Show Notes
Join us for another episode of "DCF On The Air," where we dive into the pressing issue of youth mental health in New Jersey. We're thrilled to partner with 2NDFLOOR, an extraordinary helpline that offers anonymous and confidential support to the youth of New Jersey 24/7. Through a heartfelt conversation with the team at 2NDFLOOR, we explore:
The severity of the youth mental health crisis in NJ, where 1 in 3 teen boys and 3 in 5 teen girls experience persistent sadness.
The journey of the 2NDFLOOR helpline, now having touched over a million young lives with trauma-informed care.
How the inclusion of young voices shapes more effective and empathetic services, leading to transformative apps that foster digital engagement and peer support.
The power of maintaining a safe space where teens feel free and emotionally secure to discuss their struggles.
How stigma is steadily diminishing, encouraging more youth to seek the help they need.
Insights into the development process of 2NDFLOOR’s app, which provides personal, confidential engagement while ensuring support in crisis situations through compassionate intervention.
Understanding the necessity of a solid support system for the staff handling these crisis communications.
Moving success stories illustrating the app's life-changing impact on New Jersey’s youth.
Tune in as we unravel the development, impact, and future vision of the Second Floor helpline and its continued commitment to fostering a supportive environment for all young individuals.
More from DCF on the Air
Don't Call it a Comeback! Newly appointed Commissioner Joseph Ribsam sits down with host Jason Butkowski to talk about his journey back to New Jersey as the new Commissioner for the Department of Children and Families. He also talks about his priorities for the Department within his new role.
In this episode we are taking it full circle at the end of Murphy's administration with Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer to highlight the work that has been done in the last 8 years to keep families safe, healthy, and connected. We will talk to the Commissioner about what may be next for herself and DCF, and her reflections on how it was to serve as the Commissioner for the Department.
In this bonus episode DCF on the Air talks with casework employees at various levels of their career about how they support their sense of safety and wellbeing in the workplace. This episode is produced in collaboration with the Rise Up fellows through CWEL (Child Welfare Education Leaders).
This conversation explores the various aspects of kinship care within child welfare, focusing on the definitions, programs, and benefits associated with kinship relationships. Jason Butkowski interviewed Takysha Livingston with the Kinship Navigator Program, Kimyatta Larmore with Kinship Resource Families, and Felice Elam with the Kinship Legal Guardianship program. These experts discuss their roles, the importance of maintaining family connections, and the positive outcomes for children placed in kinship care. The dialogue emphasizes the collaborative efforts among programs to support families and improve the overall welfare of children in the system within the Kinship Care continuum.
Men of Courage is a beautiful expression and counter to the prevailing “man-o-sphere” concept of masculinity. The short film takes audiences on a journey inside the Garden State for a fly-on-the-wall experience as five Black and Latino men share their personal experiences witnessing domestic abuseinside their homes. Led by Wil DuBose of the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJEDV), these men use their influence as community leaders to engage boys and men in compelling conversations about the roles they play in ending men's violence against women.