Impacts of child abuse in BIPOC communities to be discussed April 5
The impact of child abuse on Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities will be the topic of an online panel discussion Wednesday, April 5, 5 - 6:30 p.m. A panel of local health experts will explore in depth how the social construction of child abuse and neglect affects BIPOC families and the community at large. The panel includes Ngozi R. Ezike-Fatorma, Service Coordinator, Restoration for All; Fanny Fernandez, Bilingual Parent Educator, National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota; Cajetan C. Egbujor, MSW, LICSW, Child Protection Worker, Dakota County Social Services and Elijah Awalaya Zina, Fellow, Minnesota LEND Program.
The program, hosted by Dr. Ola Tolulope Monisola, Ph.D., MPH, from Restoration for All is co-sponsored by Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and several other community partners and agencies. The panel will be live-streamed and can be accessed from these links:
BIPOC communities experience disproportionate reports and allegations of abuse and neglect. They may find themselves under investigation by child protective services or in court for allegations of child abuse. This has a negative impact on BIPOC children, families and communities. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, designed to raise awareness of the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. County staff are encouraged to view the panel discussion to learn more about the impacts of child abuse in our communities.
Restoration for All is a part of Public Health's Trusted Messenger Initiative that creates partnerships with community organizations who share accurate, language-specific health information and respond to current needs in racially and ethnically diverse communities. Advancing racial and health equity and effective community engagement is an integral part of Public Health's priorities. Funding has been provided through the county's Racial Equity and Community Engagement Response Team (RECERT).