Message to Members Regarding SRCD Statement Addressing the Evidence on Child Separation from Families

Dear Members,

We regret that the message sent on Saturday, June 16, 2018 was construed by many as a commitment to neutrality.

Dr. Namy intended quite the contrary -- to assert that we are strongly committed to using the evidence to influence opinion within the confines of SRCD’s organizational constraints. As her message indicated, SRCD research experts will soon release a review of the evidence. We will ensure the wide dissemination of this review to policymakers and the public and are exploring other avenues for public engagement on this topic. In the meantime, the statement below has been disseminated to the public.

The science on separating children from their families is unambiguous: It is harmful to children’s development and long-term physical, mental, and emotional health. It disrupts a child’s sense of security, removes a child’s strongest source of comfort, and causes harm to a child’s well-being. The evidence underscores the importance of prioritizing keeping children secure with their families.

Thank you for your engagement and important work.

Sincerely,

Marc H. Bornstein, President and Laura L. Namy, Executive Director