>>> AMERICANS HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN REDUCING THE AMOUNTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN OUR COUNTRY.

BUT ARE BUDGET CUTS GOING TO UNDO ALL THE GOOD WORK AND PUT OUR CHILDN AT RISK?

HOW SHOULD WE RETHINK CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION?

FIND OUT, "DIALOGUE" IS NEXT.

>> HELLO, I'M JOAN CARTAN-HANSEN.

THANKS FOR JOINING US HERE ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AND PUBLIC RADIO STATION.

ACCORDING TO THE FOURTH NATIONAL INCIDENCE CERTIFIED OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, FROM 191993 TO 2006 ABUSE DROPS.

THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

BUT EXPERTS NOTE THESE DECREASES HAPPENED DURING GOOD ECONOMIC TIMES.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW THAT ECONOMIC TIMES ARE TOUGHER AND GOVERNMENTS ARE SLASHING THE BUDGETS FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS?

WILL WE UNRAVEL THE GOOD WORK, LEAVG MORE CHILDREN AT RISK?

JIM HMOROVICH IS PRESIDENT OF PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA.

HE'S IN IDAHO ADDRESSING THE IDAHO CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND CONFERENCE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> ARE WE REALLY SEEING A DECLINE IN THE AMOUNT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN OUR COUNTRY?

OR ARE CASES NOT BEING REPORTED?

>> I THINK YOUR INTRODUCTION WAS RIGHT ON TARGET, TO BE QUITE HONEST.

I THINK WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT PRIOR TO THE DATES OF THESE STUDIES, A LOT OF INVESTMENTS WERE MADE INTO CHILD NEGLECT PREVENTION, INVESTMENTS SUCH AS PARENT EDUCATION, HOME VISITING SERVICES AND THOSE ACTIVITIES PAID OFF.

WHAT WE SAW WAS IN FACT A DECREASE IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT STATISTICS.

I THINK YOU ALSO SAID IT VERY WELL, THOSE WERE PRETTY GOOD ECONOMIC TIMES, WHICH ALSO HAD THESE INVESTMENTS BEING MADE PRIOR TO THE STUDY.

WE'RE IN VERY DIFFERENT TIMES GHT NOW.

MY BIGGEST FEAR IS PEOPLE WE THINK THE BATTLE IS DONE AND THE WAR IS WON.

BY NO MEANS HAS IT.

ECONOMIC TIMES BRING ABOUT STRESS AND STRESS IS ONE OFHE BIGGEST FACTORS PRETIP TAKE THING FACTORS, THAT BRINGS ABOUT ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO YET.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME GENERAL STATISTICS.

IF YOU'RE IN A HOUSEHOLD WITH MORE THAN ONE PARENT OR BOTH PARENTS UNEMPLOYED, THE RISK GOES UP.

CHILDREN IN HOUSES WITH UNEMPLOYED PARENTS HAVE TWO TIMES THE RATE OF ABUSE AND THREE TIMES THE RATE OF NEGLECT.

IS THAT STRESS?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY, WITHOUT QUESTION.

IF I COULD GIVE A VERY QUICK STORY, I WAS ON A PANEL WITH A CHILD WELFARE PANEL FROM A MIDWESTERN STATE.

SOMEONE SAID, IS ABUSE AND NEGLECT GOING UP?

AND HE SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFINITELY IT IS.

>> IN THE CENTRAL CITY?

>> NO, IN THE SUBURBS.

PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS AND HOMES.

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF STRESSES THAT BRING ABOUT THE ABUSE OF OUR CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK HE SAID IT ALL IN ABOUT A 20-SECOND LITTLE STORY.

>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ABUSE AND NEGLECT, YOU THINK SEX ABUSE, PHYSICAL ABUSE, BUT NEGLECT, WHICH ACTUALLY ISN'T DROPPING AS DRAMATICALLY AS THE HARSHER FORMS OF ABUSE.

NEGLECT IS ACTUALLY -- THERE'S INFER BEEN A GOOD REPORT, IT'S STATE PRETTY STATIC AND IT WILL HAVE GONE UP.

>> NEGLECT IS WHEN A PARENT DOES NOT DO WHAT A COMMON SENSE PARENT SHOULD DO FOR A CHILD.

THEY DON'T PROTECT THEM NECESSARILY FROM A PERPETRATOR THAT WANTS TO SEXUALLY ASSAULT THE CHILD.

THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING THE FOOD, THE HOME, THE SHELTER TYPE OF COMMON EVERYDAY NECESSITIES THAT A CHILD NEEDS.

IT CAN BE EMOTIONAL NEGLECT.

IT COULD BE WHERE THERE IS NO CONVERSATIONS IN THE HOME TO HELP THE CHILD GROW, TO HAVE THEIR MIND GET EXPANDED.

LOTS OF DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

I KNOW THAT WAS ONE OF THE METHOMETHOD LOGICAL PARTS OF THE STUDY.

>> BUT THERE IS A REAL FEAR THAT THE BUDGET IN IDAHO CONTROLS MANY OF THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WAS PRETTY DRAMATICALLY HIT.

YOU AUTOMATICALLY KNOW AT LEAST TWO DAYS A WEEK THERE ARE MINIMAL OR NO PROTECTION FOR THOSE KIDS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO?

>> I THINK IT'S SERIOUS.

IDAHO UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT THE ONLY STATE IN THIS POSITION BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT IDAHO FOR A SECOND.

I THINK WE'LL FIND MANY OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE SO WELL BY OUR STATE WORKERS AND PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE DONE.

SOME OF THE CONCRETE SUPPORTS THAT PARENTS NEED IN ORDER TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN HEALTHY DEVELOPMENTAL ENVIRONMENTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE DONE.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE I THINK A LONG-TERM IMPACT.

THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH DONE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THAT SAYS WHEN A CHILD IS ABUSED OR NEGLECTED THERE ARE SOMETIMES LONG-TERM IMPACTS.

IMPACTS IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, CRIMINALGENIY BEHAVIOR, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND ON AND ON.

ABOUT ONE THIRD OF ALL ABUSE AND NEGLECT THAT GOES ON OCCURS BETWEEN THE AGES OF BIRTH TO THREE.

THAT'S THE VERY TIME WHEN THE BRAIN IN DEVELOPING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING TO BE PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN, PROVIDING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS FOR THEM SO THEY CAN DEVELOP.

WE WANT THEM TO BE REALLY COMPETITIVE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY AND WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THE SERVICES FOR ALL THE FAMILIES IN IDAHO.

>> HOW DO WE RETHINK CHILD ABUSE IF WE'RE IN TIGHT ECONOMIC TIMES?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE VERY FIRST THINGS THAT I ALWAYS ADVOCATE THAT IS WE HAVE TO ASK A DIFFERENT SET OF QUESTIONS.

QUITE HONESTLY, THE PUBLIC DEFAULT OF THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION, PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY SAY, THIS IS HORRIBLE I READ ABOUT THAT CASE.

IF WE'RE DOING OUR JOB RIGHT AS A STATE WE'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THOSE CASES.

>> NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE HAPPENING AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THEM, BUT BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXIST.

>> VERY WELL SAID.

>> WE HAVE TO START ASKING THE QUESTIONS FIRST OF ALL, DEFINING IT DIFFERENTLY.

WE IN PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA SAY PREVENTION OF THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT MEANS THAT IT NEVER OCCURS.

EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF DEMOGRAPHIC, WEALTH IN THE FAMILY, SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY NOT TO BE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED, TO LIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS HEALTHY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY CLEAR.

WE HAVE TO DEFINE IT BETTER AND SECOND OF ALL, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WHEN WE TAKE ON CERTAIN SERVICES TO HELP CHILDREN GROW THAT WAY, THERE WON'T BE THOSE LONG-TERM IMPACTS.

WHEN WE TOOK A LOOK NATIONALLY AT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA -- THEY DID A RESEARCH PROJECT ON THE COST OF WHEN WE DO NOT PREVENT ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

IT CAME OUT TO BE $104 BILLION A YEAR.

THAT'S BECAUSE WHEN CHILDREN ARE UNFORTUNATELY PROVIDED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE'S TOXIC STRESS, THE BRAIN DOESN'T DEADLY WEAPON AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO, THERE ARE LIFELONG CONSEQUENCES THAT END UP IN PRISON, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THE FIRST QUESTION I WOULD ASK LEGISLATORS AND POLICY MAKERS TO ASK IS WHAT COULD WE DO TO PREVENT A CHILD FROM BEING ABUSED AND NEGLECTED.

AND KEEP ASKING THAT QUESTION UNTIL WE GET TO KNOW WHERE WE ALL WANT TO BE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD HAS CERTAIN SERVICES THAT KEEP THEM HEALTHY, GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR BRAIN IN A WAY TO PUT THEM ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE IN IDAHO.

>> WHAT KIND OF SERVICES DO THEY NEED?

>> TWO MAJOR ONES RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

THE FIRST IS PARENT EDUCATION.

WE'VE HAD THE STORIES, I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME -- THE FIRST CHILD CAME INTO THE CAR AND IT HIT ME, I'M ALONE WITH HER MOTHER, WHAT DO I DO?

IT'S A SCARY THING.

WHEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS CAME ON TV AND SAID, WE REPRESENT THE HARDEST JOBS, THEY BOTH WERE PARENTS, NOT JUST PRESIDENT, THEY WERE RIGHT.

BEING A PARENT IS TOUGH.

AND SOMETIMES PARENTS NEED ANSWERS.

SOMETIMES THOSE ANSWERS AREN'T ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND PARENTS JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE IT'S A NEW SITUATION.

PARENT EDUCATION AND INFORMATION IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THOSE SERVICES.

THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT ONE, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, IS HOME VISITATION SERVICES.

THEY MEAN THAT WHEN MOM IS PREGNANT IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER, A PROFESSIONAL ASSESSES THE SITUATION WITH HER PERMISSION AND THE PARENTS' PERMISSION, WE CAN HELP MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO RAISE YOUR CHILD IN THE TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT YOU WANT.

WE CAN HELP YOU GET CONNECTED IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN YOU NEED THOSE KINDS OF CONNECTIONS.

WE CAN TEACH YOU HOW NOT TO BE STRESS SOD THAT YOU SHAKE THAT BABY AND UNFORTUNATELY HURT THE BABY.

THERE ALMOST PROGRAMS WHERE THERE ARE OURS, HAPPY FAMILIES AMERICA, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP, MANY VERY VALID HOME VISITATION PROGRAMS THAT OUGHT TO BE EXPANDED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN IDAHO.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, GOVERNOR OTTER ELIMINATED THOSE SEVERAL YEARS AGO, EVEN BEFORE THE BUDGET CRISIS HIT.

SOME OBJECTED, SAYING THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH HOW I RAISE MY CHILD.

WHAT'S YOUR REMARKS?

>> I'M TRYING NOT TO BE SMART ALECKY ABOUT THIS, BUT THE GOVERNMENT WILL START TO RAISE THE CHILD IN FOSTER CARE, THROUGH ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAMS, AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND DETENTION.

WE HAVE TO START LOOKING AT INFORMATION AND RESEARCH AND MAKING PUBLIC POLICY DECISION BASED UPON THAT.

IF IN FACT ONE THIRD OF ALL CHILDREN ARE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED BEFORE THE AGE OF THREE, AND IF WE KNOW THAT STRESS CAUSES THAT CHILD'S BRAIN NOT TO DEVELOP VERY WELL, AND RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE CHILD CAN HAVE LIFELONG CONSEQUENCES OF DIVERSITY IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS, IT SEEMS TO ME THESE KINDS OF SERVICES MAKE SENSE.

RESEARCH BACKS THAT SUGGESTION.

>> IT'S REALLY CONCLUSIVE ABOUT THE IMPACTS, NOT JUST THE SEXUAL ABUSE AND PHYSICAL ABUSE, BUT WHEN A PARENT HAS DEPRESSION, OR A PARENT IN PRISON, ALL OF THESE FACTORS DRAMATICALLY INCREASE AS CHILD'S CHANCES OF HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES AND DIABETES AND OTHER CHRONIC ISSUES MUCH LATER IN LIFE.

THAT COSTS US A FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AGAIN, A GOOD PIECE OF INFORMATION.

THERE ARE LEGISLATORS AND POLICY MAKERS THAT SHOULD ALWAYS ASK, WHAT PREVENTS ABUSE AND NEGLECT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE?

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT THAT?

THAT'S TRUE PREVENTION SITE NEVER OCCURS.

>> THERE IS A PROGRAM CALDWELLNESS FOR CHILDREN.

COULD YOU DEFINE WHAT THAT MEANS?

>> BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS GET AWAY FROM THE TERM OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

WE FOUND IDENTITY THROUGH RESEARCH AGAIN, THAT PEOPLE DO NOT REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WORD.

THERE WERE TIMES WHEN GRAPHICS ACCOMPANIED THE MESSAGE WHICH ABSOLUTELY TURNED PEOPLE OFF.

PEOPLE WERE JUST HORRIFIED AND SAID, I CANNOT DEAL WITH IT, IT WAS SO OVERWHELMING.

OUR MESSAGING AT THAT TIME DIDN'T GIVE SOLUTIONS.

WE KNOW HOW TO PREVENT ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC WILL NOT LISTEN TO ANYWAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THE PUBLIC REALLY WANTS.

I HAVE YET TO MEET A PARENT OR THE PUBLIC WHO SAYS, WE DON'T WANT A HEALTHY, WELL-ADJUSTED CHILD IN A HAPPY, FUNCTIONING FAMILY IN A STRONG COMMUNITY IN A STRONG NATION.

EVERYONE WANTS THAT.

OUR MESSAGE IS ONE OF WELLNESS.

HOW DO WE GET A CHILD TO A POINT WHERE THEY ARE IN A LOVING NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN CHECK OUT THE FACTS OF IMMUNIZATION AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR A HEALTHY CHILD, THAT'S WHAT WE BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO BE DOING AS A COUNTRY.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY BIG GOAL.

>> YES, IT IS.

>> HOW DO YOU EVEN BEGIN?

>> WE HAVE A VERY STRONG ADVOCACY PROGRAM.

I USE THAT WORD AND I WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT IT.

I DON'T THINK WE LOBBY.

I THINK WE PROVIDE INFORMATION.

AND MUCH OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE'RE CARRYING TO WASHINGTON AND STATE LEGISLATURES IS EXACTLY -- EXCUSE ME -- WHAT I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT NOW.

WE'RE ASKING THE LEGISLATORS TO ASK DIFFERENT SETS OF QUESTIONS.

YOU KNOW, HOW CAN WE PREVENT SOMETHING, WHAT PROGRAMS WORK, WHAT ARE THE COST-BENEFIT RATIOS ATTACHED TO THESE THINGS.

IT JUST STRIKES ME THAT WHENEVER OUR COUNTRY HAS COME UNDER ECONOMIC THREAT OR NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT, OUR GOVERNMENT HAS COME TOGETHER AND DEVELOPED A PLAN.

WE MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT THAT PLAN WAS BUT THEY DEVELOPED A PLAN.

WE NEED A PLAN FOR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT JUST CAN'T BE FOR AN EDUCATION SYSTEM OR A HEALTH SYSTEM OR A CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

IT'S GOT TO BE ACROSS ALL THOSE AGENCIES AND SERVICES.

FAMILIES DON'T COME IN FUNDING STREAMS.

THEY NEED A SERVICE NOW, SO THAT THEY CAN ADJUST WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING IMMEDIATELY SO THAT CHILD BECOMES HEALTHY.

>> HOW DO YOU GET THOSE TOWERS OR SILOS, OF AGENCIES TO ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHER?

>> AGAIN, THIS IS A PERSONAL OPINION, WHICH I NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS.

>> GO FOR IT.

>> I BELIEVE THAT IF WE PICTURE THE CHILD AND FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF A BULLS-EYE OF A TARGET, AND YOU HAVE CONCENTRIC CIRCLES AROUND THAT, THEY REPRESENT THE HEALTH SYSTEM, THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM, THE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY SYSTEM, THE DISABILITY SYSTEM.

THE PROBLEM IS, EVERYONE IS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY THAT FAMILY.

THE PROBLEM ALSO IS OFTEN -- NOT ALWAYS BUT OFTEN -- IS THAT THOSE SYSTEMS DON'T COORDINATE WITHIN THEMSELVES.

WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING IS THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THIS BULLS-EYE, AND AT THE 12, 3, 6 AND 9 MARK KLUTING, PUT A PATHWAY AND ERASE FROM THE FAMILY WITH THE OUTERMOST LINE, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPREHENSIVELY SERVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES UNTIL WE INTEGRATION ACROSS AGENCY LINES, SHARED FUNDING, MONEYS COMING TO THE AGENCIES SHOULD BE BLENDED IN AN ACCOUNTABLE WAY TO SERVE THE FAMILY WHEN THEY NEED IT.

THERE SHOULD BE A COMMON ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL SYSTEM SO EVERYONE IS TALKING THE SAME WAY.

AND THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE PERTINENT INFORMATION SO MOM AND DAD DO NOT HAVE TO SAY THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

IT IS SO FRUSTRATING TO WATCH A PARENT WHO HAS TO REPEAT THINGS THEY KNOW LIKE THE INSIDE OF THEIR HAND, THEY HAVE TO REPEAT IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> HOW DO WE START?

>> WE START WITH EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.

I'M SO PLEASED YOU TOOK THE TIME TO INVITE HE T ME TO THE SHOW.

WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE, IT'S ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THE PROMISE.

>> IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO GET PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT CHANGING POLICY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT REMINDS YOU OF HAVING TO SIT THROUGH THE LONG LECTURES IN SCHOOL ABOUT STUFF YOU DIDN'T REALLY CARE ABOUT.

>> WELL SAID.

>> WE ALL SHOULD CARE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A STRUCTURE IN PLACE, THE PROGRAM ITSELF IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP AFTER THAT?

WHERE DO YOU GO NOW THAT YOU'VE GOT SOME EDUCATION?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE TO CHANGE A WHOLE LOT OF LAWS.

IF I HAD FIVE MINUTES WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, I WOULD SAY MANY OF THE SAME THINGS I'VE SAID RIGHT NOW.

MR.

PRESIDENT, BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, COULD YOU REQUIRE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COLLABORATION AMONG THE FEDERAL AGENCIES?

COLLABORATION, SO THAT WHEN FUNDING IS PROVIDED TO THE NUMEROUS FUNDING SOURCES NECESSARY, THAT THERE'S A GREATER DEGREE OF CONCENTRATION ON HOW ARE WE DOING THIS, ARE WE DOING IT TOGETHER, AND ARE WE REALLY SERVING THE WHOLE FAMILY AND THE WHOLE CHILD.

THAT WOULD BE MY NEXT STEP.

IF WE CAN'T GET TO THE PRESIDENT TO HAVE THAT PRIVATE TALK, I'LL GO FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF OR SOMEBODY IN THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE.

>> AND THEN TAKE IT TO THE STATE LEVEL, TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF I COULD, I REMEMBER AFTER I RETIRED FROM STATE GOVERNMENT I WAS ASKED TO DO A JUVENILE LAW STUDY COMMISSION TYPE OF FACILITATION.

AND SOME OF THE THINGS I'M TALKING ABOUT CAME OUT THERE.

WHEN WE FOND OUT, WHEN WE GOT STATE LEGISLATORS TOGETHER AND POLICYMAKERS, THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF REASONS WHY WE COULDN'T DO IT IN THIS PARTICULAR STATE.

LUCKILY THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE GOVERNOR ORDERED ALL THE AGENCY HEADS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATUE STATUTES AND THERE WERE NO FEDERAL LAWS THAT PROHIBIT WHAT HAD WE WANTED TO GET DONE.

BUT THERE ARE STATE RULES, POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT WERE NOT ALLOWING US TO DO THE INTEGRATION OF SERVICES WE THINK WE PROBABLY WANT.

>> A STUDY OF THAT MAY BE APPROPRIATE.

>> YES.

>> HOW ABOUT SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BE A PART OF THIS TO MAKE THINGS BETTER TO KIDS, WHAT CAN THE INDIVIDUAL DO?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, THEY CAN GOAT KNOW THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND, THE PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA CHAPTER HERE IN IDAHO.

THEY CAN CALL A GUY NAMED ROGER SHERMAN AND SAY, WE WANT TO VOLUNTEER.

NOT JUST NECESSARILY AT AN EVENT BUT MAYBE THEY HAVE SOME LEADERSHIP QUALITIES THAT MAYBE CAN BE USED.

IN SOME INSTANCES THEY CAN HELP AT CERTAIN TYPES OF -- THEY CAN DONATE MONEY.

IT'S NOT MONEY THAT MAKES THINGS WORK.

IT'S PEOPLE THAT MAKE THINGS WORK.

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE, LET THEM POET SOMETHING ON THE WALL.

THIS IS WHAT I KNOW AND THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE.

THEY CAN VOLUNTEER TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS AT THE POLICY LEVEL.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE ALL HEARD OF THE SIX SETS OF SEPARATION.

SOMEBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY.

HOW IS IT THAT WE CAN GET TO SEE A GOVERNOR OF IDAHO OR A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, OR A PARTICULAR LEGISLATOR IN CHARGE OF THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE?

AND MAYBE WE DON'T EVEN NEED TO TALK TO THAT PERSON.

MAYBE THEIR CHIEF OF STAFF OR ONE OF THEIR AIDES.

LET US HAVE 20 MINUTES WITH THAT PERSON TO INFORM AND EDUCATE AND START TO CONNECT THE DOTS.

WHEN WIE TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES CAN BE AND WHAT WE CAN AVOID, IT BECOME AS LOT EASIER TO MAKE DECISIONS TO PROTECT CHILDREN EARLIER.

>> IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

YOU CAN ASK WHATEVER CANDIDATE THAT APPEARS AT YOUR DOOR WHAT THEY THINK SHOULD BE DONE TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.

>>> LET'S PICK YOU WANT BROADER TOPIC.

THE UNITED STATES CAME IN 20th IN ITS RANKING IN TERMS OF WELL-BEING FOR CHILDREN IN OUR NATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK WE SHOULD BE NO.

1 BUT WE ARE 20.

WHY ARE WE THAT LOW?

>> 85 HIT UPON A STUDY THAT WAS ONE OF THOSE AHA MOMENTS FOR ME.

IT WAS AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT FOR ME TO SEE THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH, RANKS AS LOW AS WE DID IN CHILD WELL-BEING.

I THINK BASICALLY SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE INTEGRATE SERVICES, CREATE PUBLIC POLICY THAT HELPS EVERY CHILD GROW YOU WANT TO HEALTHY, THAT ALLOWS PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DEVELOPMENT STAGES ARE AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE AT THOSE STAGES.

AND THAT SOMETIMES OUR BUSINESSES DON'T TAKE A LOOK AT THE LONGVIEW AND SAY, YOU KNOW, FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, NOT JUST FOR THE EMPLOYEE BUT ALSO FOR OUR CORPORATION BECAUSE THEY BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE.

AND FOR OUR COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

IF WE'RE GOING TO REMAIN ECONOMICALLY COMPETITIVE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY, WE NEED YOUTH THAT CAN TAKE ANYONE ON IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE'VE GOT TOO TAKE THE LONGVIEW HERE.

>> WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITIES AS A WHOLE?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO START TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION OR JUST PLAIN HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S OFTEN I'M IN A ROOM AND TALKING TO NUMEROUS SOCIAL WORKERS AND REALLY HARDWORKING PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE GOT THEM IN OUR CORNER.

THEY ARE SINGING WITH US IN THAT CHOIR.

WHY SHOULDN'T WE BE GOING TO PUBLIC PLANNERS, CITY ZONING SPECIALISTS.

WHY DON'T WE TAKE A DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING AT THE WAY WE GROW OUR STAYS DEVELOP NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE WAY MAYBE WE PUT CERTAIN TYPES OF FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES RIGHT THERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

NOT A COMMUNITY PARK, THAT COULD BE SEVEN, EIGHT MILES AWAY.

RIGHT THERE IN OUR COMMUTE.

WE COULD DO A LOT TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS INTERACT, WHICH IS GOOD TO KEEP THEM ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OTHER, THAT THEY CAN SEE THEIR CHILDREN PLAY TOGETHER, THEY SPEND TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

LET'S TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN EXPERTISE IN AN AREA WE TYPICALLY DON'T ASSOCIATE WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION.

>> WHY WOULD A COMMUNITY PARK HELP?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IT REDUCES STRESS -- SEVERAL THINGS.

WHEN PARENTS FEEL SOCIALLY ALIENATED THEY BECOME A LITTLE BIT CLOSED, STRESS GROWS, THEY MAY BE UNEMPLOYED, THEY DON'T HAVE A NETWORK OUT THERE.

IF WE CAN GET FOLKS TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE, MAYBE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, NEIGHBORS TALKED TO EACH OTHER.

WHEN SOMEBODY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFICALLY, A DEATH OCCURRED A JOB PROMOTION, IT WAS A CELEBRATION OF THE ENTIRE BLOCK.

EVERYONE IN MY POLISH COMMUNITY GOT TOGETHER AND CELEBRATED THAT OR SYMPATHIZED, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO I THINK IS TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK AT THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.

AND CITY PARKS LIKE THAT, OR NEIGHBORHOOD PARK CONSIST DO THAT.

WE CAN ELIMINATE OR AT LEAST DECREASE SOCIAL ALIENATION.

AT THE SAME TIME, WHAT WE CAN BE DOING IS LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER.

PARENTS SUPPORT GROUPS DON'T HAVE TO BE IN AN OFFICE.

THEY CAN BE ANYWHERE, AN EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK TO WHERE THEY TALK AND SAY, THIS ISN'T NORMAL, IS IT?

WELL, YEAH, IT IS.

PEOPLE LEARN FROM LISTENING TO OTHER PARENTS.

THOSE ARE TWO THINGS WE COULD DO DIFFERENTLY.

>> WHY ISN'T PARENT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT A GREATER PART OF OUR SCHOOL CURRICULUM?

>> BOY, I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'M AN EXPERT ON THAT PARTICULAR AREA.

I DO KNOW THIS THAT UNFORTUNATELY A VERY, VERY HARDWORKING TEACHER SEES THE BRUNT OF WHEN WE DON'T HAVE CHILDREN DEVELOP HEALTHY AND READY TO LEARN.

OUR NATIONAL EDUCATION GOAL, NUMBER ONE OF THE 1996 EDUCATION ACT, WAS TO HAVE A CHILD GO TO SCHOOL RIGHT TO LEARN.

I'M NOT SURE WE'RE ACCOMPLISHING THAT.

>> YOU CAN'T IF YOU'RE HUNGRY OR HURT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU SAID SOMETHING EARLIER IN THE SHOW THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT.

CHILD NEGLECT ACTUALLY REPRESENTS 63 TO 64% OF ALL THE MALTREATMENT OF A CHILD IN THE NATION.

THAT'S BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT OVER AT LEAST THE LAST 10 YEARS.

NEGLECT OFTEN FINDS ITS ROOTS IN POVERTY.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE ON THAT ISSUE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE A STRONG NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY, NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE STRONG DOMESTIC POLICY, AS WELL.

STRONG POLICY THAT TALKS ABOUT THE VERY THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

>> POVERTY ISN'T NECESSARILY A DIRECT CAUSE OF CHILD ABUSE, ALTHOUGH -- AND WE HAVE A GRAPHIC ON THIS ONE, AS WELL -- IF YOU'RE IN A HOUSEHOLD THAT MAKES $15,000 OR LESS, WELL BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, THE CHILDREN IN THAT HOUSEHOLD ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS, SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE A VICTIM OF NEGLECT.

AND NEGLECT DOES NOT NECESSARILY -- I THINK NEGLECT IS A NEBULOUS TERM A LITTLE BIT, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY ARE STARVED OR NO ONE SPEAKS TO THEM AT ALL.

BUT THERE ARE AGREE DEGREES OF NEGLECT.

THEY CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT CHILD'S BRAIN.

>> I'M GLAD YOU MADE THAT POINT.

I WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE TO THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE A FAMILY IS POOR THEY CAN'T GROW UP I A HEALTHY NURTURING ENVIRONMENT.

MY DAD DIED WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG AND WE WERE NOT THE RICHEST PEOPLE ON OUR BLOCK.

I LIKE TO ARGUE THAT I TURNED OUT SEMI OKAY.

BUT YOUR POINT EXACTLY.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF NEGLECT.

AND I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WAS EVEN NOTED IN THAT INCIDENCE STUDY THAT THE STATES DEFINE NEGLECT JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

I THINK THERE'S SOME ARGUMENT ABOUT HOW CAN YOU MEASURE SOMETHING WHEN YOU'RE DEFINING IT IN YOUR STATUTES A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

SO THAT'S A TOUGH CALL AND I'M NOT SURE HOW I CAN BE VERY HELPFUL ON THAT ONE.

>> SOMEBODY PROBABLY CAN AT THE IDAHO CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND.

WE HAVE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, WAVE LINK TO THE IDAHO CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL AS A LINK TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA.

AND MORE INFORMATION.

WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME, SIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GO TO THE IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION WEBSITE AND CLICK ON "DIALOGUE" FOR MORE INFORMATION.

YOU CAN FIND US ON FACEBOOK, SEARCH FOR "DIALOGUE" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION AND BACK FAN.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON "DIALOGUE."

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