We knew we had a problem on our hands. A group of us — parents, pediatricians, nonprofit leaders, and donors — had come together to discuss the role of strong and nurturing relationships between parents and babies in healthy childhood development. But it quickly became clear that some of the language medical professionals use to describe what’s known as “early relational health” did not resonate with, and in some cases even alienated, the people and communities the group hoped to support.

The gathering was part of a project launched early last year — the Early Relational Health Coordinating Hub at the Center for the Study of Social Policy — to ensure pediatricians and other medical professionals who work with parents understand and support healthy parent-baby relationships. The participants, including parents who were leaders in their communities, were tasked with developing training tools and resources on how to notice and encourage these positive emotional connections.

But soon after the process began, the parents at the table, including Mia Halthon, co-author of this op-ed, spoke up to share feedback from families in their community networks. Many, they said, objected to the standard clinical use of the words “safe” and “stable” to describe the strength of the connection needed between babies and their parents to develop emotional well-being. Those words, they felt, implied external observation and judgment. They suggested replacing them with “positive” and “strong” to underline the power within each family to nurture parent-child connections regardless of outside support.

After much discussion, a decision was made to replace the old language with the terminology preferred by the parents — a small but critical change in how the issue is communicated and one that would not have happened without the active participation of those most affected by this work.

While home with COVID-19 during December, I watched nearly every movie made about the 2008 housing crisis: Boiler Room, Wall Street, Margin Call, Too Big to Fail, The Big Short, The Wolf of Wall Street. It was interesting looking back at the beginnings of that financial disaster now that we have lived through it. But what I found most interesting was that every movie espoused the same philosophies — greed and self-interest. And that’s not just my interpretation: Every movie actually had those words spoken by one or more characters.

Times have changed … sort of. The 2008 financial crisis, in which little people got hurt but those too big to fail didn’t, was only a precursor to what would become an even worse economic crisis in this country, caused not by corporate greed but by a virus. 

A lot of people got hurt, primarily those lowest on the economic scale in service and retail jobs. The government stepped in with myriad loans and stimulus payments, yet we are now hearing of rampant fraud and how some of that money was actually spent. Greed and self-interest?

So, I ask myself, what did we fail to learn? Or better yet, how can we take those lessons as leaders into our organizations? Here are several important lessons to consider:

Lesson 1. One of the critical mistakes Wall Street made prior to the housing crisis was to believe “housing never goes down.” They took their historic understandings of the market and assumed it would be business as usual. Of course, it wasn’t. They failed to consider threats, unknowns, and possible risks when making corporate decisions. They never considered the fact that the housing market would collapse.

Episode 37: Join Bryan Orander for a quick overview and guidance on how your organization can participate in the 2023 Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Survey in February and get the report in early June. Bryan shares why Charitable Advisors hosts the salary survey and answers a few common questions about the survey process and results. We want to thank this year’s Nonprofit Salary Survey co-sponsors — VonLehman CPA & Advisors, National Bank of Indianapolis, NFP/First Person and Indy Collaboration on Neighborhoods. Contact Julie to share contact information for the person who will take the survey for your organization. Listen

Who will complete the 2023 Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Survey at your organization? On Jan. 30, Charitable Advisors will open the seventh edition of the Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Survey. For completing the survey, your organization will receive early access to the comprehensive report — cataloging 26 nonprofit positions — in June instead of waiting until the traditional release date in September. Check first to see if your nonprofit has already provided us with a contact person.  If not, please use this form to notify us of the contact person at your organization who is responsible for completing the survey 

Indiana Minority Business Magazine has honored 15 awardees at the 16th annual Champions of Diversity Awards. Awardees include individuals and organizations that have shown a commitment to diversity in Indiana and have made an effort to impact the state’s minority communities. See recipients   

Lilly Endowment has launched a $45 million initiative for youth in Indiana. The Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana initiative will support organizations in expanding and enhancing programs to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people. While the initiative is expansive, it will focus on youth from low-income households, communities of color, and immigrant families as well as those have been exposed to trauma or other adverse childhood experiences.

Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded Horizon House a $1.7 million three-year grant to expand facilities and hire additional staff. The gift was among $41 million in grants issued to various organizations and community centers that serve people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and hunger. Read more

Foster Success has recently raised nearly $63,000 as part of its annual FriendsGiving event in 2022. The record amount, which included matching funds, is up more than 42 percent from the prior year’s campaign, and nearly 57 percent above the organization’s goal. The funds will be used to support the organization’s efforts to assist teens and young adults transitioning out of Indiana’s foster care system.

The Elevation Grant Program, previously known as the Violent Crime Prevention Grant Program, is accepting applications until March 3. A partnership between the City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Foundation, the program will invest $45 million in neighborhoods over the next three years to address the root causes of violent crime. Learn more and apply

United Way of Central Indiana is recruiting volunteers and projects for its third Go All IN Day, an organized day of community service across the region. This year’s event will be held June 23 throughout United Way’s service areas of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, and Putnam counties. Nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and community groups interested in hosting a project can learn more and register. Organizations with an annual operating budget of $1 million or less are eligible to apply for grants to fund their projects.  

Purple Ink Toxic workplaces on the JoyPowered Workspace podcast

VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm Winter 2023 accounting standards update 

Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.

Executive Director - Indiana Optometric Association