One type of independent investigation that youth organizations have to face more often than other groups are allegations of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct, whether recent or long-ago. Entering this territory requires both compassion and unflinching objectivity. Understanding how these values work together—rather than against…
It seemed so far away: marriage, having family, reaching the “teen” years of time together. Then…poof! It’s there!! I thought people were making up the “time goes fast….” statement. That’s how life works. That’s how time runs. That’s how marriage goes–quickly. Beautifully and…
One of our kids got rejected from their dream college!! Receiving a rejection letter from a student’s preferred college or university can be disheartening. However, there may be many factors in a school's decision to accept or deny an applicant that actually has very little…
When serious allegations surface and you want an independent investigator with experience, it’s common to turn to attorneys and former law enforcement. As a former prosecutor and currently an attorney in private practice, I obviously think that instinct is a good one. But you need…
Yesterday was Groundhog Day, a holiday that, because of one of my favorite movies, has become forever linked with repeating the same day over and over. That’s a familiar sensation to parents. We get tired of repeating ourselves, but we want to try to help…
The decision to bring in an independent investigator represents a turning point for your organization. You're facing allegations of misconduct that require more than good intentions—they require expertise, objectivity, and an investigative process everyone can trust. …
The call comes during afternoon carpool pickup. A parent mentions—almost casually at first—that their daughter said something concerning about a counselor. Or you're reviewing incident reports and notice a pattern you can't ignore. Or an email lands in your inbox with "Urgent: Formal…
January is National Mentoring Month, and January 17 is International Mentoring Day. There’s no doubt that mentoring is an incredibly important resource for children who have suffered trauma, but it can be hard to distinguish good mentoring from predatory grooming. Those of us who parent…
A recent report out of Sacramento demonstrates how the absence of written documentation, particularly with mandated reports, can destroy careers, leave children vulnerable, and create institutional failures—even when everyone involved believes they followed proper procedures. The Investigation’s Conclusions Various staff and youth at a Sacramento…
“Poverty is not neglect.” It’s a theme that’s been repeated often in recent years, and a statement that’s undoubtedly true. But, as I argued almost two years ago in my Substack column, repeating it as a mantra can lead to bad outcomes in which children…
Creating child protection policies is a significant milestone for youth serving organizations (YSO). But writing effective policies is just the beginning. The real challenge—and the real opportunity—lies in ensuring your child protection policy remains a living, breathing part of your organizational culture rather…
A story from Southaven, Mississippi illustrates the importance of good training and policies in how to deal with a dilemma that youth organizations often face — when sexual activity between minors becomes a mandated reporting event. The district attorney…