Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty on Wednesday will moderate an online panel with state and local elected officials to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children.
In addition to Dougherty, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Congressman Joe Neguse, Boulder County Commissioner-elect Claire Levy and Boulder City Councilmember Junie Joseph will take part in the virtual discussion on laws and issues impacting children and families in Boulder County, according to a news release. The panel is being hosted by Boulder Voices for Children, a nonprofit organization that advocates for abused and neglected children.
There is a body of research indicating that compared to adults, the pandemic may have worse long-term negative effects on children and adolescents. There also are studies showing that children are more vulnerable to the emotional impact of traumatic events, and adversity during childhood can have lasting impacts on children’s social emotional health.
“The pandemic is having a dramatic impact on the education and well-being of kids,” Dougherty stated in the release. “This period of isolation is concerning, particularly for children in abusive homes.”
The panel will discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on mental health, schooling and access to education, as well as child abuse and neglect during this period, Dougherty stated: “This panel will discuss the positive lessons to be taken from the pandemic, the reforms we need in place and how we can build a better future for all the kids in our community.”
This year has been an especially difficult one for children and families served by Boulder Voices for Children, the nonprofit’s executive director Jacob R. Harmon stated in the release.
“We hope that by bringing together this group of federal, state and local policymakers we will keep the focus on the welfare of our most vulnerable children and building a better future for them,” he stated.
The free panel discussion will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday and will be livestreamed on Boulder Voices for Children’s Facebook page and is open to the public. Anyone interested in joining can register here.
