Amplifying Voices in Children’s Wellbeing

Join a #ChildrensWellbeing Twitter Chat Wednesday, August 3 at 1pmEDT

“What do children need? They need to know, ‘I am lovable, I am safe, I can trust other people to meet my needs.’”

— Amelia Franck Meyer, Ashoka Fellow, founder of Anu Family Services

Supporting kids and their families in the early years is critical. Our future as a nation depends upon thriving kids who grow up with a strong sense of self, purpose, and belonging — building blocks of wellbeing that prepare them for healthy adulthood and changemaking in our communities. These building blocks of wellbeing are at the nexus of Ashoka’s latest effort with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

We invite you to join the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Ashoka Changemakers, and a panel of experts for a Twitter Chat about a collective vision for children’s wellbeing. We’ll discuss what children’s wellbeing means to you and what solutions are needed to spark collaboration across sectors to ensure that all children thrive.

Date: Wednesday, August 3, 1pm — 2pm EDT
Moderator: @changemakers
Co-Moderator: @RWJF_Live
Hashtag: #ChildrensWellbeing

Need more info on how to participate? — Scroll down!

Featured Expert Panel

Maisha E. Simmons

(@MZSimmons) — Senior Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Maisha Simmons, MPA, is a senior program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focusing on strengthening vulnerable children and families. She is responsible for coordinating a variety of programs working toward violence prevention and healthy equity, including Forward Promise, the Foundation’s $9.5 million initiative that aims to improve the health of middle school- and high school-aged boys and young men of color, as well as their opportunities for success in school, work and life. She holds an MPA from CUNY/Baruch College, School of Public Affairs, and master certificate in public administration from Kean University, and a BA from Douglass College, Rutgers University.

Dr. George Askew

(@DrGeorgeLAskew) — Ashoka Fellow, Founder of Docs for Tots, current Deputy Commissioner of Health at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

In June 2003, Ashoka Fellow and pediatrician George Askew founded Docs For Tots, an organization that has created a way for children’s doctors to actively promote policies and practices that will improve the health and development of infants and young children across the United States, taking the practice of medicine beyond clinic walls. Dr. Askew began Docs for Tots after feeling continually frustrated by factors beyond his clinical practice walls that had far greater impact on his patient’s wellbeing than anything he could “treat” in the office. These include: poverty, lack of access to social services, inadequate early care and education, unsafe environments, racism, and more. In addition to his innovative work as founder and CEO of Docs for Tots, Dr. Askew has also served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Administration for Children and Families within US Department of Health and Human Services, and now works as the Deputy Commissioner of Health for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Seth Green

(@YOUevanston) — Executive Director of Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.)

Seth Green is a non-profit leader with a passion for expanding opportunity and ending poverty. Since 2011, he has led Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.), a Chicagoland non-profit that annually supports over 1,500 youth in their academic, social, and emotional development. Prior to Y.O.U., Seth led the Job Opportunity Investment Network (JOIN), a social venture that moves vulnerable adults out of poverty and into long-term careers. He also founded Americans for Informed Democracy, an organization that empowers youth to tackle pressing social challenges through community-based action. Seth’s other work experience includes years as a consultant with McKinsey and Company, as well as short-term roles at the American Prospect, the Brookings Institution, and Lazard. A Marshall Scholar, Seth has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and Oxford, and a law degree from Yale.

Heather Bryant

(@momentousimpact) — Director of Innovation and Impact at Momentous Institute

Heather Bryant is the Director of Innovation and Impact for Momentous Institute. She has worked in the education field for 27 years. Heather graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and from the University of North Texas with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Momentous Institute, owned and operated by Salesmanship Club of Dallas, has been building and repairing social emotional health in children for over 95 years. The organization serves 6,000 children and family members each year through Therapeutic Services and Momentous School. Building on this direct work with kids and families, the organization invests in training and research, and shares strategies nationwide to reach far more children than could ever be served directly.

How does a ‘Twitter Chat’ work?

A Twitter Chat is a real-time discussion focused on a specific theme. It is designed to bring together various stakeholders (from social entrepreneurs and innovators, to business and media) to share ideas, discuss best practices, identify the latest innovations, and pinpoint areas requiring more exploration. It is also a great way to connect with colleagues and supporters around the globe! Ashoka will be facilitating discussions in realtime, and will be a great platform for you and your networks to pose questions to the panel, and connect to the network of Changemakers!

How can I participate?

1. Follow @changemakers for tweets and updates related to the chat.
2. During the chat use search.twitter.com or an application like Tweetdeck or TweetChat to follow the #ChildrensWellbeing hashtag and keep up with the conversation.
3. Enter the discussion anytime by tagging your tweets with #ChildrensWellbeing . Using the hashtag ensures that everyone following the chat will see your tweets.

What are the rules?

1. Log-in to your Twitter account a few minutes before the TwitterChat begins.
2. Introduce yourself in one tweet when you join the chat and take a minute to get to know the other chatters!
3. @changemakers will tweet 4–5 questions, labeled “Q1, Q2, etc.” in addition to follow-up questions and specific questions for panelists.
4. Preface your answers with “A1, A2, etc.” according to which question you are answering
5. Message/Mention @changemakers if you’d like to submit a question for either a panelist or the group. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #ChildrensWellbeing!
6. Be respectful and don’t forget to have fun! Collaboration through innovation is the name of the game — come join the conversation!