Connectedly’s Post

"Overloaded: Understanding Neglect aspires to build a shared understanding of neglect, its underlying root causes, and how they overload families with stress. Neglect is a complex and wicked problem, but it’s one that we believe is preventable if we work together to reimagine how we support families overloaded by stress. Neglect is a public health crisis, as it’s the most common reason that children are separated from their families by the government. 37% of all US children experience a Child Protective Services investigation, 13% of all children have a substantiated case of maltreatment, and children of color are disproportionately represented in foster care."  An informational and motivating Podcast to build a shared understanding of neglect and an understanding of the realities that families face so we can support families and reduce family separations for reasons of neglect. https://lnkd.in/g_aCMKrq

⁉ Why Are Children Removed from Their Homes? When #children enter the #foster #care system, it’s usually because of deeply #troubling situations involving abuse and trauma. Neglect is the #1 reason children are removed from their homes, followed closely by parental drug use. These #events lead to a unique set of #emotional, #social, and #academic #challenges for these children, including feelings of grief, guilt, anger, sadness, loneliness, and anxiety, along with low self-esteem and health issues. #Understanding these challenges is the first step toward #meaningful #action. As professionals, advocates, and community members, we have a responsibility to support these children by ensuring they receive the care, resources, and #opportunities they need to #heal and #thrive. Help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 in the month of August: https://lnkd.in/eGxQYYrm Let’s make a difference, together. #FosterCareAwareness #ChildAdvocacy #EndNeglect #SupportOurYouth

When kin caregivers take on the role of raising children, they may have a complicated relationship with the child's parents. Kin caregivers have to navigate both their own relationship with the parents and the relationship between the parents and child. They are often the ones the child comes to when they don't understand why their parents aren't there. We understand that this can be a heavy load to carry for kin caregivers. That's why we are sharing resources that may be helpful to professionals who are supporting caregivers with these relationships. Take a look at both resources below, and share with anyone who may find them helpful: Helping Caregivers Address a Parent's Absence: https://lnkd.in/gQXy3JQA Navigating Family Dynamics in Kinship Families: Tips for Service Providers, created by Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network Subject Matter Expert Dr. Joseph Crumbley: https://lnkd.in/d3GzfXJh #KinshipCare #Grandfamilies

Family for Every Child NZ has launched Global Kinship Care Week, calling for urgent changes in light of the Royal Commission report. This week focuses on the essential role kinship caregivers play, often stepping in during a family crisis to care for children. The report highlights the need for better support and recognition for these caregivers, especially in New Zealand. Join the movement to amplify the voices of kinship carers and advocate for the changes they deserve. Read more about Global Kinship Care Week and the Royal Commission report here: https://t.ly/S8dTN #GlobalKinshipCareWeek #GlobalKinshipCare

Book Review Joan Ulsher's "Misplaced Childhood" Buy it here: https://lnkd.in/gKUJheJj "Eye-Opening and Essential Reading for Advocates" "Misplaced Childhood" by Joan Ulsher is an autobiographical account of her experiences in the foster care system and the abuse she endured at home. Joan's story goes beyond personal narrative, advocating for the importance of organizations like Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA). Recommendation: I recommend Joan's book to anyone interested in understanding firsthand accounts of child abuse within institutional systems. Whether you want to become an advocate for children or learn more about the realities of child abuse, this book provides important insights. It highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable children and the critical role of advocates in their protection. Emotional Impact: This book addresses a sensitive topic with honesty. Joan's willingness to share her experiences shows her commitment to helping children and their advocates. The emotional depth of her storytelling makes the reader aware of the grim realities of abuse while also offering hope and a call to action. Overall Impression: I commend Joan for turning her painful experiences into a story of redemption and community service. She tackles a subject many avoid, compelling the reader to confront the issue of child abuse. Joan shines a light on this dark topic and fights for vulnerable children, making "Misplaced Childhood" not just a memoir but a tool for awareness and change. Joan Ulsher's "Misplaced Childhood" is more than a book; it's a call to action for justice and protection for future generations. Her story reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the impact that advocacy and support can have on a child's life. This book is essential reading for anyone committed to making a difference for abused and neglected children.

Discover the world of Childhood Trauma in "AMERICA’S CHILDREN IN 100 CHARTS.   Read the book draft : https://lnkd.in/gcF-MEkE Kids At Risk Action provides an eye-opening analysis of the trauma experienced by at risk children in our communities. This comprehensive book reveals crucial insights, stories, and data demonstrating an urgent need for targeted interventions and systemic change to save and heal our youngest citizen. Key insights: Chapter IV: State Ward Children FOSTER CARE AND GROUP HOMES 1. According to the most recent federal data from fiscal year 2022, there were 368,500 children in foster care at the end of the fiscal year. This represents a decrease from 392,000 children at the end of fiscal year 2021. 2. Over the course of fiscal year 2021, an estimated 606,031 children passed through the US foster care system. This number includes both children already in the system at the start of the year and those who entered during the year. While the exact number fluctuates, there are currently around 370,000 children in the US foster care system at any given time, with over 600,000 passing through the system over the course of a year. https://lnkd.in/eNyveJrG https://lnkd.in/evcq49SF https://lnkd.in/eP_pPXWe https://lnkd.in/eugaha6x #fostercare #trauma #children

On average, children in care are moved over 18 miles away from their support networks. You might have heard of the current Gone Too Far campaign by Become, which calls on the government and local authorities to commit to stop placing children so far away from home. With a documented lack of children's home provisions and record low numbers of new foster carers joining the ranks, nothing will change without a clear plan. Sadly, the number of times children are moved inappropriately currently isn't recognised or recorded - leaving little data to analyse, which could have helped to spot areas for improvement. The bottom line is that moving children too far away disrupts their education, moves them away from trusted relationships and compounds already poor mental health outcomes. They deserve better. Follow the link and ask your MP to support #GoneTooFar. https://lnkd.in/eAfA_79k

Free, emergency child care constitutes recovery. Whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made crisis, parents should be able to focus on rebuilding while knowing their children are secure and well-cared for. According to research, children's coping abilities are frequently linked to the well-being of their caregivers. Providing this vital support reduces stress and trauma for families in distress, putting them on the path of healing. How do you think access to free, emergency child care could change recovery for families in crisis? Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Reynolds American Foundation Save the Children US Care Fund U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) WoodNext Foundation BRYSON FOUNDATION Morgridge Family Foundation The Women's Center of Wake County American Red Cross. #TraumaInformedCare #PsychologicalFirstAid #CrisisIntervention #ChildCare

Growing up is hard, especially for kids in middle and high school who are juggling school, friendships, and figuring out who they are. Now imagine adding the responsibilities of caring for a sick or disabled family member on top of that. Caregiving Youth often face this challenge in silence, carrying the heavy burden of secrecy because they fear that sharing their role could bring unwanted attention or intervention, like child protective services or judgment from peers. It's a tough reality that no kid should have to navigate alone. This fear of destabilizing their home life keeps many silent, even as they face immense challenges. To break this cycle, we need to create safe, stigma-free spaces in schools and healthcare settings where these youth feel empowered to share their stories without fear. Proactively identifying students in middle and high school who are caregivers allows us to surround them with the right support systems, ensuring their academic success, mental health, and family stability. By building trust and offering targeted resources, we can turn what feels like a risk into a lifeline, helping these incredible young people thrive while balancing their responsibilities. No child should have to face caregiving alone. As we approach the end of the year, we hope you'll consider supporting our efforts to continue making a difference for caregiving kids. Visit our website to explore ways you can get involved—whether by donating, partnering, or advocating for Caregiving Youth. As always, thank you to Michael Connor for this photo of one of our caregiving students at CYP's Camp Treasure this summer, which brings valuable respite, friendship, and connection opportunities. #CaregivingYouth #Caregiving

When children cannot live safely with parents, kinship care is often the next best option. It means children can remain safely in their family, with people who know and love them, instead of living with strangers in the care system. There are more than 153,000 children across England being raised in kinship care. Research shows it leads to better outcomes for children compared children raised by strangers in the care system. This includes for physical and mental wellbeing, stability in living arrangements, achievements in school and higher levels of employment in later life. Yet too often kinship care is undervalued and under supported. Opportunities to explore how a child’s family and friends can help are missed or come too late in the day, when the situation has already reached crisis point. Record numbers of children are currently in the care system. But we believe more could be living safely and thriving in kinship care with the right support. What does it mean to welcome children into your home as a kinship carer? This #KinshipCareweek, we asked our kinship carers' panel and this is what they told us... What does kinship care mean to you? We’d love to hear from you… https://lnkd.in/eKSJUhhS #ThisIsKinshipCare