Beam spoke to a group of 30 people at the State Capitol, saying that “we all have a moral obligation to do all we possibly can.” “This group must somehow empower our state in order to make a positive difference in the lives our children,” Beam said to a 30-member gathering at the State Capitol. The group’s goal is to create a comprehensive, statewide approach to improving the child welfare systems across agencies, private entities, and faith-based organizations. Tom Broome, co-chair of the group and Rankin County judge, stated that the key focus for 2016 will be raising public awareness about child safety and the needs associated with them. Broome said that there are opportunities in the building, referring specifically to the state’s legislative and executive leadership. They listen to you. Encourage them to learn from you and give them the information they need. “Money is the solution to all things in one regard,” a 2015 report found that nearly 4,000 Mississippi children live apart and that more than 28,000 cases of neglect and abuse were referred to the Department of Human Services. In late 2015, Gov. Phil Bryant requested that the Legislature authorize and fund a Department of Child Services, which would be devoted to children’s welfare issues. In 2006, the Mississippi Supreme Court established the commission and in June 2010, Justice Randy Pierce and Justice Broome re-established it. Chief Justice William Waller appointed Beam as his replacement after Pierce resigned to head the state’s Judicial College. In August, the Commission will meet again to discuss their efforts in establishing systems that allow service providers to work together more efficiently. Dr. John Damon is the CEO of Mississippi Children’s Home Services. He urged members to think about how families can receive services so their children do not end up in foster care. He asked, “How can we design highly coordinated care? And how do we eliminate these (service) silos?” He said that Mississippi has been ordered by the federal courts to reform its child welfare system. During the 2016 legislative session, $34 million was approved for a separate agency to address these changes.