A Flourishing Start: The ABCs of Child & Family Well-being

A Flourishing Start Podcast
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

It seems like everyone is talking about mental health and well-being, but a unique group has been pushed aside for far too long: zero to five-year-olds and their families. Join A Flourishing Start Podcast, a guilt and shame-free online community, to be in conversation with other parents and to learn scientific and cultural-based information about early childhood mental health from professional experts. This is a community where you will finally feel like you belong; we laugh, we cry, and together, we learn how to build a flourishing start for our youngest humans.

  1. 03/27/2025

    Doulas: A Lifeline for Expectant and New Parents

    In this episode, our guests discuss the role of doulas in maternal and family health, sharing personal experiences and insights into the challenges faced by young parents, particularly those from at-risk communities. Additionally, our host Esme and guests Tamar Sebesta and Amy Chen explore the importance of doula services, including the Medi-Cal doula benefit, the barriers to accessing these services, and the need for better education and resources within the healthcare system. Tamar Sebesta, a guest on this episode became a teen mom at 15. She had no idea what to expect when she enrolled in college as the first in her family to pursue a degree. All she knew was that she needed to change the trajectory of her life. Often feeling isolated and misunderstood by the challenges she faced, she found solace in storytelling. Tamar is passionate about advocacy, she is a public speaker, writer, and podcaster. She uses her voice to uplift others, helping them realize that they too can pursue their dreams. Our next guest speaker Amy Chen is a Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program (NHelp), where she works on sexual and reproductive rights. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy in healthcare and the importance of community support among parents. Please note: In this episode, the speakers may reference laws and legal information. This does not constitute legal advice. Chapters: Introduction to Doulas and Personal Stories Understanding Doula Services and Their Importance Cultural Perspectives and Historical Context of Doulas Challenges in Maternal Health and the Role of Doulas Navigating the Healthcare System as a Young Parent Accessing Doula Services and Overcoming Barriers The Impact of Doulas on Maternal Health Building Trust in Healthcare: The Role of Doulas Breaking Taboos: Honest Conversations About Parenting Resources: NHeLP's Doula Medicaid Project: https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/ Dept of Health Care Services Doula Services page: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/Doula-Services.aspx Dept of Health Care Services Doula Directory (partway down the page): https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/Doula-Services-Members.aspxMedi-Cal Birthworker Resource Hub: https://medi-calbirthworker.com/

    47 min

  2. 03/13/2025

    Federal Advocacy 101 for Parents & Caregivers

    This conversation explores the multifaceted nature of advocacy, and how parents and caregivers can get involved. This episode features three amazing guest speakers. Sonja Tonnesen-Casalegno, Esq. is a social justice attorney, innovator, child of activists, and parent to two amazing children. Klarissa Reynoso is the Senior Program and Policy Manager for the Youth Justice Team at the National Center for Youth Law. Lastly, Deyci Carrillo López is a proud product of Guanajuato, México and East Oakland, California; she is an author, abolitionist and poet. Our guests discuss their personal journeys, the structure of the federal government, and the importance of community engagement in driving policy. They share their experiences and insights on how individuals can influence policy and create meaningful change, emphasizing the power of collective action and the role of mentorship in advocacy work. They also discuss the importance of community in healing, the undervaluation of caregiving, navigating fear in advocacy, and the significance of teaching children about social justice and political engagement. The speakers share actionable steps towards engagement in federal advocacy. Please note: In this episode, the speakers may reference laws and legal information. This does not constitute legal advice. Chapters: Understanding Federal Government Structure The Role of Federal Advocacy Personal Journeys into Advocacy Artivism: Merging Art and Advocacy Encouraging Community Engagement in Advocacy Tools for Effective Advocacy The Power of Community in Healing Engaging Children in Advocacy The Power of Youth Voices The Impact of Parental Advocacy Navigating Fear in Advocacy Taking Action: First Steps to Engagement Resources: Find your elected officials https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials  Sign up for newsletter with A Flourishing Start https://flourishingstart.squarespace.com/  YouTube video about how a bill becomes a law, how it must go through Congress, and how it can be vetoed, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ8psP4S6BQ  How is the US Federal Government structured? https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbc3wsg#z6qpkhv

    51 min

  3. 02/21/2025

    Navigating Parenthood - How parents of young children are helping others find the resources they need

    In this episode of A Flourishing Start podcast, the host and guests discuss the critical need for more resources, and support with resource navigation, for families with young children in California. Esmeralda is joined by Quijay and three parents of young children: Kat, Jryana, and Axel. Together, they dive into the  challenges of parenting, especially for those whose own experiences growing up were impacted by the foster care system. The conversation highlights the importance of creating accessible information and guidance to help parents find the support they need. As part of a collaborative effort between the National Center for Youth Law and California Youth Connection, these parents created brochures for expecting and parenting individuals across seven regions in California.  Throughout the episode, Kat, Jryana, and Axel discuss the motivation behind their project, call attention to the need for mental health resources, highlight systemic barriers that hinder access to needed services, and demonstrate their support for one another, and for parents navigating similar challenges. The conversation culminates in powerful messages of hope and encouragement for current and future parents. Highlights: Personal Experiences of Parenting and Resource Needs The Importance of Access to Information The Role of Mental Health in Parenting Navigating systems as a parent Types of Resources Included in Brochures Motivation Behind the Project The Importance of Community Support Personal Stories of Resilience Navigating Fatherhood Highlighting Supportive Programs for Parents Messages of Resilience and Persistence The Importance of Self-Care for Parents Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations Resources: https://calyouthconn.org/ https://youthlaw.org/  https://flourishingstart.squarespace.com/

    1h 19m

  4. 11/22/2024

    Housing Insecurity: The Hidden Reality of Many Families with Young Children

    Content warning: This episode includes discussion of topics such as childhood trauma, family separation, and personal experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness. These are important, and emotionally challenging, topics. If this doesn’t feel like the right content for you to engage with today, please skip this episode. This episode delves into the often-overlooked issue of homelessness among families with young children, highlighting the alarming statistics and personal stories that illustrate the impact of housing insecurity on families. Host Esmeralda Cortez Rosales engages with experts Chantelle Wilkinson and Mariah Corder to dispel myths surrounding homelessness, discuss the role of the national Opportunity Starts at Home campaign, and ultimately call for a more integrated, robust approach to housing advocacy. Chantelle Wilkinson is the National Campaign Director for Opportunity Starts at Home. Through federal housing policies that expand resources and correct long-standing structural and racial inequities, Opportunity Starts at Home works to ensure that people with the lowest incomes can afford a good home, which adds to their quality of life through better health, greater educational attainment, and stronger earnings. Mariah Corder is a California resident and mother of two young children 5 years old and younger. She also serves as California Youth Connection’s Bay Area Advocacy Coordinator where she brings experience in community organizing, youth engagement, and an infectious energy that can inspire a nation. In this conversation, Chantelle and Mariah discuss the interconnected topics of youth advocacy, housing insecurity, and the importance of community support. They highlight the challenges faced by young people, particularly those impacted by the foster care and juvenile justice systems, and the need for cross-sector collaboration to address these issues. The discussion emphasizes the importance of listening, advocacy, and practical steps that individuals can take to support families in need of stable housing. Chapters 00:12 The Hidden Crisis of Child Homelessness 03:59 Personal Stories of Housing Insecurity 07:29 Understanding Opportunity Starts at Home 13:23 Dispelling Myths About Families Experiencing Homelessness 17:50 The Importance of Multi-Sector Advocacy 25:30 School-to-Homelessness Pipeline 31:32 Building Community: Breaking Silos in Advocacy 39:24 Taking Action: Practical Steps for Advocacy 45:00 The Power of Listening: Personal Stories of Support Resources: https://www.opportunityhome.org/https://schoolhouseconnection.org/wp-... https://imprintnews.org/youth-voice/f...

    48 min
  5. ABCs, 1-2-3s, and Big Feelings: Why Social-Emotional Learning in Critical in Early Education

    11/07/2024

    ABCs, 1-2-3s, and Big Feelings: Why Social-Emotional Learning in Critical in Early Education

    This podcast episode explores the significance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in early childhood education. Host Esmeralda Cortez Rosales engages with experts Pam Cajucom and Lolade Gbadebo to discuss the importance of SEL, its impact on children's development, and practical strategies for parents and educators to incorporate SEL in daily interactions with children.  Pam is a School Health Education Consultant charged with leading Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health, at  the California Department of Education’s Office of School-Based Health Program in the Whole Child Division. Prior to taking on this role in October 2023, Pam gained over 20 years' experience implementing and coordinating student support centers serving the behavioral health needs of students and families. She received her master’s degree in clinical psychology (with a marriage/family/child emphasis) from Pepperdine University, her School Counseling Degree at CSU Sacramento, and holds a Pupil Personnel Services credential. Lolade is a mother to a 5-year-old child who recently started kindergarten. Lolade also plays a crucial role in the community, serving as a children’s librarian. Her library directly serves two elementary schools.  The conversation highlights the role of emotional intelligence, the necessity of preparing children for transitions, and the value of building connections through shared experiences. The episode concludes with Lolade sharing book recommendations that can aid in teaching SEL concepts to young children. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) 02:33 The Importance and Impact of SEL 07:56 Preparing Children for Transitions: A Parent's Perspective 13:31 Implementing SEL in Early Childhood Education 19:51 Real-Life Applications of SEL in Schools 26:37 Building Connections Through SEL 32:59 Practical Tips for Parents 36:23 Book Recommendations from Lolade Resources:  -Providing Mental Health Education to Students is Critical and Achievable (Issue Brief)  -https://toolboxproject.com/  -SEL book recommendations:  One Upside-Downy Day The Crayons’ Book of Feelings Breathe Like a Bear After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) Ally All Along The Color Monster

    41 min

  6. 09/13/2024

    Leadership, Advocacy, & Motherhood: Exploring Family Leave Policies with Jocelyn Yow

    We’re hard at work creating Season 3 of A Flourishing Start. In the meantime, we’re excited to share this second BONUS episode with you! In this conversation, Gillian Katz Lamon and Jocelyn Yow discuss family leave programs and their importance. Meet Jocelyn Yow, a Council Member for the City of Eastvale, youth and family advocate, a mom, and most recently, children's book author. Meet our guest interviewer, Gillian Katz Lamon, a 2024 summer law clerk with the National Center for Youth Law, who is currently in her final year of law school.  Jocelyn shares her motivation for getting into local politics and public service at a young age. She also discusses the process of implementing a paid family leave program in the City of Eastvale, including the opposition faced and the role of male allies. Jocelyn highlights the flaws in the current system and the impact on marginalized communities. Jocelyn weaves in her experience as a mother and a politician, highlighting the need for a cultural shift in how families and children are prioritized in society. Jocelyn also talks about her work at IGNITE National, training young women to run for office and be civically engaged. She emphasizes the importance of starting conversations about politics and civic engagement at a young age. Jocelyn concludes by discussing her recently published children's book, Voting with Mommy, which aims to inspire families to talk about the importance of voting and being involved in the community. Highlights Introduction and Overview of Paid Family Leave Jocelyn's Motivation for Getting into Local Politics Including Paid Family Leave as a Policy Priority Implementing a Paid Family Leave Program in Eastvale Addressing Opposition and the Role of Male Allies Flaws in the current Family Leave Policies Paid Family Leave and Income Gaps The Impact of Motherhood on Work and Advocacy The Growing Gap in Political Ideology Writing Voting with Mommy and Inspiring Civic Engagement

    51 min

  7. 09/06/2024 ·  Bonus

    The Power of Youth Advocacy

    We’re hard at work creating Season 3 of A Flourishing Start. In the meantime, we’re excited to share this BONUS episode with you! In this conversation, Dana, Fiona, and Esme explore what it means to be a youth advocate, the different ways a young person can engage in advocacy, how advocacy experiences differ as a youth versus as an adult, and how adults can support youth advocates. They discuss their experiences with youth commissions, challenges they have faced in their advocacy work, the importance of redefining what qualifies as experience in the professional world, and how they are each using advocacy to create a more inclusive and equitable world in which young people can thrive. Esmeralda Cortez Rosales is a Community Policy Associate at the National Center for Youth Law and leads the organization's efforts to improve infant and early childhood mental health (or IECMH) for children zero to five years old across California. Esme works with parents, caregivers, community leaders, and advocates to develop and implement community-based work that centers children and families.  Fiona Lu is a second-year student at University of California, Los Angeles studying Public Affairs and Labor Studies. Fiona has been a youth advocate since high school, where she led K-12 education policy work in Generation Up (GENup), a youth-led organization dedicated to educational equity. Now, Fiona co-leads a youth advocacy movement called What We All Deserve, which propels young people to engage in policymaking for basic needs access and economic justice. She’s passionate about bettering the lives for children and families in California and across the nation through equity-centered policymaking.  Dana Paycao, who facilitates this conversation, is Senior Policy Coordinator at the National Center for Youth Law. Dana’s role includes partnering with young people to advance policies impacting youth mental health. Highlights: Defining Advocacy Youth Commissions Navigating an Adult-Led System Tokenization and Genuine Youth Inclusion Supporting and Listening to Youth Advocates Building Relationships and Unity Compensation and Immediate Needs The Role of Adult Allies Challenges Faced by Young Advocates Redefining Experience Resources: www.youthlaw.org The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) works to center youth voices to transform child serving systems, such as education, health, and the justice system, to reach a world in which every child thrives. www.whatwealldeserve.carrd.co What We All Deserve is a youth-led movement to expand basic needs, the social safety net, and broader economic justice and liberation for a future in which everyone is able to fulfill their aspirations. www.generationup.net GenerationUp (GENup) is a nationwide student-led social justice organization and coalition that advocates for education through community organizing and policy reform.  www.ignitenational.org Ignite National harnesses the political power of young women and non-binary people through community building, cultivating leadership skills, and celebrating ambitions. Interested in sharing your story or suggesting a topic? Reach out to us at health@youthlaw.org. We'd love to hear from you. This episode is brought to you by the National Center for Youth Law, with support from the Resilience Effect initiative by Genentech, a Roche Group member.

    52 min

  8. 06/11/2024

    Taking Action: Creating and participating in parent-friendly advocacy spaces

    In this episode, we will learn how advocacy plays a role in making California a better state for children and families. This episode will feature speakers from California Youth Connection (CYC), a youth-led organization that has established a unique model of youth empowerment through sophisticated policy advocacy, including working with a cohort of young parents.  Chris and Jay will share their expertise on self-empowerment, advocacy and why it is crucial for families to share their perspectives and have a voice in shaping the policies that impact them.  Highlights: 2:38-What is CYC? 29:42- Tips for parents pursuing advocacy 40:44- Experiencing postpartum in the system 50:10- Should you get involved in advocacy? Connect with California Youth Connection (CYC) today at www.calyouthconn.org. CYC welcomes volunteers, donors and youth who are impacted by the foster care system or the juvenile justice system in California. Don’t forget to follow their instagram @calyouthconn. If you would like to contact our guest speakers or get involved with CYC please fill out this form here: www.calyouthconn.org/get-involved/contact-us/  Interested in sharing your parenthood story or suggesting a topic? Reach out to us at health@youthlaw.org. We'd love to hear from you. This episode is brought to you by the National Center for Youth Law, with support from the Resilience Effect initiative by Genentech, a Roche Group member.

    53 min
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It seems like everyone is talking about mental health and well-being, but a unique group has been pushed aside for far too long: zero to five-year-olds and their families. Join A Flourishing Start Podcast, a guilt and shame-free online community, to be in conversation with other parents and to learn scientific and cultural-based information about early childhood mental health from professional experts. This is a community where you will finally feel like you belong; we laugh, we cry, and together, we learn how to build a flourishing start for our youngest humans.

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