We provide upstream interventions and strategies for reducing adverse childhood experiences and promoting resilience so children can have positive, supportive, and healthy relationships. Our mission is to equip professionals with innovative tools to create lasting change in communities.
Training programs designed to empower professionals, caregivers, educators, and youth with tools to prevent trauma and support child well-being.






UP FOR CHAMPIONS, in partnership with THE UP INSTITUTE, supports the professionals working to solve child abuse and neglect globally, through advocacy, public education, and family support programs. It is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that aims to create safe and healthy communities for children and their families. UP FOR CHAMPIONS works with community, state, and national organizations to expand and disseminate knowledge about child abuse and neglect.
We provide upstream interventions and strategies for reducing adverse childhood experiences and promoting resilience so children and families can have positive, supportive, and healthy relationships.
Publications
Expert Testimonies
Presentations
Professionals and Teens Trained
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with everyone at the conference.
The facilitators were absolutely wonderful!
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
All of the lecturers were good but LeBlanc somehow managed to turn some of the most horrific things a human can do into stories of hope and resilience and not everyone can do that.
Tulane CAST Student
I enjoyed gaining insight from these extremely knowledgeable [trainers]. I appreciated the opportunity to share solutions to challenges and gaining a different perspective. This was a wonderful training and I definitely look forward to next year!
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
Le Blanc’s lectures were always an absolute pleasure I love how she made this course feel interactive.
Tulane CAST Student
The UP Institute advanced victim advocacy training was well coordinated, informative and enjoyable. I appreciate the time and attention to detail that was provided by both Viola and Stacie. It was an honor to have been trained by such a powerhouse team!
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
This training was absolutely AMAZING! I learned so much. I finally feel like I and the field of advocacy was validated. That validation will push me so far into the future and help so many families. Biggest take away was "change the language, change the game".
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
Thank you so much for the opportunity to gain more knowledge as an advocate.
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
The information was very in-depth and specific and I have never been able to get that training before. I am very grateful for facilitators.
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
Professor LeBlanc's lectures are super engaging as she ties in many of her life experiences in working in the legal system.
Tulane CAST Student
Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. Throughout this internship, I've learned a lot about legislative advocacy and program development. I've also intensified my passion for law, especially in terms of advocating for children and other vulnerable populations. I hope we can keep in touch because I still have so much to learn from you!
Vincie Wing Sum, Intern 2021
This training exceeded my expectations. It was truly amazing, and it was so wonderful to be able to be challenged and have content that is on an appropriate level and skill set for advocates! The facilitators were a veritable font of knowledge.
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
LeBlanc is now my favorite professor I have ever taken. She is truly an amazing professor and is genuine about teaching her content and makes it engaging and not boring for the class.
Tulane CAST Student
Professor LeBlanc's lectures are super engaging as she ties in many of her life experiences in working in the legal system.
Tulane CAST Student
We were delighted to have you as our guest speaker at the Justice Catherine D. Kimball Summer Institute. The teachers wanted to extend the time allotted - this is a great compliment to you!
The trainers and training content kept my attention for both days.
CAC Family and Victim Advocate
Stacy Leblanc is literally my favorite person ever! She is so passionate and positive and I love her way of teaching. You can really tell that she is an experienced presenter!
Tulane CAST Student
Wishing you could join us in sunny San Diego tomorrow and hope you are warm and safe wherever you are. #trainup ... See MoreSee Less

The extraordinary work of LADCFS' child protection team is amazing particularly their proactive approach to training and implementing updated policies to achieve better outcomes for children and families. We appreciate the enthusiasm to train with UP!!! ... See MoreSee Less

1 CommentsComment on Facebook
“Mothers often witness the hardest emotions not because they cause them, but because they are the safe space where healing begins.
This insight reminds parents that emotional closeness plays a powerful role in a child’s neurological development. A mother’s presence literally reshapes how the brain processes stress.” #UpstreamSolutionsNew neuroscience research shows that children save their hardest emotions for their mothers because their nervous system physically changes in her presence. Brain scans reveal that when a child is reunited with their mother during moments of stress, the stress circuits in the brain deactivate up to five times faster compared to being comforted by anyone else. As the stress response drops so quickly, the emotions that were held inside finally spill out, leading to crying, meltdowns, or sudden emotional release.
This happens because a mother acts as a child’s primary “regulating force.” Her voice, touch, scent, and presence trigger deep biological responses that calm the amygdala and signal safety to the nervous system. Once the body no longer feels threatened, the child can let go of the emotional weight they had been carrying, even if it appears as overwhelming feelings.
Researchers emphasize that this behavior is a sign of secure attachment, not misbehavior. It means the child feels safe enough to express what they suppressed while managing the outside world. Mothers often witness the hardest emotions not because they cause them, but because they are the safe space where healing begins.
This insight reminds parents that emotional closeness plays a powerful role in a child’s neurological development. A mother’s presence literally reshapes how the brain processes stress, proving that love and connection are among the strongest regulators of a child’s emotional world.
#HealthInsights #TheInsightHub #fblifestyle #Wellness #Parenting
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0 CommentsComment on Facebook
✨ Happy Holidays from UP! ✨As the year comes to a close, we’re grateful for our community of champions—professionals, partners, and supporters—who show up every day to protect children and strengthen families. May this season bring you rest, connection, and renewed hope. Thank you for all you do, and we look forward to continuing the work together in the year ahead. 💙🎄 ... See MoreSee Less



3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Day 1 of training Upstream on Strengthening the Trauma Informed Response to Child Sexual Abuse. Grateful for these professionals and all they do for children and families. #upstreamsolutions #upinstitute ... See MoreSee Less


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🌟 This Giving Tuesday, help us stand for children.
UP FOR CHAMPIONS supports the professionals working to solve child abuse and neglect. Our Trees for Champions initiative honors children lost to abuse while uplifting the frontline professionals dedicated to protecting kids every day. Your donation helps amplify the voices of children, families, and frontline heroes by raising awareness and supporting programs that change lives.
🌱 Give today and plant hope for tomorrow:
👉 theupinstitute.com/trees/
Every contribution matters. Please like, share, and spread the word — because every child deserves a champion. #upforchampions #upinstitute #treesforchampions #NoHitZone #GivingTuesday
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