Committees, Special Interest Groups and LiaisonsThe Helfer Executive Committee established a new award program to support the work of Helfer Committees. Two awards were announced on January 1. Please select this link for descriptions of the projects being funded. There’s much to be done and we really need you to help our Society fulfill its mission of leading our field. Please consider where you’d like to participate (must be a member of the Society) and contact the chair(s) listed below. Some committees or special interest groups (SIGs) may have limited membership, so act soon! Committee members may login to download Guidelines for Helfer Society Committees, approved by the Executive Committee, in the Resources section in the Member Center. You may also review how these Helfer committees and special interest groups are defined, along with expectations and privileges, by scrolling down this page or selecting this link which will take you directly to this section. CommitteesAwards CommitteeSuzanne Starling Mission: To select the physician who has made the greatest contribution to child abuse pediatrics. Annual Meeting CommitteeTara Holloran, Terra Frazier and Kristin Crichton Mission: To work with the President to program an annual scientific meeting for the Ray Helfer Society, and oversee its implementation. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Hiu-fai Fong and Katie Johnson This committee serves to support the personal and professional growth of Helfer members in creating a diverse and equitable community in which all of its members are included and supported. Safer Space Initiative: The Safer Space Initiative aims to support inclusivity within the Helfer Society by giving members a process through which exclusionary behavior may be identified and acknowledged in a trauma-informed and education-focused way. For more information about the process or to submit an intake, please see the Safer Space Initiative process and intake form. Intakes sent to [email protected] will be received by one of the Safer Space subcommittee members listed below. If you would feel more comfortable sending your intake to only one of these members, you may do so. Safer Space Subcommittee Members: Education CommitteeKathryn Wells and Emily Killough Executive CommitteeNancy Harper This committee is responsible for leading the Helfer Society. Fellowship Program Directors CommitteeMegan Letson and Natalie Kissoon Mission: To facilitate excellence in clinical and research training in the field of Child Abuse Pediatrics by supporting the growth and development of Child Abuse Pediatric Fellowship Programs. Goals:
Human Trafficking CommitteeJordan Greenbaum The Human Trafficking Committee maintains a resource on this subject within the Society's web site. Please select Human Trafficking (login required) to view this resource. Membership CommitteeJohn Melville The committee votes on Regular (Full) membership and Scholar membership to the Helfer Society. The committee reviews applications and decides on membership after receiving input from the general membership. Nominations CommitteeSuzanne Starling This committee develops a list of candidates for electing the Executive Committee, every two years. Research CommitteeKate Henry and Samantha Schilling Mission: To support research by Helfer members at all levels. Committee members will share in setting the agenda of the committee, though our priorities will include:
Guidelines for Research Recruitment via Helfer Approved by Research Committee Scholars CommitteeMichelle Greene and Jennifer Sabo Mission: This committee will strive to support scholar members in their pursuit of their careers in Child Abuse Pediatrics. The committee will actively contribute to the priorities of the committee. Priorities include:
Wellness and Mental Health CommitteeMichael Baxter and Mandy O'Hara Mission: To advance the knowledge and expertise of Helfer members regarding the short and long-term impact of maltreatment on the well-being and mental health of children, their families and the professionals who provide care to them - including advances in research, education, treatment and public policy. Aims:
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)Child Fatality SIGMichael Durfee and Randy Alexander International Helfer Members SIGGabi Otterman and Michelle Shouldice This Interest Group, which is not a committee, is leading activities of significant interest among Canadian, European, Australian and New Zealander physicians dedicated to the field of child maltreatment. Legislative Advocacy SIGJim Crawford-Jakubiak Prevention SIGNina Agrawal and Ann Lenane Solo CAP SIGDana Kaplan; Madhu Voddi; Gillian Hopgood; Kerri Weeks This special interest group serves to support the challenges of Helfer members who operate as solo child abuse pediatricians (CAPs). Given the shortage of physicians within the field of child abuse pediatrics, the need for Solo CAPs will likely increase over time. Best practices, resources and collaboration all will be explored as a way to support Solo CAPs globally. A Solo CAP is any Helfer member that considers themselves as such. We aim to maintain a broad definition to remain inclusive so that we can explore the various circumstances in which Solo CAPs practice. Substance Abuse SIGStephanie Deutsch Substance exposure negatively impacts infant and child health and is a risk factor for maltreatment. Children and families affected by substance exposure interface with child welfare systems disproportionately. Our SIG is established to further discussion and research around ensuring accurate identification of exposed infants and children, improving safety outcomes for children affected by substance exposure, to disseminate info around relevant legislation/policy related to substance exposed infants and children, and establish best practice for the evaluation of potential substance exposure. LiaisonsNational Child Abuse CoalitionKathryn Wells Helfer Committee and Special Interest Groups DefinedI. Ad Hoc or Advisory Committee - Exists solely to consider a topic which requires extended study or deliberation. Formed with a specific mission/deliverable in mind, and with an estimated time period of existence. a. Expectations: i. Participation is by invitation of the EC. b. Privileges: i. Use of the society’s Zoom account for meetings. II. Special Interest Group – Allows members to meet on a particular topic of interest. a. Expectations: i. Any three members may form a SIG unless specifically vetoed by the EC. b. Privileges: i. Use of the society’s Zoom account for meetings. III. Committee – Advance the work of the Helfer Society on a specific topic. a. Expectations: i. Committees may be created by the EC upon the request of 10 or more members, at least two of whom agree to serve as co-chairs. b. Privileges: i. Use of the society’s Zoom account for meetings. IV. Standing Committee – Created by the EC to accomplish specific, recurring tasks supporting the mission of the society. a. Expectations: i. Standing Committees are formed at the direction of the EC. b. Privileges – Privileges of Standing Committees are the same as Committees, plus additional privileges related to the specifics of the Committee’s work. |