Advocacy

Behaviorally challenging kids are often on the receiving end of the most unenlightened, ineffective, sometimes brutal treatment society has to offer. They need a voice. In this section, you'll learn about what Lives in the Balance is doing to heighten awareness and advocate on behalf of the kids and their caregivers -- including our documentary film, The Kids We Lose -- and how you can get involved.

Highlights

advocacy for behaviorally challenging kids and their caregivers

Can't Do it Without You

Become a Lives in the Balance Advocator to help us heighten awareness of the counterproductive, inhumane disciplinary practices commonly applied to behaviorally challenging kids...and change things for the better.

The Kids We Lose: A Lives in the Balance Documentary

Winner of the Best Feature Documentary Award at four different film festivals, this film exposes the brutal, counterproductive, inhumane treatment often applied to kids with behavioral challenges.

Final Take on Our 2019 Summit:

Our Annual Summit was held Portland, Maine on November 15th, 2019, and over 350 participants were energized and inspired by the messages of keynote speakers Dr. Bettina Love and Charity Bell. You missed it? Next year's 10th Anniversary Summit is on November 13, 2020 (yes, that's a Friday)...

How Punitive Is Your State?

It's not easy being a kid these days, but it's even tougher if you live in one of the states in the US that employ the most punitive school discipline. Which states? Our Punitive Index will tell you.

Compassionate Communities

Compassionate Communities is your way to show that you and your classroom or school are subscribing to certain values in your interactions with kids. And there's never been a more important time to do that.