The Monument
Community First 5 Center
Program Spotlight: Forum
Addresses Effects of Immigration Raids on Children
Nearly
100 parents attended a forum last month to discuss the effects
of immigration raids on young children and to strategize ways to
help families cope. The forum was coordinated by the Monument
Community First 5 Center in partnership with the parenting radio
program Nuestros Niños, Telemundo, and the American
Psychological Association (APA).
“Many families
served by the agency have been personally affected; resulting in
their children feeling less secure, routines being interrupted,
and in many instances, parents becoming more isolated and afraid
to leave their homes,” said Ruth Rodriguez, the director of the
Monument Community First 5 Center. “When a young child
experiences a sudden and traumatic separation from a parent, it
can be devastating, and the effects of such a separation on the
family can hinder a child’s healthy development.”
The first half of
the event included a taping of Nuestros Niños, hosted by Dr.
Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne, which aired October 4. Guests included
Ruth Rodriguez, four local families who have been affected by
the raids, local psychologist Alejandrina Estrada, Ph.D., and
immigration attorney Maria Rivera. Julia Silva, director of
APA’s national early violence prevention initiative, provided
information on ways families can cope and how local
organizations such as the First 5 Center can assist them.
The radio program
was followed by a panel discussion with Ruth Rodriguez, Catholic
Charities immigration specialist Carla Median, mental health
specialist Gail Gordon, and parent leader Elva Cruz. The
panelists took questions from participants, including from one
man whose wife had been deported the previous week, leaving him
to raise their three daughters. After telling his story, 20
fathers in attendance stood up and volunteered to reach out and
support this family.
The panelists
discussed the importance of creating a plan to keep children
safe in the event that deportation does occur. Parents were
encouraged to gather important information in one place, such as
children’s health records, and to designate in writing who
should care for their children.
“The First 5 Center
is here to help and support the families in our community,” said
Rodriguez. “We want to encourage parents to focus on what they
can do to prepare so that their children are as safe and secure
as possible.”
The radio program
aired last Sunday but is available for download at
www.nuestrosninos.com.
To learn more about the Monument Community First 5 Center,
please visit
www.firstfivecc.org.
