Safer outcomes for children and the vulnerable.
Safeguarding Humanity Together integrates medical knowledge with human services to protect those who need it most.
“Recognizing the significant stress and burnout among child welfare professionals responsible for children with complex and medically fragile conditions, I developed and implemented the nation's first intensive, internally based Child Protective Services (CPS) child welfare nurse program. The program filled a critical gap by providing expert medical consultation, care coordination, and wraparound support to caseworkers and the children and families they served. By integrating nursing expertise directly into child welfare practice, the program enhanced worker confidence, strengthened decision-making, and improved support for some of the system's most vulnerable children.”— Alicia Picklesimer
"Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire."— Ancient Text
Questions We Ponder
1. Why is child welfare so difficult?
For 2024, Child Protective Service agencies received a national estimate of 4,365,000 total referrals alleging child abuse and neglect. These referrals include approximately 7,693,000 children. Child Maltreatment | The Administration for Children and Families.
2. Why do good human service professionals struggle?
Because they're asked to make incredibly difficult decisions with limited information, high caseloads, and insufficient interdisciplinary support.
- high workforce turnover & burnout
- increasing complexity of cases
- medically complex child cases
- inconsistent decision-making
- limited resources
- varying levels of training
- difficulty retaining experienced staff
- fragmented communication across disciplines
Notice something...
None of those are solved by simply hiring more investigators or allocating more money.
Many can be improved by better support systems and efficiency.
3. What is missing?
- Medical collaboration
- Evidence-based training
- Research & Data strategically utilized
- Knowledge sharing
- Community support
- Technology & AI caseload efficiency
4. How can SG-HT help?
We strengthen the people who protect children. SG-HT exists to bolster—not replace—the child welfare system by providing knowledge, medical expertise, training, research, and community collaboration.
- medical education
- nurse consultation
- AI-supported knowledge & research
- community partnerships
- leadership development
- evidence-based resources
Some states have recognized the value of integrating nurses into child welfare practice. Oklahoma employs dedicated child welfare nurses who provide consultation and support to caseworkers handling medically complex situations. SG-HT seeks to expand awareness of collaborative approaches like these while adapting solutions to the unique needs of each state.
We integrate medical knowledge with human services to achieve safer outcomes for children and the vulnerable — closing the gap between clinical insight and the systems meant to protect.
Medical Insight
Translating clinical knowledge into practical tools that front-line workers and caregivers can utilize for support and improved decision making.
Human Services
Partnering with government & community agencies, social workers and families to strengthen the systems that safeguard children.
Safer Outcomes
Outcomes of our work are identified by improved health, safety and well-being of the vulnerable lives we serve.
2025 Training Feedback from Social Workers
Testimonies from Social Workers after our training
It is evident that Alicia is extremely knowledgeable and cares about informing specialists. This was one of the best OHS trainings I have attended.
She did great! This training should be held before people get a caseload.
So great at her job! So knowledgeable and passionate about helping others better understand the medical needs for our kids!
The Stewards
Alicia Picklesimer (Formerly VanBuskirk)
Founder & President
Alicia (VanBuskirk) Picklesimer has been a registered nurse for over 30 years. She obtained her Master's in Forensic Nursing from Duquesne University and completed additional studies toward her Nurse...
B. Davis Picklesimer
Executive Director
After a successful 20-year career in finance, Davis chose a more purpose-driven path centered on service and community impact. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, helped establish a church, an...
Shelley Newman
Secretary / Treasurer
Former product development leader at global high tech companies, with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA. Her analytical talents bring efficient, innovative approaches to the nonprofit world. A...
Leslie Schwalbe, MPA
Board Member - Behavioral Health Director
Leslie has more than 30 years of experience working in and with federal, state and local governments, health plans and community providers. Leslie is past Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of...
Susan Oliver
Board Member - Clinical Director
Registered nurse with fifteen years of experience in child welfare. Susan helped develop a pilot program at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services that embedded registered nurses into child welfare...
Dr. Mary Stockett
Board Member - Medical Director
Mary Ellen Stockett, MD, is a Child Abuse Pediatrician and Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma Children's Hospital. Dr. Stockett is board...
Guiding Voices
Dr. Paul Shawler, PhD
Child & Adolescent Psychology/Juvenile Justice Advisor
Dr. Shawler is an expert in Child and Adolescent Psychology with over a decade of experience supporting families. He operates a private practice, Shawler Psychology, PLLC, where he delivers treatment...
Dr. Esther Combs, LPC
Trauma-Informed Counseling & Education Advisor
Esther is known for her energetic welcomes, authentic curiosity, and her unwavering belief that people can. As an educator, therapist, and business owner, she has dedicated her career to understanding...
Vanessa Matthews
Law Enforcement and Treatment Court Advisor
Vanessa is the division director for the Treatment Court Institute (TCI), a division of Allrise. She was employed as a police officer with Oklahoma City from 1990 to 2012, working with the Oklahoma Co...
Jade Sawyer
Foster Care FFY Advisor
Jade has lived the broken system of Child Welfare as a former foster youth (FFY). She now lives a life of Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) as a business Manager and Entrepreneur. Jade provides "lived exper...
Dr. Erin Maher
Sociology & Research Advisor
Dr. Maher is Professor of Sociology and Senior Associate Director of the Data Institute for Societal Challenges at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on the intersection of poverty and c...
Deanna Warren
Child Welfare & Criminal Justice Advisor
Deanna brings more than 19 years of public service experience with the State of Oklahoma. Her professional background includes extensive work in child welfare as a supervisor within investigations, pe...
Lesa B. Shaw
Tribal Rights Advocate & Policy Expert Advisor
Ms. Shaw is a Choctaw Nation enrolled tribal member/citizen with descendancy in the Muscogee (Creek) and Cherokee Nations of Oklahoma. Due, in large part, to her late father's advocacy to get 'educate...
The Dispatch
Monthly stories from the field, policy updates, and ways to take meaningful action for human rights.
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