Masks. Social distancing. School closures. COVID was a stressful and confusing time for all, but did the pandemic leave long lasting effects on the development of children who were living through it? Dr. Dani Dumitriu, a pediatrician, neuroscientist, pediatric environmental health scientist, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University, joins us to talk about the latest research on how COVID affected children and families from a developmental and relational health perspective, and what we've learned about how to mitigate the effects of a similar upheaval on children in the future.

Melissa Jonson-Reid, Director at the Center for Innovation in Child Maltreatment Policy, Research and Training at Washington University, joins us to share how home visitors can embrace their role in supporting families, building on strengths, and fostering safe, nurturing environments that promote child and family well-being—both during Child Abuse Prevention Month and throughout the year.

We feel good taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature, and research shows that exposure to nature can lower stress, boost attention, and improve engagement - especially in children. Jennifer Smith-Simms, Public Programs Manager at the Missouri Botanical Garden, joins us to talk about how any interaction with nature – big or small – can be therapeutic no matter how old we are, and she shares easy ways home visitors can incorporate nature into our work and everyday lives.

Parents as Teachers exists to support parents as they raise children who are healthy, safe, and learning. So, what does that look like when families are involved in the Child Welfare System? Sondra Horowitz, Senior Director of Quality Improvement at Parents as Teachers National Center, joins us to talk about how parent educators should think of their roles in Child Welfare situations, how they can cultivate collaboration with others in the child welfare ecosystem, how to support families as they work toward reunification, and how they can practice self-care throughout the partnership.

Working as a home visitor with families in the Child Welfare System can be uniquely challenging and rewarding. Mia Dadiz-Gaspar, a Lead Parent Educator at Maui Family Support Services, joins us to share her personal experience in Wailuku, Hawaii.

Everyone at Parents as Teachers has a story, so how can we tell it so people will listen? At the National Center, we're often fielding requests from the media, brainstorming how to share stories effectively, and strategizing about the best channels for amplifying the partnerships between families and parent educators. Jen Peters, a communications strategist with over a decade of experience supporting initiatives across education, technology, and public health, and Kerry Caverly, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer for the Parents as Teachers National Center, join us to talk about the different ways that parent educators and Parents as Teachers affiliates can share stories about the work they do, and why storytelling matters.

By bringing together a unique and comprehensive portfolio of evidence-based programs (including Parents as Teachers), Imprints Cares in Winston-Salem, NC addresses the developing social, behavioral, and academic needs of children while also studying the impact of these efforts on families. Dr. Anna Miller-Fitzwater and Maria Stockton join us to talk about Imprints Cares, its affiliation with Parents as Teachers, and the research behind what makes this carefully integrated program work so well.