The Link Minnesota’s Post

First, there is a commission that reviews the guidelines for child support every 4 years. The guidelines are based on the cost of raising children. Those costs include parents driving more to/from school or an extracurricular activity, the cost of those activities, larger homes that need more heat, more milk or food in the fridge, school fees, cough syrup when a kid gets sick, co-pays for the doctor, clothes, haircuts, etc. Every parent incurs those additional costs. For more information on child support in Colorado: https://loom.ly/9wrKyMw

Did you know nearly 67% of American adults don't have a will? If we apply that concept to followers on our platforms, that means nearly 5,000 people who care about children in our community aren’t prepared to protect what matters most. If you’re one of those people, we’d love to help you change that during #NationalMakeAWillMonth. We've partnered with FreeWill to offer a free, online estate-planning tool that will help to secure your legacy. You can include Safe Children Coalition if you so desire, but that’s not required for you to use the free tool. If you decide to include Safe Children Coalition in your plans, you can support our mission and make a lasting impact on the lives of children in our community. Learn how: sccfl.org/legacy-gifts

As you prepare your programming for the new school year, consider joining one of our professional connection opportunities. You can participate in one or several, and we encourage you to invite other staff, volunteers, and students/interns as well. These opportunities provide a valuable space for collaboration in our shared mission to support children, teens, and families who are grieving. Explore the different options below or visit nacg.org/membership to learn more. • • • 📞 Networking Calls: In networking calls, the conversation is open to ask questions and have discussions with other NACG members. Members can register for the calls at https://lnkd.in/gKWkKNmg. 💬 Discussion Hubs: Discussion hubs are an opportunity for NACG members to meet in small groups on a variety of specific topics. Members can get the links for the calls at https://lnkd.in/gXxe-M_4. ⭐️ Affinity Groups: Affinity Group calls are confidential, member-led forums for childhood bereavement professionals from specific communities to openly share experiences related to our work in childhood bereavement. Calls are scheduled on a regular basis and you will receive an invite ahead of the scheduled call. Get the form to register for the call at https://lnkd.in/gSR6H_gN.

This World Children’s Day, let’s redefine what it means to support children in need. Taking care of a child means going beyond meeting basic needs like food and financial assistance. While these are essential for survival, they are only the beginning. This is why our programs are designed to provide orphans with more than just material support. We host events and opportunities for kids to come together in safe, nurturing environments. Through recreational activities, social engagement, and community building, these children can heal from trauma, develop emotional well-being, and rediscover the wonder of being kids. The impact is profound. When children are given a chance to play and connect with their peers, they gain a sense of belonging and purpose that goes far beyond immediate relief. These experiences help them build the confidence and emotional strength needed to heal and thrive. This World Children’s Day, we invite you to join us in empowering children to dream again; because every child deserves more than just a future - they deserve a childhood. Click the link to help children: https://lnkd.in/giMmDdvy

🌟 Empowering Nonprofits to Maximize Their Mission 🌟 At SpiceX, we believe that nonprofits should be able to focus on their mission, not get bogged down by complex workflows and administrative burdens. That's why we're passionate about partnering with organizations to create efficient, scalable solutions through our low-code/no-code platform. A few examples that show the difference SpiceX makes: Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired used our platform to streamline their case tracking and reporting processes, which improved visibility and accelerated reimbursement. This allows them to redirect more time and resources to their clients. Childhelp.org, a vital resource for children in need, leveraged SpiceX to simplify operations, reducing overhead and allowing their team to devote more energy toward their mission. Nonprofits deserve technology that amplifies their impact, and with SpiceX, they get a solution that's adaptable, scalable, and requires minimal technical lift. We’re proud to support these organizations and look forward to empowering many more. 👉 If your nonprofit could benefit from a solution like this, let’s connect and explore how we can support your mission. We have a special program for nonprofits that make an impact. ❤️ #Nonprofit #Impact #LowCode #NoCode #TechForGood #Innovation #SpiceX #MissionDriven #CaseStudy

Let’s clear the air: Charter schools are NOT private schools—they’re FREE public schools funded by local, state, and federal dollars (state and federal only for state charter schools). In Georgia, 95% of charter schools are born from grassroots community efforts—and none are for-profit. School choice isn’t about division—it’s about options! Whether it’s traditional schools, innovation schools, magnet schools, charter schools, microschools, private schools, or homeschooling, every family deserves the right to choose what works best for their child. Let’s educate, not divide. #CharterSchoolsArePublicSchools #educationforall

🎄 The holidays can be exciting and overwhelming for kids. Here are some simple tips from our recent monthly column to help children enjoy the season without the stress: 1️⃣ Prepare them for upcoming events. 2️⃣ Focus on the joy of giving, not just receiving. 3️⃣ Teach them to give back to the community. ↪️https://loom.ly/_oJczug

Stability is key for unhoused students' success. This blog explores how prioritizing school safety and consistency can boost attendance, learning, and overall well-being for students experiencing homelessness. https://lnkd.in/guFeZRVQ

Exciting News for educators and others working directly with youth! 🌟 ThinkGive is a MA-based nonprofit that offers SEL programs that empower elementary and middle school youth (K-8) to consider other perspectives, build meaningful connections with a wide range of people, and cultivate the belief they can positively impact their own lives and the lives of others. Students who have participated in their program report strong increases in feelings of connection, belonging, self-esteem, and empowerment. Their model is to Train the Trainer, partnering with educators in schools and youth-facing organizations whose missions align and who might need a curriculum to help advance their social and emotional learning and character-building goals. Importantly, they have an SEL for Every Child Fund initiative that allows them to partner with and provide programming to schools/organizations at no cost. They are focused on finding great partner implementation sites to bring high-quality SEL to youth who otherwise might get little or none. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out and I can make the connection. Learn more about ThinkGive: https://lnkd.in/eSjavwRG

Today, I cried. 😢 Not out of defeat, but from the overwhelming mix of elation and exhaustion that comes when hard-fought battles finally bear fruit. For the past year, my team and I have pushed relentlessly to increase our number of Level 1 licensed homes to 40%—a milestone that allows us to unlock crucial federal funding 💸 for relatives and non-relatives caring for children. This funding isn’t just a number on a page; it’s lifelines for families 👨👩👦👦 who step up in times of need, often without the resources they require. But the journey wasn’t easy. We faced system barriers 🚧 that seemed insurmountable, navigating a maze of challenges day in and day out. The amount of blood, sweat, and tears 💪😓 that have gone into achieving this goal is immeasurable. Social services is a calling 📞 that demands more than just time; it demands heart, resilience, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right for children and families. As I sit here, reflecting on what we’ve accomplished, I am reminded that the work we do isn’t just about meeting metrics—it’s about changing lives. To every person who chooses this field, who works tirelessly behind the scenes, who faces exhaustion and keeps going anyway: You are the reason we make progress, even when the path is hard. 💙 Let’s keep pushing forward. Our work is far from done, but today, we celebrate how far we’ve come. 🏆 #ChildWelfare #Level1Licensing #RelativesAndNonRelatives #FundingForFamilies #SocialServices #PassionAndDedication