Committee for Children

Happy International Day of Peace. 🌍✨

Today, we join the world in promoting peace and harmony. At Committee for Children, we created Second Step programs because we believe that social-emotional learning and development is a key component to building a peaceful future for our children. Developing life skills like empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation can empower students to become compassionate and well-rounded leaders.

Join us in fostering a culture of peace and belonging in our schools and communities.💙

In the aftermath of a tragedy like last week’s school shooting in Georgia, it’s vital to reflect on how we can work to create safer environments for our students. School safety and resiliency begins long before a crisis, and violence prevention programs focusing on social-emotional learning (SEL) play a crucial role in fostering supportive communities.

After the devastating shooting in June at Garfield High School in Seattle, Committee for Children’s vice president of education, research, and impact Tia Kim and other experts emphasized the impact of SEL in reducing violence in a The Seattle Times article (Source: seattletimes.com/education-lab/violence-prevention-programs-in-school-are-one-way-to-keep-kids-safe/). By teaching students critical skills—self-regulation, problem-solving, and clear communication—these programs help students navigate conflicts before they escalate into violence.

Starting SEL early equips students with the tools they need for a lifetime of conflict resolution and emotional resilience, creating a safer and more connected school climate.

Committee for Children remains dedicated to supporting and empowering schools with these efforts.

For more information about SEL and school safety, we created a scientifically backed one-pager highlighting the benefits of incorporating SEL programs to create a safe school environment for all. View it here: cfchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/policy-advocacy/sel-and-school-safety-one-pager.pdf

✨ Free Webinar! ✨

Join Second Step Programs and Panorama Education to discover how social-emotional learning (SEL) can shape positive school climates and help students thrive!
Students’ K–12 years are filled with academic pressures, social dynamics, and opportunities for personal growth. Research shows that developing SEL during these years is crucial for their success both in school and in life.

In this webinar, you’ll:
🔹 Explore why school climate matters and how it affects safety, community, and teaching and learning
🔹 Gain insights into the common hurdles schools encounter when tackling school climate and hear practical ways to overcome them
🔹 Learn how to use surveys and apply effective data practices to measure school climate in your schools

👉 Webinar Details:
Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Time: 12:00 p.m. Pacific time

You don’t want to miss it! Register at cfchildren.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uYWzK7jtRSKR9oUyYGN3Vg #/registration

Committee for Children reviewed decades of research and found that social-emotional learning (SEL) can help reduce the risk factors for youth su***de, offering a proactive way to prevent it (Source: bit.ly/4dwPeem).

SEL teaches essential skills like self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship building that can address critical risk factors like hopelessness, anxiety, and substance use.

Let's support our youth by fostering these competencies and creating a safer, more connected future.

Visit http://cfchildren.org to explore SEL resources for all ages and areas of life.

***dePreventionMonth

💻 New blog post alert!

Committee for Children leads the way in social-emotional learning, with research-based programs that undergo rigorous evaluation and enhancement to meet the highest standards and make a meaningful impact on students' lives.

In our latest blog post, “Research and Evidence: The Second Step® Difference,” we dive into how data and continuous improvement drive our mission to help students, educators, and communities thrive.

Curious about the impact of social-emotional learning? Explore the insights from our research team and learn more about why evidence-based practices matter.

Check out our full post at https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2024/08/research-and-evidence-the-second-step-difference/!

We’re looking for amazing educators who should be recognized as a 2024 Second Step Educator of the Year. Is it you?

Our Educator of the Year Awards honor champions whose outstanding efforts and commitment to social-emotional learning are making positive impacts on students and colleagues in their school or across their district.

Nominations accepted through September 15.

Share with deserving Second Step educators or tag them in the comments!

Special awards ceremony streams on Thursday, November 7.

Follow for updates.

Visit https://www.secondstep.org/eya24 to nominate now!

Committee for Children | Social-Emotional Learning Programs Committee for Children's mission is to ensure that children everywhere can thrive. Our social-emotional learning programs help millions of children succeed.

September is Su***de Prevention Month.

At Committee for Children, we’re committed to reducing youth su***de rates by providing social-emotional learning curricula that promote the development of social-emotional skills. These skills can address and mitigate key risk factors for youth su***de—such as hopelessness, anxiety, substance use, and child sexual abuse (Source: bit.ly/4fPK5zB).

When kids have strong social and emotional competencies like regulating their emotions under stress, communicating their wants and needs clearly, and persevering despite setbacks, they’re equipping themselves with the tools for future wellness to prevent serious behavioral health challenges before they begin (Source: bit.ly/4dCaoaT).

While social-emotional learning doesn’t replace the need for mental health interventions, it lays a strong foundation for long-term well-being.

Let’s continue to prioritize the mental wellness of our youth by equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.

***dePreventionMonth

💻 Sign up to be an advocate!

The first step to positively transforming the social-emotional well-being of 100 million children annually is staying informed.

Our team tracks bills and legislation on social-emotional learning, child bullying prevention, and child abuse prevention.

Sign up at https://www.cfchildren.org/sign-up-stay-informed/ to receive advocacy updates and opportunities to take action.

Together, we’ll help the world grow kinder. 💖

Happy Women's Equality Day to all the women who have paved the way and continue to inspire the women of tomorrow!

Your strength, courage, and determination are the foundation of a more equitable future. 💖💪

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Thank you, Committee for Children, for not only being a champion for , but also a Lead Level Sponsor at this year's ! CASEL recognizes and appreciates Committee for Children’s commitment to the safety and well-being of kids through SEL!

👉 Learn more about the SEL Exchange happening Nov. 12-14 in Chicago at https://selexchange.casel.org
👉 Learn more about Committee for Children here: https://www.cfchildren.org

Don’t miss the opportunity to obligate your ESSER funds by September 30, 2024! ESSER funds can support programs that teach life skills and improve school climate. Extensions may be acquired to spend funds through March 28, 2026, which would provide ample time to tailor SEL programs to your school’s needs.

We’re here to help you allocate these resources and invest in SEL programming to support your students and school community.

Learn more at https://go.secondstep.org/esser-funding.html!

Don’t wait!

Happy World Humanitarian Day! 🌍✨

Let's celebrate those who make a difference in our world every day, and let's help develop the humanitarians of tomorrow. Through social-emotional learning, kids are taught empathy, resilience, and communication skills, empowering them to become caring and compassionate individuals.

Together, we can nurture a brighter, kinder future! 🌟

🌟 Social-Emotional Learning in Action 🌟

In a recent Spectrum News 1 North Carolina TV story, newly graduated Union County Public Schools students share how their elementary school's focus on SEL using Second Step programs helped them develop essential life skills for life beyond graduation.

Fairview Elementary's Katie McCracken, one of our 2023 Second Step Educators of the Year, has been instrumental in equipping her students with skills like empathy, self-regulation, and effective communication.

Watch how these powerful skills are paving the way for success in the real world at https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/mountain/news/stories/2024/07/25/social-emotional-learning?cid=app_share

Social-emotional learning is helping students improve their lives

💡 Assess Students' Social-Emotional Skills 💡

Did you know that Committee for Children has collaborated with Aperture Education? We're excited to share DESSA-based assessments aligned with Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School. These tools help educators gauge students' social-emotional skills, optimize instruction, and enhance SEL curricula.

Schedule a consultation to discover how these new assessment tools can benefit your school at https://www.secondstep.org/student-assessment

At Committee for Children, we are committed to promoting the safety, well-being, and success of children. By working with educators, parents, policymakers, and partner organizations, we deliver research-based programs and advocate for public policies that help children thrive.

Join us in creating a brighter future for all children. Learn more on our website at https://www.cfchildren.org!

Discover how the power of words can shape a child's confidence and social-emotional growth. 🧠

In a recent article in The Charlotte Observer Dr. Tia Kim from Committee for Children and Katie McCracken, a North Carolina school counselor at Fairview Elementary (Union County Public Schools), share their expert insights on how positive affirmations can nurture resilience and a growth mindset in kids.

Learn more about these strategies and how to put them into practice at https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/wellness/article289849734.html

Words have power: Use positive affirmations to boost your child’s confidence Learn how to boost your child’s confidence and resilience with positive affirmations. This simple, daily practice can make a lasting impact on their well-being.

⭐ The Five Competencies of SEL ⭐

Many of us know the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL), but what does it actually entail?

CASEL’s five core competencies (Source: bit.ly/4d8EVfE) provide a comprehensive framework to define and cultivate essential skills:
🔹 Self-awareness
🔹 Self-management
🔹 Social awareness
🔹 Relationship skills
🔹 Responsible decision-making

Ready to incorporate SEL into your curriculum? Visit https://www.secondstep.org to get started!

Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Believe it or not, the social-emotional skills you begin learning as a child are highly valued by companies and employers. While technical skills needed for jobs adapt with the times, social-emotional skills are evergreen, regardless of your industry or role.

Which of the following skills do you use most at work?

🔹Empathy
🔹Emotion Management
🔹Emotion Recognition
🔹Problem-Solving
🔹Impulse Control
🔹Calming Down
🔹Communication
🔹Assertiveness

Let us know in the comments below!

This National Parents’ Day, we’re sharing how you can support your child’s social and emotional growth.

SEL assessments measure students’ social and emotional competence, including essential life skills that help them manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make good decisions. These skills are critical for academic engagement and performance, supporting students’ academic growth (Source: bit.ly/3zeL1N8).

SEL programs are designed to improve students’ social-emotional competency, but SEL doesn’t stop in the classroom! Parents can use this information to support their child’s growth at home, fostering consistency between school and home.

Here’s how you can nurture your child’s social-emotional skills at home:

👂 Listen Generously: Practice active listening and encourage open expression of feelings.
👩‍🏫 Model Desired Behavior: Show emotionally intelligent behavior and kindness.
🌟 Foster Self-Esteem: Give age-appropriate responsibilities and appreciate their efforts.
🎨 Respect Differences: Honor your child’s unique talents and avoid comparisons.

Happy, well-adjusted children can perform better and see limitations as opportunities. Read more: https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2024/05/the-role-of-parents-in-sel-assessment-supporting-your-childs-social-and-emotional-growth/