Sex Trafficking–A Community Response

By Sara Lahman, Annie Malone CEO

Allison Mack, 36, best known for her role as Chloe in Smallville, pleaded guilty recently to charges of racketeering conspiracy and racketeering as a result of her involvement with Nxivm, a controversial alleged cult founded by Keith Raniere. Mack reportedly recruited women to become “obedient female companions” for Raniere. She admitted to luring women into Nxivm who were “extorted and coerced into following Raniere’s orders.” [1] The group claimed to be a “self-help” group. Mack will be sentenced September 11, 2019 on the two racketeering counts and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.  She was originally charged last year with sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and forced labor conspiracy. As for Raniere, he is charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking along with wire fraud and most recently, an added charge of child pornography. 

The Nxivm case has generated quite a bit of publicity namely because of its high-profile participants such as India Oxenburg, daughter of Dynasty actress Catherine Oxenburg, and heir to the Seagram’s liquor fortune, Clare Bronfman who is charged with racketeering. The same can be said of the media circus surrounding R&B superstar R. Kelly who was indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges involving four victims, including teenagers below the age of consent. [2]  

But sadly, not enough attention is paid to the thousands of victims of sex trafficking who are exploited every day in this country. The pain and suffering they feel is every bit as traumatizing as that of the women exploited by Mack and allegedly by R. Kelly. Often, their plight is ignored because they are in many cases, the forgotten ones. Too often, the victims are young teens with severed connections to family. They may be runaways or homeless youth. They are preyed upon daily. Young people signing on for what they think are glamorous jobs traveling the country selling magazines are often victims of labor trafficking. Juvenile boys and members of the LGBTQ community are exploited and beaten and engage in survival sex. [3] This happens every single day in the United States of America.  Read more “Sex Trafficking–A Community Response” →

How to Save a Life

By Kevin Drollinger , President and Executive Director, Provident Behavioral Health

As experts in child advocacy, members of MCCA are well aware of the alarming trends in suicide among young people. It’s the tenth leading cause of death state-wide and the second leading cause of death for Missourians ages 10 to 24. It is a battle that intensifies as we lose more children and parents, spouses and grandparents, friends, neighbors, and employees with each passing day.

This is why it is crucial for everyone in our industry to arm themselves with suicide prevention knowledge.

The first step to helping those in crisis are to recognize the warning signs of suicide. These include:

Read more “How to Save a Life” →

Missouri Foundation for Health Partners with Kaiser Family Foundation

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) and KFF (the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation) have entered into a new long-term partnership to establish a KHN (Kaiser Health News) Midwest Bureau, based in St. Louis, Missouri.  KFF – the trusted source of health policy information – produces health policy analysis, polling, and journalism, and KHN is its national health and health policy newsroom, producing in-depth news coverage of health care policy and politics. An editorially independent program of KFF, KHN’s more than 50 journalists are mostly based in KFF’s Washington, D.C. offices or in California.

Read more “Missouri Foundation for Health Partners with Kaiser Family Foundation” →

Jerrie Jacobs-Kenner, PhD, Named President of Crittenton Children’s Center

Congratulations to Jerrie Jacobs-Kenner!  Jerrie Jacobs-Kenner, PhD, LCSW, has been named President of MCCA member, Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City’s-Crittenton Children’s Center. Dr. Jacobs-Kenner joined Saint Luke’s in 2015, as the Senior Director of Community Based Programs. Jerrie has 33 years of clinical and leadership experience in the social and behavioral health fields; serving Missouri’s public and private sectors.As the President of Crittenton Children’s Center, Jerrie will provide leadership for a dynamic team of professionals committed to the highest quality of care for children and families through hospital, residential, and community based services.