Interview on the Alaska Landmine
This week, ACT President & CEO Trevor Storrs sat down with the Alaska Landmine’s Jeff Landfield for a discussion following a recent legislative interaction that put ACT in the news. While presenting to the House Judiciary Committee on childhood adversities, Trevor was asked a question by Representative David Eastman that garnered both state and national attention. Instead, Trevor calls on Alaskans, including our elected officials, to keep the spotlight on children, families, and communities and what we can do to help them thrive.
In this video, Jeff and Trevor speak on the impacts of toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences, why upstream prevention yields the most return on investment for the state and for our kids, and the important role of parents and communities in raising children and young people. They speak to policy solutions that strengthen the resources, tools, skills, and supports for children, youth, and families, including healthcare coverage for new mothers, access to child care, and paid parental leave. Trevor also calls on everyday Alaskans:
“People have been asking us, after Representative Eastman, what can we be doing? It’s not about what can we do about Eastman, it’s more of what we can do for our community. How do you volunteer to give back? How do you give kids in your life that kind of support? Be a mentor. Be a coach. Look at your profession, maybe you have some time to be a substitute teacher? How can you be a safe haven for your kids’ friends? There are always things that we can be doing as a community on top of what we can be doing as a legislature or government.”
When it comes to preventing child abuse and neglect, it takes all of us. There are so many ways that you can help in your everyday life -- and we’ve outlined them here for you to share.
There are also impactful ways that you can specifically support ACT’s advocacy efforts. We believe that systems and laws either prevent or perpetuate child abuse and neglect. When you support our advocacy work by making a donation, you help ensure there continues to be a strong, effective voice in Juneau and D.C. on behalf of Alaska’s kids.