Our Blog
Stories of Empowerment, Community Insights, and How You Can Make a Difference
Gilliard and Company: A New Beginning for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Gilliard and Company is dedicated to supporting young adults aging out of foster care by offering more than just housing. By providing life skills training, mentorship, and a community of support, Gilliard and Company helps these individuals navigate the challenging transition to independence. Learn how their innovative programs are empowering foster youth to succeed in life beyond the system.
Support The Independent Living Program Today
Support our Independent Living Program and help empower young adults transitioning from foster care. Your contribution gives them crucial skills, housing, and support for a brighter future.
Understanding Stuttering in Children: Causes, Onset, and Paths to Clearer Speech
Stuttering, or stammering, is a speech disorder that impacts the fluency of communication. For children, stuttering can be a particularly challenging experience, influencing their ability to communicate effectively and affecting their self-esteem. Understanding the...
Managing Verbal Threats in Foster Care: Guidance for Foster Parents
Foster parents may encounter verbal threats from children, often stemming from trauma or adjustment challenges. This guide offers strategies to manage these behaviors, including understanding root causes, fostering a safe environment, using de-escalation techniques, and seeking professional help. By addressing these challenges with empathy and effective communication, foster parents can support the emotional well-being of children in their care.
Family Counseling in Foster Care: Building Healthy Relationships
Family counseling is a crucial support system for foster families, helping navigate transitions and build healthy relationships. This blog explores the benefits of family counseling in foster care, offering insights into how it fosters communication, understanding, and emotional resilience among family members.
Pros and Cons of Changing a Child’s Name Upon Adoption
Delve into the complex decision of changing a child’s name upon adoption. Understand the benefits and challenges, and gain insights to help navigate this important choice for adoptive families.
Exploring Public vs. Private Agencies in Foster Care Adoption
Navigating the world of foster care adoption can be complex, with both public and private agencies playing crucial roles in finding loving, permanent homes for children. Public agencies, operated by government bodies, ensure compliance with state and federal laws while offering accessibility and financial assistance to adoptive parents. Private agencies, often nonprofit or for-profit, bring flexibility, specialized services, and innovative practices to the adoption process. By understanding the unique attributes and contributions of each type of agency, prospective adoptive parents can make informed decisions to find the adoption pathway that best suits their needs and preferences.
Compassionate Discipline in Foster Care
Discipline in foster care must be compassionate and trauma-informed, eschewing corporal punishment in favor of positive techniques like redirection and pros and cons decision-making. This approach fosters a nurturing environment, aiding in the healthy development and resilience of children and young adults. Caregivers play a crucial role in building trust and supporting emotional growth, ensuring a stable foundation for the future.
Approaches To Sexual Assault Allegations In The Foster Care System
Handling allegations of sexual assault in foster care requires sensitivity and expertise. This guide offers a trauma-informed approach for foster parents and mandated reporters, detailing steps to take when allegations arise, ensuring safety, and supporting all involved parties. Understanding and applying trauma-informed practices can help manage these challenging situations with empathy and effectiveness. Learn how to navigate these situations to protect and support children in foster care, while adhering to legal and ethical standards.
From Uncertainty to Stability: My Foster Care Experience
Meta Title: My Foster Care Journey: The Importance of Consistency, Permanency, and Support
Meta Description: Explore the critical role of consistency, permanency, and having someone to talk to in the foster care system, as told through a personal journey.
Excerpt:
Navigating the foster care system from the age of 14 to 21 taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of consistency, permanency, and support. Consistent routines provided stability amidst the uncertainty of changing placements, while the lack of permanency left a lasting impact on my sense of belonging. The support of caring individuals, whether foster parents, caseworkers, or therapists, became a lifeline, helping me express my fears and build resilience. My story underscores the essential role these elements play in the lives of foster youth, helping them thrive despite the challenges.
Understanding Stuttering in Children: Causes, Onset, and Paths to Clearer Speech
Stuttering, or stammering, is a speech disorder that impacts the fluency of communication. For children, stuttering can be a particularly challenging experience, influencing their ability to communicate effectively and affecting their self-esteem. Understanding the...
Managing Verbal Threats in Foster Care: Guidance for Foster Parents
Foster parents may encounter verbal threats from children, often stemming from trauma or adjustment challenges. This guide offers strategies to manage these behaviors, including understanding root causes, fostering a safe environment, using de-escalation techniques, and seeking professional help. By addressing these challenges with empathy and effective communication, foster parents can support the emotional well-being of children in their care.
Family Counseling in Foster Care: Building Healthy Relationships
Family counseling is a crucial support system for foster families, helping navigate transitions and build healthy relationships. This blog explores the benefits of family counseling in foster care, offering insights into how it fosters communication, understanding, and emotional resilience among family members.
Pros and Cons of Changing a Child’s Name Upon Adoption
Delve into the complex decision of changing a child’s name upon adoption. Understand the benefits and challenges, and gain insights to help navigate this important choice for adoptive families.
Exploring Public vs. Private Agencies in Foster Care Adoption
Navigating the world of foster care adoption can be complex, with both public and private agencies playing crucial roles in finding loving, permanent homes for children. Public agencies, operated by government bodies, ensure compliance with state and federal laws while offering accessibility and financial assistance to adoptive parents. Private agencies, often nonprofit or for-profit, bring flexibility, specialized services, and innovative practices to the adoption process. By understanding the unique attributes and contributions of each type of agency, prospective adoptive parents can make informed decisions to find the adoption pathway that best suits their needs and preferences.
Compassionate Discipline in Foster Care
Discipline in foster care must be compassionate and trauma-informed, eschewing corporal punishment in favor of positive techniques like redirection and pros and cons decision-making. This approach fosters a nurturing environment, aiding in the healthy development and resilience of children and young adults. Caregivers play a crucial role in building trust and supporting emotional growth, ensuring a stable foundation for the future.
Voices of Change
Dive deeper into the heart of our mission and be the first to hear about the inspiring journeys of the young adults we support, upcoming events, and ways you can make a difference. Joining our newsletter means you’re not just a spectator but part of our community committed to creating positive change. Receive updates directly to your inbox, filled with stories of hope, opportunities for involvement, and insights into our programs that are empowering young adults towards a brighter future. Let’s continue building a foundation of support, education, and love.