Eldon Baber on Child Abuse Prevention and My Family ID

As Executive Director of the Raise Foundation, Eldon Baber has spent over 45 years working with families and children in need, building resilience, and protecting those at risk. In his words, he’s spent his time “in the trenches,” truly fighting and protecting those who need support the most. The Raise Foundation plays a critical role in child abuse prevention in Orange County, providing resources and support to families before issues arise. During an in-depth interview, Eldon shared his thoughts on the evolving challenges families face today and how organizations like his can help make a difference.

A Legacy of Service: Eldon Baber's Mission to Strengthen Families

Eldon’s career in the nonprofit sector began with a focus on working directly with high-risk youth and their families. Over time, his work has evolved into a broader focus on preventing child abuse, with a strong emphasis on proactive education and support. 

Eldon explained, “We’re not investigating or intervening after a situation has escalated. We’re working at the front end, helping families before things get out of hand. We’re trying to bolster the family, strengthen the family, protect the family, and build some resilience by helping them find the resources and tools they need.”

The Raise Foundation offers a variety of services, from parent education and emergency assistance to support programs designed to build stronger, more resilient families. With this foundation in place, Eldon and his team have seen firsthand how critical it is to get ahead of challenges before they spiral out of control. 

As he put it, “All the data shows that the outcomes for kids in intact, healthy families are far better than for those who have to enter the system. So we do a lot of work that provides all kinds of support to families that need it. We help them with housing, getting financial help, enrolling in programs to get food, finding positive family activities, or just supporting dads and helping them be the best dads they can be. It’s all connected at the end of the day.”

Related Article: How Find the Children Prevents Child Abduction with Education and Technology

The Evolving Challenges of Keeping Children Safe

As much as our world has changed over the years, one thing remains constant: parents’ desire to keep their children safe. However, the tools available to protect them have transformed significantly. 

“I serve on Orange County’s child death review teams and have been involved in cases where kids have gone missing, and it can be really tragic when you know that if their parents just had the right resources and tools, something could have been prevented,” said Eldon. “Like most communities across the country, Orange County sadly suffers from the plague of  human trafficking – and it’s not just what people think in terms of someone being held and working as a domestic worker. What we face is the juvenile that’s recruited into the sex trade, and those kids go missing. Right now in Orange County, there’s a Human Trafficking Task Force that I’m a part of, and one of the biggest issues we face is just being able to identify these kids,” he added. 

He sees My Family ID as an essential tool and resource to further his mission and combat this egregious form of abuse. “When law enforcement shows up and there are these kids that are, you know, 13, 14, 15, or 12 years old in the streets, they don’t have any ID on them. If the family had an app like My Family ID, law enforcement would be able to reference it immediately on the spot and identify them as a missing child,” Eldon elaborated. 

Eldon is an advocate for My Family because he believes it empowers parents by providing a digital record of critical identifying information about their child — accessible anytime, anywhere. Eldon believes this tool is a game-changer for modern families.

“We used to have physical fingerprint cards for kids, but we didn’t always know where they were,” said Eldon. “My Family ID changes that by giving parents immediate access to updated photos, personal details, digital fingerprints that are higher quality, and even 3D images that could be critical if a child goes missing. If you think about it, until a person is 18 or sometimes 16, there is no real digitized database of this information to use and refer to – that’s what this app is creating,” he added. 

Related Article: How to Find a Lost Child

Preventative Measures: Why Every Parent Needs My Family ID

One of the key themes throughout Eldon’s interview was the importance of being prepared – even if you believe that this could never happen to you. 

“The best advice I can give a family is to download an app like this now before you need it,” Eldon said. “The last thing you want is to wait until your child is missing to realize you don’t have the right information. In these situations, families can be their own worst enemy because a lot of people assume that this would never happen to them. But if you wait until after something happens, these tools and resources will never do you any good,” he explained.

Eldon also highlighted how My Family ID can be an invaluable resource in emergencies, saying, “In situations like human trafficking or a missing child, having up-to-date photos and identifying information right at your fingertips can make all the difference. It’s not just about protecting your child; it’s about being proactive and prepared, just in case the unimaginable happens.”

For families already under stress, such as those struggling with financial hardship or systemic challenges, the peace of mind that comes with having this kind of tool in place cannot be overstated.

“This is just one more way to build resilience,” Eldon noted, “and every tool we can offer families strengthens them. Just knowing you’re prepared and have this tool is worth it for families.”

Related Articles: How Can PTAs Prepare Parents for a Missing Child Incident?

A Partnership Focused on Protecting Kids

Eldon’s connection with My Family ID goes beyond just being an advocate for the app. It aligns directly with the Raise Foundation's mission to provide tools and resources that empower families and protect children. 

“A huge part of our work at the foundation is educating families and helping them find the tools they need,” said Eldon. “That’s why I’m so excited professionally and personally about My Family ID. How we respond to crises has fundamentally changed in the modern world, and this technology is how parents can adapt and respond effectively when the unthinkable occurs,” he explained.

The partnership between the Raise Foundation and My Family ID exemplifies the power of collaboration, with both organizations working towards the shared goal of preventing child abuse and helping families stay safe.

“Chuck, the creator of My Family ID, is incredibly philanthropic,” Eldon said. “His heart is all about protecting kids. That’s why we’re proud to be working with him, distributing this tool at our outreach events, and offering it to families in need.”

Related Article: Saving Lost Kids Shares Advice to Protect Your Children

Final Thoughts: The Simple, Life-Saving Power of My Family ID

For Eldon, it all comes down to one simple idea: preparedness. 

“This is a tool you don’t want to need, but if you do, it could save you precious time. If your child is missing and you don’t have the right information to share with law enforcement, you’re already at a disadvantage. MyFamilyID is a simple, secure way to have that data ready at a moment’s notice,” Eldon said. 

Ultimately, Eldon stresses that the app is just one part of a larger effort to build stronger, more resilient families. Whether it’s providing support and educational resources or helping families prepare for the unexpected, the Raise Foundation continues to focus on what matters most — protecting children.

“My Family ID isn’t just an app; it’s a safety net, a tool that can make all the difference when you need it most,” Eldon concluded.