August Newsletter: The Beauty in Humanity

August 2026 Newsletter

The Beauty in Humanity

by Claire Louge, Executive Director

Very recently, I got overwhelmed by the beauty in humanity.

I was sitting at the front table in the huge ballroom at our Child Abuse Prevention Conference, watching a video our closing keynote speaker, John Noltner, had created just the night before. It was a video of dozens of striking portraits he had taken of our conference participants, paired with their statements answering the question: what calls you to this work?

As I watched, I took big gulps from my water glass to keep myself from sobbing too loudly.

I was so moved by the beauty of purpose. The beauty in humanity.

IMPACT

CAP Re-CAP: 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Conference Reignites Purpose for 1,000 Professionals

Nearly 1,000 participants came together for the 32nd annual Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Conference July 21-22. Across more than 80 workshop sessions and four powerful keynote presentations, attendees dove deep into this year's theme: Prevention on Purpose.

Purpose. A word that shows up on vision boards, but so often, people have a hard time grasping it for themselves. That wasn't the case at CAP. This conference breathed purpose, because our community itself breathes purpose. Purpose showed up in every session, every hallway conversation, and every presentation at CAP. Purpose is a reminder that prevention isn't accidental. It takes deliberate action, sustained investment, and communities choosing, again and again, to show up for children and families. Prevention requires us to show up on purpose.

ADVOCACY

Federal Update:

LGBTQIA2S+ Foster Care Placement Rule Rescinded

On July 14, 2026, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) finalized a rule removing 2024 federal requirements that directed child welfare agencies to ensure LGBTQIA2S+ foster youth have access to a "Designated Placement," intended to honor and support their identity. The 2024 rule had already been struck down by a federal court in 2025 and was never implemented; this action formally removed it from federal regulations. The rescission drew mixed public comment, and no replacement policy has been proposed.

Regardless of what happens at the federal level, every child deserves to be safe and supported without exception. Caregivers and professionals looking for practical, research-based guidance can find helpful background information about LGBTQIA2S+ children in foster care from Casey Family Programs at the link below.

Safety Considerations for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth in Care

Learn More About the Rule Change

TODAY IN PREVENTION

How Hip Hop Is Helping Families Heal
Before Crisis Happens

Trusted relationships can mean the difference between a family in crisis and a family that reaches out for help. William Feggins and Camille Sledge use hip hop culture — music, dance, visual art, mentorship, and business education — to engage youth and families in ways traditional systems often miss, creating space to feel seen, supported, and connected.

In their podcast, William and Camille share how their own experiences with child welfare shape their work today, and explore a key question: What kinds of spaces help families feel safe enough to ask for help before a crisis happens?

Catch more from William and Camille of The School of Hip Hop on Community In-site on your favorite podcast platform below.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Watch on YouTube

Thank you to the following sponsors

for making the 2026 CAP Conference possible!

As a 501(c)3 organization, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is eligible to receive bequests. Please contact Molly Peterson at molly@pcaaz.org if you would like to discuss including Prevent Child Abuse Arizona in your legacy.

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona can only accept donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations located in the State of Arizona.

Tax ID #86-0832901

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is dedicated to strengthening families and protecting children through collaboration, education, and advocacy. The organization provides research-based prevention services, education and training to help promote strong families and safe, healthy children. For more information, visit pcaaz.org.