Support Sunflower House’s Mission of Protecting Children

by Judith Rodman
President & CEO

Busses are about to be rolling out and children will be walking through school doors after more than two months away for summer break. As we get back into after school activities, it’s important that I highlight Sunflower House’s training programs so parents and caregivers are equipped with information on how to better support and protect children.

Our Mandated Reporter Training offers sessions once a month to teach people how to recognize, report and support a child who may be experiencing neglect or abuse. These sessions also go over what happens after a report and what services are offered, and the difference between poverty and neglect.

This training will also teach you how to look and evaluate the people around your children. When you’re taking your kids to practice or meeting for a new club they’re in, this training will help you evaluate the people your children are going to be around. You’ll learn the right questions to ask to vet the adults your children interact with, and you’ll also learn how to support children if abuse does happen.

Education is a powerful tool to help protect children from abuse. Seeing signs and knowing what to do from there is an important skill for adults to have. Though this is a training that goes over mandated reporting laws, you don’t have to be a mandated reporter to attend. Anyone who wants to be an advocate for children can attend and learn more about the process.

For Spanish speakers, we offer Como Reconocer y Reportar el Abuso Hacia Menores. This training is also to help audiences recognize and report child abuse. Attendees will also learn about circumstances and concerns relevant to the Hispanic populations.

We also offer a Keeping Kids Safe Online e-safety course for adults who want to learn about resources and increase their awareness about what is happening online that children have access to. Being online is a part of a child’s everyday life, so it’s important for parents and caregivers to learn about the possible dangers of the internet, tips and tools for safety, and the cybercrime reporting process.

As this school year gets started, take time to educate yourself about how to keep your child safe around others and online. Learning the process on how to recognize and report abuse empowers you to take action if you see a child in need. 

We offer many of these training sessions multiple times throughout the year. A calendar of events is below, so find a time that works best for you. Also, spread the word to your family, friends, church, neighborhood, and any other social network you have. The more advocates for children the better.

You don’t have to be a mandated reporter to educate yourself and advocate for your child and then children around you. Choose to take the time to learn how to protect children who may need someone to be there for them.

About Judith Rodman

Judith (Judi) Rodman is the President and CEO of Sunflower House, the Child Advocacy Center serving Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. Ms. Rodman has more than 25 years experience in community mental health, family services, therapeutic intervention with children and families, and nonprofit leadership. Ms. Rodman has extensive nonprofit experience in program development and evaluation, staff leadership, and managing state, federal, and private grants.  Read More.