BridgingApps’ Post

What if faith communities and health professionals joined forces to support grandfamilies—those families where grandparents or relatives step in to raise children when parents are unable to? With the right support, these families can thrive. Who are Grandfamilies? Grandfamilies are households where children are raised by grandparents, older siblings, aunts, uncles, or other relatives. Grandfamily caregivers provide stability and continuity for children and youth facing the trauma of parental separation. However, these caregivers often need additional support to meet the physical, emotional, and financial demands of their new roles. Why Support Matters: When grandfamilies receive comprehensive support, they thrive. Emotional and practical assistance helps caregivers provide a nurturing environment, promoting the overall well-being and resilience of the children. The Role of Health and Human Service Professionals: Health and human service professionals are crucial in offering the expertise and resources needed to support grandfamilies effectively. By partnering with faith communities—without showing preference to any particular faith—they can ensure that grandfamilies from all backgrounds receive the help they need. Steps to Forming Effective Partnerships: 1. Identify Common Goals: Both health professionals and faith communities aim to support and uplift families. Establish common objectives to create a unified approach. 2. Create Inclusive Programs: Design programs that respect and welcome families from all faith backgrounds, ensuring no one feels excluded or marginalized. 3. Leverage Resources: Combine the resources and expertise of both health professionals and faith communities to offer comprehensive support, including emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance. 4. Facilitate Training: Provide joint training sessions for faith leaders and health professionals to understand each other's roles and improve collaboration. 5. Engage the Community: Actively involve the grandfamilies in planning and decision-making processes to ensure the support provided meets their specific needs. Join us in building stronger, more supportive communities for grandfamilies. Visit the Fragile Families NETWORK to learn how you can contribute to making a difference. Together, we can ensure that every grandfamily has the support they need to thrive. ©2024 Dr. Glenda Clare #Grandfamilies #FaithCommunities #HealthAndHumanServices #SupportNetworks #CommunityEmpowerment #HolisticCare #FragileFamiliesNetwork #Resilience #Collaboration #SocialImpact John Dempsey Parker Michelle Jones Edelen, MBA Durham CAN (Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods) Durham Congregations In Action Molly Christiansen Sixto Cancel

A new Medi-Cal benefit called Enhanced Care Management (ECM) could make accessing care a lot smoother for some of the most vulnerable kids in California. See how the program aims to take the burden off parents and caregivers in getting life-saving care for their kids, in our latest blog digging deep into ECM: https://bit.ly/4dM9U2i

Advancing Health Equity for Children We're dedicated to continuing our initiatives focused on addressing social determinants of health for children. With years of successful screenings under our belt, we're stepping up to tackle adverse social conditions in our patient community. Our strategy includes launching tailored interventions that meet the unique needs of our patients. Each key domain features an innovative research study to create sustainable solutions. Key Areas of Focus: — Childcare — Education — Employment — Food — Housing — Legal Assistance — Transportation — Utilities Join us in our mission to resolve these critical needs and improve health outcomes for children. Together, we can make a difference. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gjjTt_Hv #HealthEquity #ChildrensHealth #SocialDeterminants #CommunityImpact

[Be Priceless partners with Love 21 Foundation to empower the Caregivers with SEED!] Be Priceless and Love 21 Foundation will join hands for the Caregivers' SEED program starting in May. This 4-week course #empower caregivers to use practical and healthy attitudes, behaviors, and capacities to improve their own and their children' holistic health - strengthening #self-worth, #Selfconnection, #emotional regulation, #MentalHealth and care, #ResonantCommunications, being #TrustedAdults for #ChildSafety, and #SafeCommunity. Sharing the same goal of #empowering diverse children and caregivers to be as they truly are. Believing that every child can harness their full potential to #flourish. Be Priceless and @Love21 both believe that caregivers play a huge role in empowering the #growth, #well-being, and #safety of their children and the children in our community. It takes a community to raise a child. As caregivers, it is important to keep growing and learning to #flourish. What is SEED?  SEED is  Self-Value, Empower, Educate, and protect from Dangers SEED course is created by 70+ professionals from more than 10 sectors including in medicine, social work, psychology and education, under the leadership of #Dr. Czarina Leung, aiming at protecting the priceless seeds and empowering the gardeners of our diverse community! We can't wait to embark on this incredible journey full of #compassion and #love! Together, we nurture a community that flourishes regeneratively. If you want to know more about #SEEDEducation and Be Priceless, please reach out to us or visit: https://lnkd.in/gm3FAJJF #BePriceless #Wellbeing #ChildProtection #childhealth #ProtectOneAnother #LoveChildren #SpreadHope #SDG #HealthEducation

A new Medi-Cal benefit called Enhanced Care Management (ECM) could make accessing care a lot smoother for some of the most vulnerable kids in California. See how the program aims to take the burden off parents and caregivers in getting life-saving care for their kids, in our latest blog digging deep into ECM: https://bit.ly/4dM9U2i

I talk about the 'Village of Care' a LOT these days - it's the vision that we have at Birdie based on the idea that 'it takes a village' to not just look after children (as the adage goes), but to look after our elders too. Today, I'm happy to share that we've now mapped that 'village' out in numbers. Our new research report is based on speaking to 1,000 older care recipients in the UK, and it's a detailed picture of how they experience and perceive the network of support that helps them maintain their independence. It shows how dozens of different people (from GPs to carpet-fitters) can form a critical part of making sure an older person is safe, healthy and happy - we explore in depth the roles they play, where the 'village' works well and where it struggles. It's a snapshot where we are as we look to build a future of person-centred, personalised care - so whether you care for someone yourself or your work involves this network of care, it's worth a read to see how you fit into the bigger picture. Link in the comments - enjoy! #socialcare #elderlycare #homecare

I am so excited to introduce MJ squared, your new online community! 🌐. Are you a parent or caregiver of a neurodivergent child? Connect, share experiences, and find support with MJ squared. Our web-based and mobile app offers a safe space to connect with others who understand. Platforms are being developed in Grande Prairie Alberta, MJ Square’s mission is to create a community where parents/caregivers caring for children with unique needs can connect, share and thrive. The platform serves as a central hub for sharing resources, experiences, and support. Key features include: Community Forums: A space for parents and caregivers to discuss challenges, share advice, and offer emotional support. Resource Directory: A comprehensive listing of local services, therapists, educators, and support groups tailored to neurodivergent children. Event Calendar: A platform to discover and participate in community events, workshops, and social gatherings. Messaging Feature: A private messaging system for direct communication and connection with other parents and caregivers. Join us today and let’s build a stronger community together. See link below and sign up for our monthly newsletter and keep up to date with launch date and other information. https://lnkd.in/gCJGXBcV This is made possible by the kind support of GPRIN Northwestern Alberta Jane Hunter-Uhryn Holly Sorgen Mariah Braun #neurodiversity #parenting #caregiving #community #support #MJsquared

Over two-day TTKC open house, we received 80 participants from the public, private, people sectors to meet the community where they are in Boon Lay. A few great questions came up, and I thought of sharing as part of my on-going reflections on participatory approach. Q: We can see that the children are deeply involved in a community health movement, but what about their caregivers? Wouldn't the impact be greater if the caregivers were also involved too? A: Of course, the impact will be greater if EVERYONE is involved! However, realistically we must know our own limits and sphere of influence. From the onset, TTKC's focus has always been about empowering children's voices and agency. This is our intentional work. We are open to caregiver contributions, but only organically and we may also decide to reject them if the work to engage parents is taking away our attention from the kids. The organisation's health is important too. We need to excel in children's engagement before expanding to intentional parent engagement, which requires another set of skills and aptitudes, and maturity of the community. Evolution takes time! Q: How long does it take for a community health movement to take root? A: In Boon Lay, we spent the first 3 years building trust and understanding before introducing any "healthy eating" agenda. Even with this foundation, it took another year of intensive action in planning, negotiating, reflecting and replanning to set up a system and routine that the community is comfortable with. And another 1 years to establish more lasting habits. Nevertheless, community work is ongoing. There will always be a new kid in town with a 1.5L bottle of coke or offering candies to make more friends. It's constant work, but it gets easier when there is a strong community foundation! Pic: Post-tour discussion, open to hosting a Pancake Challenge next year for the public if anyone is interested! Lol.

Once upon a time, there was a little lion cub full of curiosity and energy. One day, while playing near the river, he almost got swept away by the current. His wise caregiver, knowing the cub needed freedom to explore but also needed boundaries, gently explained the dangers of the river and set rules to keep him safe. The cub, feeling both understood and cared for, learned how to explore responsibly. Just like the caregiver in this story, real-life caregivers face the tough challenge of balancing compassion with discipline. While children need love, understanding, and emotional support, they also require structure and boundaries to grow into responsible adults. This balancing act can be especially difficult for vulnerable children and youth who need extra care and guidance. At Chrysalis Care Initiative, we recognize the common struggles caregivers face: • Emotional Connection vs. Authority: Caregivers often fear that strict rules will harm their emotional bond with the child, making trust and openness difficult. • Inconsistent Enforcement: Caregivers struggle to consistently apply rules without feeling too harsh, especially when children push back or face their own emotional struggles. • Individual Needs: No two children are the same. Applying discipline in a way that is both fair and effective can be overwhelming. How Can Caregivers Strike a Balance? • Clear Communication: Set clear, age-appropriate rules, and explain the reasons behind them. Children are more likely to respect boundaries when they understand the 'why.' • Empathy-Based Discipline: Validate the child’s feelings before addressing their behavior. This approach helps maintain emotional connection while correcting actions. • Consistent Structure: Establish and stick to a routine. Consistency creates a sense of safety and security for children. At Chrysalis Care Initiative, we are committed to empowering caregivers with the tools and strategies to navigate this challenging balance, ensuring that every child feels both loved and guided. Together, we can help caregivers raise resilient, well-rounded children. Good morning, I hope you all had nice weekends! #LoveAndCare #SupportOurChildren #ParentingJourney #NurturingTheFuture #BuildingStrongerCommunities #CompassionateDiscipline #CaregiverChallenges #RaisingStrongKids #EmotionalSupport #VulnerableChildren #ChrysalisCareInitiative #ChrysalisKids #EmpoweringCaregivers

The Seizure Support Foundation (SSF) has outlined 7 #Pillars to effectively harness #community #support for managing #children with #neurodevelopmental disorders: 1. #Education & #Awareness: Conducts public campaigns across schools, #communities, and media to raise #awareness and understanding, promoting #inclusivity and reducing stigma. 2. #Support #Networks: Establishes support groups for families with similar experiences, providing them with a community to share strategies, resources, and emotional support. 3. #Advocacy: Works alongside other #organizations to push for better #policies, #healthcare coverage, and funding for essential therapies and services for children with special needs. 4. #Collaboration: Brings together #schools, healthcare providers, #NGOs, #media, and community organizations to create a comprehensive and coordinated support system for these children and their families. 5. #Respite #Care: Offers temporary care services to give families much-needed breaks, which helps maintain their emotional and physical well-being. 6. #Skill #Acquisition: Provides vocational training and development #programs that equip children with the #skills they need for a productive and independent adulthood. 7. #Transition #Plans: Supports families in planning for their child’s transition to adulthood, focusing on life skills, social integration, and vocational independence. These pillars create a holistic framework to empower children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families, fostering a supportive and inclusive community. #CommunitySupport #SpecialNeeds #ChildAdvocacy