Children's Services Council of Leon County’s Post

🎧 In this episode, Dr. Meg, the Clinical Director of Loftus Vergari & Associates, gains insight into the experiences of parenting special needs children adopted from the foster care system. 👭 Joined by Co-Hosts Tracy Spencer and Nicole Steeve, both experienced foster and adoptive parents, they discuss their personal journeys and the challenges of navigating medical and mental health care for their children. 🏥 The conversation covers the complexity of diagnoses, the impact of trauma, and the importance of support systems and advocacy for adoptive families. 🤲 Listen in to our latest episode here -> https://lnkd.in/eXR_KGNG 🌐 #LoftusVergariAndAssociates #LVA #Foster #Kinship #Adoption #Family #MedicalSupport #MentalHealthSupport

I am excited to be a part of this amazing event. Make it Make Cent$ will be there educating and informing participants about financial education and wellbeing. "Taking the fear out of finances"! Come check us out at our booth and stick around for the panel discussion. #financialhealth #youthfinancialeducation #financialcapabilities #themoreyouknow #lifeskills #personalmoneymanagement #creditreportsandscores #budgetingandsaving #wealthbuilding

When a child protection expert hits a wall… 🚨 It was a high-stakes case planning meeting, and for the first time in my career, I was stuck. As a specialist in child protection, I thought I'd seen it all. But this case was different. My client, diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, was known for being "manipulative" - a term I never liked. After all, wasn't she just trying to get her needs met? The children's nurse turned to me and asked, "How can she do it? How can she consistently have positive contact with her children?" I froze. All I could say was, "It's all in the plan." But I knew that wasn't what she meant. She was asking how her client could change, and I didn't have the answer. It wasn't until I embarked on my own healing journey from Adverse Childhood Experiences that I truly understood: real change comes through healing. This realisation transformed my approach to social work. While we're trained to assess for change, we rarely have the opportunity to facilitate deep, transformative healing work. Now, I believe that most parents want to be at their best for their children, regardless of their circumstances. But they need the right support and tools to heal and grow. We are bound by: ➡️The system we are working in ➡️Our own knowledge and experience ➡️The resources available to those we work with (and the lack of funding with which to provide them) So we rely on the limited contact we do have to make a lasting difference. I found that this change started inside me and what I brought to my practice through my years of experience. Through my own healing journey, I find myself where I am today, dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional social work and deep, transformative healing. 👉 If you're a professional working with vulnerable families, have you ever felt stuck like this? How do you balance protocol with the need for deep change? Let's connect and discuss how we can better support families in their healing journeys. Your insights could make a world of difference. #ChildProtection #SocialWork #ProfessionalDevelopment #HealingTrauma

The 2023 Generations United report on the state of grandfamilies is available. Get the current facts, findings, and recommendations here: https://ow.ly/3GA550TennF #KinshipCareMonth #kinshipcare #grandparentsraisinggrandkids #grandfamilies

🌟 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 🌟 It takes all of us, working together, to eliminate obstacles and create a purposeful, happy life for every child. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia is introducing a Theory of Change toolkit, that helps individuals, communities, and systems understand their role in supporting families. Learn more: tinyurl.com/capmonthga 🔹 Equity at the Heart: Our approach is rooted in equity, ensuring every family receives what they need, when they need it, with utmost respect. 🔹 Proactive, Not Reactive: We are working to change our systems from crisis response to proactive support, ensuring resources are accessible before families reach crisis. 🔹 Building Healthier Communities: By supporting emotionally healthy caregivers, we foster healthy childhoods and, in turn, create healthier communities. . . . . . #PCATheoryOfChange #PreventChildAbuse #EquityAndJustice #HealthyCommunities #BeTheChange #PCAGeorgia

For young parents, parenthood often presents a range of different and complex challenges compared to those experienced by older parents. These challenges include developmental maturity, reduced life experience and parenting knowledge, reduced education and employment, less stable financial situation, insecure housing, the social stigma associated with young parenting and resulting social isolation. The young parents we support at San Miguel, our child-centred family residential service, have experienced significant trauma. By providing safe residential accommodation and long-term intensive support, we can address the complex and inter-related issues to break the cycle. Read more in our latest advocacy submission here: https://ytwn.in/3XASBf6

By creating a supportive and understanding environment, families can play a crucial role in helping children heal and thrive despite the challenges they may face with the help of these practices: 1.Encourage positive relationships: Foster supportive connections with friends and mentors. 2. Incorporate cultural elements: Honor their background and maintain connections to their identity. 3. Engage in shared activities and build memories: Create positive experiences and strengthen bonds. Do you have more tips based on these 3 practices above? Share your experience in comment below! #LMSL #LifeManagementScienceLabs #LifeManagementScience #FamilyScienceLabs #FamilyScience #FosterCare #Practices

Too often our children are exposed to violence that is both senseless and harmful. Many children, those living near a tragic event, and those who will learn about the event online, through social media or television coverage, will be affected and upset. As parents and caregivers, it’s important to talk with your children about what they know. Here are a few tips to help:   🗣️ Use simple, clear, and gentle words. Stick to the facts. 🗣️ Don't give young children too much information at once. They may need to hear things more than once or want to talk in small amounts. 🗣️ Use words that match your child's age and understanding. 🗣️ Ask your children what they think or feel—they might not tell you unless you ask. 🗣️ While you should encourage your children to talk, respect their wishes if they don’t want to. 🗣️ Make sure your children aren’t seeing too much news about the event, as it can be confusing or scary. #TalkToYourKids #SchoolSafety #ParentingTips #OpenConversations #SafetyFirst #SupportOurKids #ChildWellbeing #CourageousConversations #MentalWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #LifeBridge #MentalWellness #behavioralhealth #mentalhealth #youthsupport #teensupport #adultsupport #familysupport #counseling #bridgeportct #fairfieldct #lifebridgect #youmatter

Are you balancing the needs of both your children and aging parents? Welcome to the sandwich generation, where many find themselves caring for both young children and aging parents simultaneously. This dual responsibility is no small feat and often comes with a unique set of challenges and stressors. From managing school runs and doctor appointments to navigating emotional and financial strains, the demands are high. Seeking support, planning ahead, and maintaining open communication are essential. Effective estate planning advice can help ensure both your children’s futures and your parents’ needs are secure and well-managed. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey—there’s a community and resources ready to help you every step of the way. 🌐 https://lnkd.in/g6duTpRT #SandwichGeneration #FamilyCare #EstatePlanning #FamilySupport

🌟 Introducing Haven Social Service Network! 🌟 We are excited to announce the launch of Haven Social Service Network (Coming Soon)— a place where individuals and families can find the support they need without the long waitlists or lack of resources. After seeing the challenges faced by families who struggle to access essential services, we decided to take action. At Haven, we are committed to providing holistic, inclusive services for those with physical, communication, and developmental needs. Whether you're seeking therapy, educational support, housing assistance, or financial counseling, we’re here to help you thrive — right when you need it. 💙 🚨 Why We're Here: Too many families face long waitlists and limited resources when they need help the most. Access to quality therapy, education, and support should never be delayed. We are passionate about providing immediate access to personalized care and comprehensive services for children, adults, and families. ✅ What We Offer: Therapy Services (Physical, Occupational, Speech, Psychological & Psychiatric) Specialized Support for Children with Disabilities Housing Support & Financial Assistance Educational Programs & School Advocacy Family & Mental Health Support And much more... ✨ Our mission is to make a real difference by offering services that are accessible and timely — supporting everyone to live, learn, and play to their fullest potential. 💪 #HavenSocialServices #InclusiveCare #EmpoweringFamilies #DisabilitySupport #MentalHealthMatters #ImmediateAccess #NoWaitlists #CommunityCare #TherapyServices #FamilySupport #HolisticCare