In our trainings for kin, foster, and adoptive families, we practice a variety of mindfulness techniques because we know that awareness helps us support children and youth who are struggling.
An Unexpected Mindfulness Tool Read More »
Can you think of a time when optimism helped you build a bridge beyond a challenging situation? What helped you feel optimistic, especially if things were hard? Share your thoughts with a friend or loved one…
Optimism in the Face of Adversity Read More »
Our Caregiver Connections Conference, held on May 9th at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vermont, is meant to connect, inspire, and celebrate Vermont’s kin, foster, and adoptive caregivers, along with those who work with them.
Joy in the Journey Read More »
The children in your home might be coping with a lot these days. Here are some resources to help you support their physical and emotional well-being.
Supporting Kids Who Feel Anxious Read More »
As we head into these next few weeks of holidays and kids being off of school, here are three things you might want to keep in mind: …
Three Things to Keep in Mind This Season Read More »
If you are a kinship caregiver, take a moment to breathe deeply and appreciate the good you are doing—even, or maybe especially, if raising your relatives sometimes feels challenging. If you are a friend or community member, consider ways you might be able to support the kinship caregivers in your life. Sharing dinner together sometimes, helping a child with homework, or offering a listening ear may benefit you as well as the families you support. If you work with kinship families, take some to appreciate the hard work you’ve already done.
Uplifting Kinship Care Families Read More »
The children and youth in your care might already struggle with anxiety over their own life experiences. In addition, worry may gnaw at them when there is upheaval …
Supporting Young People When Events Increase Their Anxiety Read More »
When foster care, kinship, and adoption are part of your family’s experience, many of your family members have likely dealt with experiences of ambiguous loss. This type of loss is often overlooked in our society and can lead to strong feelings and trouble coping.
Facing Ambiguous Loss Read More »
Emotional self-regulation takes practice. And it’s one of the most important things you can do as a child welfare worker or kin, foster, or adoptive family member. Remember that the young people you care for and work with often attune with you—so your well-being also has a good chance of increasing their well-being. And when you model emotional self-regulation techniques and explain what you’re doing, children and youth notice–and then they are better able to start practicing these techniques themselves.
Somatic Tools for Well-Being Read More »
At 18 and aging out of a group home, Victoria Jones is like many youth who have experienced the foster care system and failed adoptions. The jumble of care and trauma that has marked her path has left Victoria remote, on edge, and uncertain of how to trust herself or others. For years, she has believed that her challenges mean she is not worth a vibrant life.
