The System That's Supposed to Catch Them

Get to Know Carina

Sep 16

Youth trafficking and abuse don’t happen because no one cares or no one is paying attention. Too often, they happen in the gaps of systems that are stretched too thin exactly where kids need them to hold the tightest.

Back to school means more eyes on our kids: teachers, coaches, counselors, neighbors. And sometimes, that’s when someone notices that something isn’t right.

But noticing is only the first step.

A teacher can make the report. A neighbor can speak up. A caseworker can do everything they can. But if caseloads are too high, prevention programs are underfunded, or schools, child welfare and community organizations aren’t communicating quickly enough, a child can still fall through the cracks.

I’ve spent my career in child welfare, sitting across from these kids and families and working inside these systems. I know what works.

We invest before a family reaches crisis.

We fully fund programs like Healthy Families Illinois and home visiting. We support grandparents and other relatives who step up through kinship care. We make sure survivors of trafficking have specialized services and a safe place to go. And we support young people aging out of foster care so turning 21 doesn’t mean suddenly being on your own.

Most importantly, we build a system where a warning sign leads to action, not another name sitting in a queue.

Protecting kids is about more than responding after something terrible happens. It’s about building the support around children and families early enough that maybe it never does.

I’ve spent my career doing this work. In the State Senate, I’ll bring that experience with me when we decide what Illinois chooses to fund, protect and prioritize.

Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, speak up, and invest in the work of shaping our shared future. I’m deeply grateful to be on this journey with you.

Let’s keep going—because together, we’re stronger.