Advocating for Change and Raising Awareness to Protect Children

SFM Advocacy focuses on system-level issues

At Saint Francis Ministries, we know that strong programs alone aren’t enough to help children and families thrive; we also need strong policies. That’s why we create an Advocacy Agenda each year. This plan helps us focus on the biggest system-level issues that affect the people we serve and our ability to do the work. In 2025, our top priorities include improving access to prevention services, supporting our workforce, and finding solutions to the rising costs of liability insurance.

At the national level, we continue to monitor federal leaders debating new rules and funding decisions. Executive orders and the proposed federal budget could have a real impact on the resources available to children and families. To stay on top of this, we’re working closely with both state and national partners, making sure we have a strong voice in these conversations.

In Texas, several bills could affect our services. Some would:

• Allow more mental health professionals (like LMSWs and LPCAs) to bill Medicaid.
• Remove the statute of limitations for certain sexual abuse cases.
• Review and reduce unnecessary oversight of providers.
• Shift prevention funding to Community-Based Care (CBC) providers.
• Expand Medicaid services, especially in rural areas.

In Nebraska, lawmakers are discussing bills that could:

• Reduce how long families can receive cash assistance.
• Require suicide prevention training for staff at Child Placing Agencies.
• Increase provider payments by five percent, helping us cover rising costs.

In Kansas, the session has ended, and two bills that affect our work have passed:

• One law protects the rights of people with deeply held religious or moral beliefs to become foster parents, while still allowing child welfare professionals to decide what’s in the best interest of each child.
• The second law speeds up the timeline for permanency hearings, changing them from once every 12 months to every 9 months.
• Other bills we have followed, such as those focused on juvenile justice or changing how “neglect” is defined, did not pass this year.

In Mississippi, the legislation we were supporting did not move forward this year. We have, however, built strong momentum. The work we’ve done to educate and connect with leaders will help push these ideas forward in future sessions.

Even when laws don’t pass right away, our advocacy efforts matter. They help build understanding, relationships, and support for needed changes.

Thanks to our Saint Francis employees for being part of this mission and for the work they do each day to bring healing and hope to children and families. As always, our Advocacy Team is here to lend support.

If you have questions, comments, or are curious about how you can get involved, feel free to reach out to Vice President of Advocacy Matt Stephens.

Blue is the color of awareness

Many Saint Francis Ministries offices have sported blue pinwheels and new signage over the last several weeks. They showcase the organization’s effort to raise awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign in 2008 to draw attention to child abuse. Their research indicated that people respond positively to pinwheels, “which represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness and our vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities.”

Likewise, the Alliance for Children sponsors “Go Blue Day,” and participants were encouraged to wear blue on Friday, April 4, in honor of their commitment to prevent child abuse. Many of us at SFM chose to do the same … and we took pictures to share on our social media platforms. Some of us have worn blue every Friday of the month.

As you may know, child abuse prevention is deeply related to the mission and ministry of SFM, so it’s important to us that we do our part in raising awareness on behalf of the children and teens we serve. So, thanks to everyone who has participated in the effort this month.

The Alliance for Children also sponsors “Blue Sunday” on April 27 to honor child abuse prevention in houses of worship. It’s a good way to engage the faith community and advocate for children in need of protection from abuse.

So, how about it? Do you have one more blue shirt to wear this Sunday … whether you’re in church or not? Some children have no one to speak for them … we can do that, simply by wearing a blue shirt.