keywords

gun violence, advocacy, Moms Demand Action, gun control, mental health, community engagement, legislation, Second Amendment, education, safety

takeaways

• Gun violence is a pressing issue that affects communities nationwide.
• Advocacy efforts are crucial in addressing gun violence and promoting responsible gun ownership.
• Community engagement and education are key to changing perceptions about gun laws.
• Mental health is a significant factor in gun violence, but access to firearms is a critical issue.
• The Second Amendment is often misinterpreted in the context of gun rights and ownership.
• Comparative analysis of gun laws in other countries can provide insights for reform.
• Building relationships within communities is essential for effective advocacy.
• Moms Demand Action operates as a grassroots organization with volunteer support.
• There are various ways for individuals to get involved in advocacy efforts.
• Trauma-informed approaches are necessary for addressing the impact of gun violence on youth.

summary

This conversation delves into the pressing issue of gun violence in America, exploring the role of advocacy, community engagement, and legislation in addressing this crisis. Janet Goldstein, a leader in Moms Demand Action, shares her personal journey and the organization's mission to promote responsible gun ownership and common-sense legislation. The discussion highlights the importance of mental health, the misinterpretation of the Second Amendment, and the need for trauma-informed approaches in schools. Listeners are encouraged to get involved in advocacy efforts and understand the impact of gun violence on communities, particularly among youth.

titles

• Confronting Gun Violence: A Call to Action
• Understanding the Role of Advocacy in Gun Control

Sound Bites

• "Gun violence is a pressing issue."
• "The Second Amendment is often misinterpreted."
• "Education is vital in promoting gun safety."

NOTE: CCM means Concealed Carry Mandate; https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/38

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Event Reflection

01:28

Janet's Journey with Moms Demand Action

04:19

Understanding Gun Ownership and Safety

06:46

The Assault Weapons Ban and Its Impact

08:58

Motivations Behind Gun Legislation Advocacy

11:42

The Role of Community in Gun Violence Prevention

14:15

Misinterpretation of the Second Amendment

16:51

America's Fascination with Guns

19:44

Engaging Communities Affected by Gun Violence

25:03

Supporting Communities Through Basic Needs

26:37

Listening to the Voices of the Affected

31:08

The Role of Moms Demand Action

33:57

Initiatives for Gun Safety Education

37:55

Addressing Trauma in Schools

43:51

How to Get Involved with Moms Demand Action

https://specialedrising.com/

Ray's Respite Care GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

“Progress isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes it doesn’t look anything like what the school charts say. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real. If you’ve ever been told your child is ‘behind,’ or felt crushed sitting in an IEP meeting while graphs told a story that didn’t match your kid—this episode is for you.”

In this episode of Special Ed Rising, we explore why small victories matter, how to recognize progress that standardized tests miss, and tools to track your child’s real growth. From tying shoes to making a first friend, these everyday wins are building independence, confidence, and lifelong skills.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why milestones and test scores don’t tell the full story of your child’s growth.
• Research-backed ways to capture progress that traditional assessments miss (Curriculum-Based Measurement, Goal Attainment Scaling, and more).
• How to celebrate small wins that often fly under the radar, like social courage, problem-solving, and self-expression.
• Strategies for shifting your mindset—and your child’s—from “behind” to “growing on their own timeline.”
• Practical tools you can start today: one-line journals, photo notes, creating individualized ladders, and sharing victories with your community.
• An introduction to alternative assessments and how they empower children to show what they really know and can do.

Resources & Links:

• Explore tips, tools, and parent coaching: specialedrising.com
• Watch interviews and extra content: Special Ed Rising YouTube Channel
• Support Ray’s Respite Care: [GoFundMe Link in Show Notes]

Reflection Prompt:

Before you go, take a moment to jot down one small victory your child achieved this week. Celebrate it, claim it, and remember—every step counts.

Join the Movement:

Special Ed Rising is a space for inclusion, supporting individuals with disabilities across education, access, and health. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, subscribe, and share—it helps more families find this support and join the mission.

Quote to Remember:

“Progress isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes it doesn’t look anything like what the school charts say. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real.”

💻 Resources & Support: specialedrising.com

🎥 Watch more: Special Ed Rising YouTube

❤️ Support families: Ray’s Respite Care GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

Ray's Respite Care: https://www.raysrespitecare.org/

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states allowed parents of children with significant disabilities to be paid caregivers under Medicaid—offering dignity, recognition, and financial support for the work they were already doing. But now, as emergency waivers expire, those programs are vanishing. Quietly. Quickly. And families are once again being left behind.

In this PURGE 47 Edition, host Mark Ingrassia examines how states are handling (or mishandling) the rollback of parent caregiver pay, the devastating effects on families, and why this is about more than just money—it’s about equity, justice, and respect.

📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Which states are continuing caregiver pay and which are not
• The policy arguments on both sides—including federal pushback
• How families are scrambling to fill care gaps
• Real-world stories from Idaho, Indiana, New York, and beyond
• What options remain for families after caregiver pay is cut
• How you can advocate for change at the state and federal levels

📝 Resources & References:

• “Medicaid cutbacks will affect unpaid family caregivers” – Wisconsin Examiner, Erik Gunn
• Disability Scoop and Idaho Statesman reporting on Idaho caregiver program cuts
• Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) caregiver survey (Wisconsin)
• New York CDPAP and Medicaid Waiver info – NY Post, Times Union, NYS DOH
• Complex Care Act advocacy updates
• Legislative tracking via SpecialEdRising.com

🧾 Full bibliography available

New York State Department of Health. (n.d.). Care at Home waiver program for developmentally disabled children. Retrieved from https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0548/care_at_home_dev_disabled.htm

New York State Department of Health. (2014, July 7). 1115 Waiver special terms and conditions. Retrieved from https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/2016/2014-07-07_waiver_authority_stcs.htm

Campbell, C. (2024, May 7). Parents push N.Y. to support care of medically fragile children. Times Union. Retrieved from https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/parents-push-n-y-support-care-medically-fragile-19986153.php

Colón, J. (2024, July 4). Commentary: PPL is failing caregivers and the people they care for. Times Union. Retrieved from https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/commentary-ppl-failing-caregivers-people-care-20323023.php

Times Union Editorial Board. (2024, May 23). Another problem with New York’s CDPAP overhaul. Times Union. Retrieved from https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/another-problem-new-york-s-cdpap-overhaul-20053619.php

New York Post Editorial Board. (2024, October 8). Opinion: Hochul bows to nursing unions in $12B senior care power play. New York Post. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2024/10/08/opinion/hochul-bows-to-nursing-unions-12b-senior-care-power-play/

Campanile, C. (2024, December 1). Home care agency exec accuses Hochul team of bid-rigging. New York Post. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2024/12/01/us-news/home-care-agency-exec-accuses-gov-hochul-team-of-rigging-bid-process-for-9m-program/

Campanile, C. (2024, December 2). Rep. Ritchie Torres calls for bid-rigging probe of Hochul’s $9B home care contract. New York Post. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2024/12/02/us-news/ritchie-torres-calls-for-bid-rigging-probe-of-hochuls-9b-home-care-contract/

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Wikipedia. Retrieved from...