youth understanding and learning that they can not only survive in life they can thrive in life. I see the foster youth knowing they are not alone. I see Somebody Step In causing great change and a significant impact around the world and my voice will be a voice of impact to give people hope.
NAASCA:
Do you have contact information you wish to share?
Carlotta:
Yes. My website is
www.carlottataylor.com
. I can be found on Facebook as Carlotta Taylor. Instagram OfficialCarlottaTaylor. LinkedIn Carlotta Taylor. Email:
info@carlottataylor.com
Feel free to contact me. Thank you.
NAASCA:
Thank you, Carlotta, for sharing your story and being such an active voice for survivors. Listen to Carlotta co-hosting the "Stop Child Abuse Now" (SCAN) show the first Tuesday of every month.
~~~~~
NAASCA’s "Stop Child Abuse Now" (SCAN) shows are broadcast live 5 nights a week, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8pm EST (so 5pm PST) for 90 minutes, at this link:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/NAASCA
The dedicated call-in number is: 646-595-2118
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NAASCA's Grateful to All Our Members & Volunteers !
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We Need YOU!
We Need Each Other!
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Fighting For Kids,
Serving Adult Survivors
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Did you know that NAASCA is
entirely staffed by non-paid volunteers
including the Board of Directors?
All the services, programs, tools, resources, and social media efforts that we offer entirely
FREE
to anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world are staffed by volunteers from our NAASCA family!
It literally would not be possible without
YOU
.
There are many ways you can volunteer with NAASCA. If you have a little time or a lot, your help is greatly appreciated and needed. Check out our list of available positions here:
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A gift to NAASCA, created for us by Terri Lanahan of Butte, Montana, author of "
Hear My Voice
".
This is a tool anyone can download and use as a help whenever making a presentation on child abuse and trauma. It's a set of some two dozen PowerPoint slides that one can show on a laptop, send in an email, or can project on a screen for a larger group. Activist members of the NAASCA family might want to use it to explain any number of aspects of child abuse and trauma recovery.
Terri's wonderful PowerPoint presentation is located on NAASCA web site's '
Promotional Tools
' page and in our social media groups.
Show off NAASCA -- our mission, services and tools !
REMEMBER .. On the NAASCA web page you'll find links to
how to get
even more great help
when making presentations or during fundraising:
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Have You Listened to Our Talk Radio Show Lately ?
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Monday through Friday evenings we broadcast an internet-based live streaming talk show. This is one of the best
FREE
SERVICES we offer to our NAASCA members!
All shows start at
8pm EST
(so that's
7pm CEN
,
6pm MTN
&
5pm PAC
)
We really want to hear from you!
Anyone can participate or just listen to the show by calling:
(646) 595-2118
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Are You a Survivor of Child Abuse Looking for Support?
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In need of support in your local community?
NAASCA provides listings for your local area in our
Recovery Groups and Services
page.
We have gathered ALL the English speaking recovery groups and services we can find,
not only in
North America but from around the world. This list can connect you with numerous agencies, therapy, support groups and other resources in your local area.
Looking for support after hours or from home?
Can't find a group you can get to easily or want to connect when it is after business hours? Needing a way to talk about your story but want to stay anonymous? We also provide a link to another separate listing for
Online Groups and Services
, for Internet-based recovery groups.
As you can imagine, keeping this listing current and updated is a huge task. You can help other survivors find the support they need.
Submit updates for the '
Recovery Groups List
' to Carolin O'Hara:
Submit any updates for the '
Online Resource List
' to Valerie:
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You are not alone, and never have to be, a day at a time!
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All members of NAASCA are part of our 'NAASCA family', and that's not just something we say. We care about each other and that includes YOU.
We want you to feel comfortable reaching out to any of our volunteers, with any of your questions about what NAASCA offers, or for help navigating the website.
Even if you simply want someone to talk to when you are dealing with a difficult moment in your recovery as a survivor... we are here for you.
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Some are listed as night owls, some as available 24/7, others are part of our International community, still others are young or helping some specific types of survivors. Try it!
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A Note from Our Founder and CEO:
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Healing from child abuse and trauma can be a very lonely journey .. but you'll never be alone again, a day at a time, if you don't want to be !!
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NAASCA belongs to no other group and receives no outside funding. We're self-supporting through our own members' voluntary contributions.
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Please consider a one time
or recurring donation
.
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Thanking you for all you do in the fight against child abuse and trauma and welcoming you to engage with your NAASCA family, I remain, as always,
Yours in service,
Bill Murray
, Founder and CEO
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse.
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