March Is for the Girls

OCOF Blog
Written By Kait Fedro

DESIGNING A SYSTEM THAT HONORs AND EMBRACES Women and Girls

Women’s History Month is observed by individuals, families, communities, and organizations across the United States every March. For OCOF, Women’s History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the many contributions of women (locally and globally) in behavioral health and across our community systems. It is also an opportunity to renew our focus on designing a system of care that fully embraces and effectively serves women, girls, and femme-identifying folks (and their families) here in the Heart of Texas.

Note: The words “women” and “girls” are used throughout this blog are inclusive of all femme-identifying identities. OCOF values the experiences and identities of all of our community members, including transwomen and nonbinary folks. If your identity intersects with girlhood or womanhood, OCOF is celebrating and honoring you this Women’s History Month.

IT STARTS HERE

Women and girls have a rich history of meaningful contributions to their local communities (and beyond). From advancements in STEM and the arts to community advocacy and shaping the way we approach behavioral health and community wellness, women and girls have always placed pivotal roles in building a brighter, more inclusive future for all of us. At the same time, women and girls (especially those who identify with one or more other marginalized groups) often face complex, systemic challenges and barriers to wellness and achievement.

Developing a fuller understanding of the historical and present-day context that shapes the lived experiences, values, strengths, and needs of women and girls in our community is foundational to our ability to design systems that provide meaningful, effective, culturally responsive support to women, girls, and their families. Throughout this month, we invite you to take action alongside us to honor and embrace the women and girls in our local community and build more effective systems of care.

GET LEARNING

Developing a fuller understanding of women’s history and the unique challenges, needs, and strengths of women and girls in our community is a forever process. No matter where you are in your individual exploration of the history, experiences, strengths, and contributions of women and girls throughout history, there is always more to learn. If you aren’t sure where to start, we’ve curated a list of online resources for you to explore!

GET CURIOUS

Whether you are a youth-serving professional, person with lived experience, or community member, you have the opportunity to meaningfully impact our system of care. This month, we invite you to get curious—observe the ways that our education, justice, healthcare, and child welfare organizations (and beyond) interact with the women and girls in our community.

How could these critical parts of our community’s system of care more effectively honor the experiences, embrace the strengths, and meet the needs of women and girls in the Heart of Texas? Taking a step back and noticing what is working well—and what could improve—is a critical first step toward meaningful change!

GET INVOLVED

Attending a local Women’s History Month event is a great way to get involved and build connections within your local community! Is your group or organization hosting a Women’s History Month event? OCOF would love to help spread the word. OCOF welcomes submissions for community events, resource fairs, trainings, and other opportunities that align with our mission of building a stronger, more connected community. Use the Community Partner Update Form to submit your event details. Once reviewed, approved events will be added to our calendar.

 

OUR VISION FOR OUR COMMUNITY

OCOF envisions a community where every child, youth and young adult is healthy, connected and thriving. We know that health, connection, and thriving are defined within the context of individual and community experiences, values, and strengths. We are committed—this Women’s History Month and always—to continuing to deepen and broaden our understanding of the unique strengths, challenges, and opportunities of women, girls, and their families across the Heart of Texas in order to create a system of care that serves them with compassion and excellence.

Kait Fedro

Kaitlin “Kait” Fedro is the System of Care Coordinator with Our Community Our Future, where she develops resources, programming, and collaborative tools to strengthen supports for youth and families across the Heart of Texas region. Her passion for this work is deeply rooted in her lived experience with a mental health disorder that began in early adolescence, her role as a mother to a young, neurodivergent child, and her background as an early childhood development professional. Outside of work, Kait enjoys reading with an extra-large cup of coffee and visiting favorite community spots with her family.

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