"I chose mental health first because it affects nearly every area of a child's life, including behavior, school performance, relationships, confidence, and overall well-being. When mental health needs go unmet, children and families struggle in silence."

"I have know of parents seeking to get help with a child’s violent behavior that could not fine help until they refused to no longer care for the child and the child was placed with DHR so that DHr then had to find mental health resources for the child. "

"The biggest challenge is access to affordable mental health services. Families face long waitlist, transportation barriers, stigmas, and lack of insurance coverage."

"Denial that a student needs help and families having open dialogue with their children to better understand what they need."

"Success in school leads to more opportunity for success in life.  It improves job opportunities, leads to improved emotional and mental health, can bridge to higher education and trade schools, and improve one's ability to move out of poverty.  Educators can inspire and help guide students to achieve in classroom and outside as well participate in other arts and sports, learning teamwork and cooperation."

"Our biggest challenge is money and our students who are faced with poverty and lack of parental involvement due to working several jobs and mental health issues."

"While I am very involved in my sons education, because he is bussed over 45min each way to school, it limits the involvement we can have with the school and limits the ability to create a sense of community. We are in an annexed part of the county which in some ways, makes us feel annexed from the school community itself."

"Investing in our next generation has the best ROI."

"Parental Involvement and Family Engagement starts when a child is born. Teaching children kindness and empathy along with life skills is so important for success. Families must engage with school involvement and model appropriate behavior. It all begins at an early age. Parents cannot wait until the school age happens. It is a process for continued success."

"I know of a woman who was raised in an abusive home and when she married she continued this with her children at first, then learned through a church class this was not right—she changed-had 10 kids, all turned out good people, none abusive to kids—also look to example of Ben Carson and the difference his mother made"

"Parent(s) working too much to support family. Not enough quality time together. Allowing children access to electronics for entertainment too early and too"