Exploring Innovative Approaches: Lessons from a Fellowship with Alaska Children's Trust
During my time as the Alaska Fellow at Alaska Children’s Trust, I’ve had the chance to work on a variety of projects dedicated to the the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Our work uses a diverse range of strategies for primary prevention, from advocacy and policy change to afterschool and child care support, all in an effort to help build the knowledge, skills, supports, and resources families need to thrive.
I love working at ACT, and will dearly miss being surrounded by the supportive, passionate, and funny people who make up our team. I’ve learned so much about prevention from working on our varied projects, projects especially enriched by invaluable feedback and ideas from community members and partners across Alaska. As an Alaska Fellow, I supported the work of Program Director Tara Christiansen-Stiller and Program Specialist (and former Alaska Fellow!) Eliza Posner. I’ve had opportunities to help plan and support grantmaking, events, and trainings for National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, Pathway to Hope—an Indigenous approach to preventing and healing from child sexual abuse—and the empowering Positive Indian Parenting program.
One of my main roles at ACT was leading the statewide Child Abuse Prevention Month campaign for April 2023. After convening a planning committee of youth- and family-serving providers across the state, we designed, packaged, and dispatched interactive materials to over 70 organizations. Additionally, we facilitated 5 free webinar trainings open to providers and the public and provided 36 Prevention Month events for kids and families across the state with our mini-grants, nurturing a culture of protection for children and families across the state.
Another big project that I worked on from the very beginning of my fellowship was ACT’s online safety resources. We put together a webpage with facts, advice, and resources; held events and workshops for families and teens; and created a card deck: “Conversations for Families about Staying Safe Online” to empower caregivers and youth to talk about online safety topics—from risky interactions online to social media’s impact on mental health.
My fellowship at ACT has introduced me to many new ideas, people, and ways of doing things. It’s impressed upon me the importance of community-designed solutions, of gathering feedback and brainstorming together, and it’s given me the chance to hear people all over Alaska talk about the impacts of child abuse and neglect and historical trauma on themselves and their communities. It’s also helped me see the strength of Alaskan communities and the importance of gearing solutions towards a community’s specific needs. This coming year, I’ll be working as a staff assistant for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. I’ll bring everything I’ve learned at ACT and in Alaska with me as I continue my career, where I hope to work in public policy to help support kids, families, and communities across the country.
About Sarah McKinnis
“Sarah’s unwavering dedication, exceptional work ethic, and contagious passion have been invaluable to our team and organization. Her tireless efforts have been instrumental in spearheading and implementing new programs, as well as adding significant capacity to our existing initiatives aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. Sarah’s outstanding contributions have not only elevated the quality of our work but have also set a new standard for excellence that will continue to inspire us.
Her enthusiasm and warm smile will be deeply missed, and we are immensely grateful for the impact she has made during her time with us.”
“Sarah was a valuable addition to our team, demonstrating her eagerness to take initiative, pose thoughtful inquiries, and remain open to new learning opportunities. It was truly a pleasure to work alongside someone so dedicated to professional growth. Quyanaa Sarah! ”
“Sarah always goes about her work quietly, but her contributions to ACT’s work speak for themselves. In her nine months with our team, Sarah led one of ACT’s largest and most successful Child Abuse Prevention Month campaigns, helped develop our new online safety content area, managed a new diaper bank grant in the Anchorage Municipality, and contributed to countless other projects. I have learned so much from her ability to take initiative and jump into any task she is assigned.
From her contributions to ACT’s child sexual abuse prevention trainings to our office lunches together, there are so many ways in which Sarah has enhanced the ACT Programs team. She will be greatly missed, but I am so excited to see her excel in her new role!”