Summer Safety Starts With Us

Summer is here — and with it comes the joy of longer days, outdoor adventures, family road trips, and the well-earned exhale that comes when the school year finally winds down. For children across the 11th Judicial District, summer means freedom. And for those of us at Kindred Kids, it means something else too: a reminder that our work never takes a season off.

The truth is, summer changes the landscape of child safety in ways that are easy to overlook. Routines disappear. Supervision shifts. Children spend more time online, more time with extended family and family friends, and more time in less structured environments. And while the vast majority of those experiences are wonderful, the research is clear — when oversight decreases, vulnerability increases.

That is why what we do at Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center matters every single month of the year.

Our programs — forensic interviews, victim advocacy, and Victim Rights Act services — exist because children need a safe, neutral place to be heard when something has gone wrong. They exist because families need support navigating one of the most difficult experiences imaginable. And they exist because justice requires a coordinated, compassionate response that puts the child first.

None of that happens alone.

Our Multidisciplinary Team partners — law enforcement, prosecutors, child protective services, mental health providers, and medical professionals — are the backbone of every case we touch. When a child discloses abuse, it is the seamless collaboration of this team that ensures their voice is heard, their safety is protected, and their path to healing begins as quickly as possible. The CAC model works because every partner brings something irreplaceable to the table. We are stronger together than any one agency could ever be alone, and that partnership is not just a best practice — it is a lifeline for the children we serve.

As we head into summer, I want to ask every member of our community to be part of that circle of safety too. You do not have to be a mandated reporter or a first responder to make a difference. You just have to pay attention, trust your instincts, and know that Kindred Kids is here when something doesn't feel right.

With deep gratitude and purpose,

Lori Jenkins, MPA

Executive Director/Forensic Interviewer