Matthew Albright

The News Journal

Former second lady Jill Biden delivered the opening remarks Friday as The News Journal and a coalition of community partners hosted an Imagine Delaware forum focusing on child abuse and what can be done to stop it.

The event was sponsored by the newspaper, Christiana Care Health System and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington.

THE STORY: On the front lines of child abuse in Delaware

BACKGROUND: What the numbers say about the state's efforts to fight child abuse

Before the panel discussion, more than 20 community groups and nonprofits hosted exhibits and handed out information about the services to families they provide. Anyone struggling with related issues – financial, medical or housing – was able to hold a private conversation with a professional.

The News Journal's executive editor, David Ledford, moderated a panel discussion featuring local, regional and national experts. Panelists included:

Josette DelleDonne Manning , secretary of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, which coordinates services for youth who have faced abuse or neglect.

, secretary of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, which coordinates services for youth who have faced abuse or neglect. Teri Lawler, a school psychologist at Stanton Middle School with 28 years' experience.

a school psychologist at Stanton Middle School with 28 years' experience. David Paul, a practicing neonatologist, who is chair of Christiana Care's pediatrics department.

a practicing neonatologist, who is chair of Christiana Care's pediatrics department. Kellie Turner, program director for Prevent Child Abuse Delaware.

program director for Prevent Child Abuse Delaware. Lyndon Haviland, an international expert in children's issues and human rights who has worked for the United Nations and World Health Organization, among other agencies.

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On Saturday, the Red Clay Consolidated School District, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware and the Beau Biden Foundation will offer public education and professional session concerning child abuse. They will include training on how to spot child abuse, manage difficult behavior in kids, protect children in the digital age and have tough conversations with your children.

That event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to noon. It also will be free and open to the public, though some workshops require registration — to sign up, go to www.rcchildabuseprevention2017.com.

In advance of the forum, The News Journal has published in-depth stories explaining the scope of child abuse in Delaware and how the state is approaching the problem.

The News Journal's previous Imagine Delaware forums have drawn crowds of hundreds and have covered topics such as diabetes, the heroin epidemic, poverty in education, job growth in Delaware and the state's aging population.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2428 or on Twitter @TNJ_malbright.