The first vision fulfillment statement of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP) states that as a college we hope to be the voice of the osteopathic pediatric community to speak on behalf of osteopathic physicians regarding policies and social issues focusing on the health and well-being of all children. In accordance with this vision, the ACOP wishes to stand with our colleagues among both the osteopathic and allopathic pediatric communities and voice our firm opposition to the current practices of separating migrant children from their families under the enforcement of the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act. This cruel and unjust practice of forcibly removing children and babies from their parents and placing them in separate detention centers serves only to inflict irreparable harm to the neurologic and psychologic development of these children.
Vast evidence is available on the association of prolonged toxic stress exposure in early childhood and adverse outcomes spanning well into adulthood. The environment in which these children are being placed, concrete floors, bare mattresses, insufficient food and water supplies, constant exposure to cold and harsh lighting is the definition of prolonged exposure to toxic stress and the damage being done to these children goes far beyond the immediate scenes which have played out on television and computer screens across the globe.
As representatives of the Osteopathic pediatric community we must raise our voices to demand an end to these practices which go against all we stand for in the promotion of health and well-being in ALL children, regardless of race, nationality, or immigrant status. We call upon our members of Congress to speak up and put an end to this policy and to reject further implementation of the Border security and Immigration Reform Act.
Jason R. Jackson, DO
ACOP Fellow Trustee
Endorsed by the ACOP Board of Directors
Edward Packer DO, FACOP, FAAP, President
Jacqueline Kaari DO, FACOP, Vice President
Marta Diaz-Pupek DO, FACOP, FAAP, Secretary/Treasurer
Carl Backes DO, FACOP, FAAP, Immediate Past President
John Applegate DO, FACOP, Trustee
Jude Cauwenbergh DO, FACOP, Trustee
Jamee Goldstein DO, FACOP, Trustee
Tami Hendriksz DO, FACOP, Trustee
Ava Stanczak DO, FAAP, FACOP, Trustee
Jason Jackson DO, Fellowship Trustee
Christine Beeson DO, Resident Trustee
Erin Thornley, Resident Trustee
Samantha DeMarsh, Student Trustee
Roxanne Waggoner, Student Trustee
