Dr. Julie Gallanty, CEO of the NJ YMCA State Alliance, discusses the history of the YMCA, all that YMCA's offer, and how they have become an incredible community.

Learn more about the NJ YMCA State Alliance below!
NJ YMCA State Alliance - https://www.njymca.org/

VIDEO OUTLINE

00:00 - Intro & What led Dr. Gallanty to the YMCA?
00:55 - What’s the YMCA’s mission and what’s the NJ YMCA State Alliance?
02:26 - YMCA Offerings & How the YMCA helps children
06:31 - How the YMCA remedies the current mental health crisis in Kids
08:17 - Model UN and how it gives children invaluable life skills
12:51 - What it’s like working at the YMCA & Qualities of Staff
14:19 - Urban YMCA’s vs Rural YMCA’s
15:49 - What Parents should know about the YMCA
18:21 - How is the YMCA funded?
19:51 - Helping Children navigate their “Big Feelings”
23:47 - YMCA Community Assistance for illnesses like Parkinson's and Cancer
27:19 - YMCA State Alliance Partnerships with Other Organizations
29:23 - Volunteering at the YMCA + Other YMCA Offerings such as Housing
31:55 - The History of the YMCA and YWCA
35:51 - What has the government’s impact been on low income YMCA community members?

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Andrea Breitwieser, Assistant Director of the NJ Division of Family Development, Office of Child Care, explains the purpose of New Jersey Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

Learn more about Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies below!

CCR&R Official Website - https://www.childcarenj.gov/CCRR

Grow NJ Kids Official Website - https://www.childcarenj.gov/GrowNJKids

VIDEO OUTLINE

00:00 - Intro & How did Andrea end up at the Department of Human Services?

03:15 - What are NJ Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R)?

07:15 - What are “Family, Friend or Neighbor” or “Family Child Care Provider” designations?

10:03 - What is Grow NJ Kids?

11:23 - What if I cannot afford these programs? What if I move counties?

15:31 - CCR&R Programs for older children

17:19 - What if I decide to become a Family Child Care Provider?

18:40 - CCR&R resources - From Professional Support to Parent Cafes

21:47 - CCR&R support for Family Child Care Providers?

26:11 - How many CCR&R Agencies are there in NJ?

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Ebony Grace, CEO of New Jersey’s Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Professional Network (NJSACC), explores what makes afterschool learning so special and impactful for the next generation of children. She explains how her organization operates in terms of education, safety, finances, and how it serves such a diverse population of kids across New Jersey.

Learn more about NJSACC below!

NJSACC Official Website - https://www.njsacc.org/

OUTLINE

00:00 - Who Ebony is and how she ended up at NJSACC

02:34 - What is NJSACC? Who do they serve and how does it work?

07:13 - The purpose of Afterschool Care and examples of NJSACC supported programs

13:19 - Who runs NJSACC Afterschool Programs? How are they funded?

15:38 - Where and when are these Afterschool programs held? Transporting kids?

19:03 - What is the background of NJSACC Staff? How do they find staff?

24:18 - How does NJSACC help programs help kids navigate modern problems?

27:52 - NJSACC Resource Management and Funding + Nationwide Afterschool Care

33:05 - What are the biggest struggles for NJSACC?

38:21 - Where do parents begin when looking for Afterschool Programs?

39:19 - Have Afterschool Programs become more safety conscious? + Costs of Childcare

44:55 - What more does Ebony hope to accomplish in the future at NJSACC?

49:49 - Volunteering at NJSACC

53:25 - Outro

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Shavonda E. Sumter, former Assemblywoman and CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services, discusses her transition from government to CEO of a nonprofit organization and exposes what she feels nonprofits could improve upon when it comes to communicating with Legislators. She also explains how CAFSNJ collaborates with other organizations like NJ4S to combat the rising anxiety and depression in teens.

Learn more about Children’s Aid and Family Services below!

• Children’s Aid and Family Services - https://www.cafsnj.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Childrens.Aid.And.Family.Services
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChildrensAidFamServ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafsnj/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/children's-aid-and-family-services/

VIDEO OUTLINE

00:00 - Shavonda’s story - How did she end up at CAFSNJ?

05:40 - How does CAFSNJ serve various members of the diverse Paterson NJ community?

12:07 - How to get help from CAFSNJ? Contact and Website

12:47 - CAFSNJ partnerships with ACNJ & NJ4S + Non-profit purpose & promotion

25:06 - Children’s Mental Health - Why the Rise in Youth Anxiety?

31:14 - How can Non-Profits better communicate with Legislators?

47:15 - Why is Shavonda currently focused on high-need populations?

50:51 - Why do more Youths need therapy now and how does NJ4S help?

59:02 - Shavonda’s 10 Year Wishlist & Outro

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Dr. Maurice Elias, Rutgers Psychology Professor and Director of the Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab, explains how teachers and administrators can positively enhance their school environment and educational methods in order to engage students, improve their mental health, and set them up for success rather than contributors to the rising rate of absenteeism.

Learn more about Dr. Elias and his book below!

Reinvigorating Classroom Climate by Maurice Elias - https://shorturl.at/vJUgA

Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab - https://www.secdlab.org/

Social Emotional Learning Alliance for New Jersey - https://sel4nj.org/

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Nicole McGrath-Barnes DDS FACD, Founder and CEO of KinderSmile Foundation, discusses why dental care for babies and young children is more critical than most parents realize—and why the system is failing them. She shares the story behind building KinderSmile, how the foundation operates, and why its model deserves to be adopted more widely. The conversation digs into the overlooked connection between oral health and whole-body health, the financial and social repercussions of untreated dental disease in kids, and the crisis of chronic absenteeism linked to tooth pain. She also covers practical tips for parents, student loan forgiveness for dentists, and her 10-year wishlist for transforming children's dental care in America.

Learn more about KinderSmile Foundation below!

KinderSmile Foundation - https://www.kindersmile.org/

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ

Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, explains the purposes and services provided by modern Food Banks in America, as well as the current state of SNAP Benefits, child nutrition programs, and Food Insecurity / Hunger in New Jersey and across the country.

Learn more about the Community FoodBank of NJ below!

https://cfbnj.org/ - Community FoodBank of NJ

https://cfbnj.org/find-foods-services/ - Find Food Services through CFBNJ

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Thank you so much for watching. See below for more information on Let’s Talk Kids and ACNJ.

SOCIAL & WEB LINKS

LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) Official Website - acnj.org

• ACNJ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acnjforkids/
• ACNJ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocates-for-children-of-new-jersey/
• ACNJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ACNJforKids/

PODCAST LINKS

• LTK Linktree - linktr.ee/ltkacnj

CONTACTS

• mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let’s Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ
• vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Editor of Let’s Talk Kids | Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ