Juliana H. Chen, MD’s Post

"UNLOCKING SUCCESS: A Masterclass for Parents of Blind/VI Children" Date: October 2, 2023 Time: 12:00 PM (Eastern Time) Hello Friend! At CRBF, we are committed to providing support and resources that empower families affected by retinal blindness. Today, we are thrilled to announce a unique opportunity that has the potential to transform your child's educational journey and future success. Introducing the "UNLOCKING SUCCESS: A Masterclass for Parents of Blind/VI Children" Date: October 2, 2023 Time: 12:00 PM (Eastern Time) Hosted by CRBF CEO Kristin Smedley and her colleagues, this masterclass is designed specifically for parents like you who are navigating the challenges of raising children with blindness or visual impairment. Here's why you should mark this date on your calendar: Why This Masterclass Is Crucial: Empowerment: Learn how to guide your child towards success in a world not always built for succeeding without sight. Real-World Experience: Kristin Smedley, our CEO, has firsthand experience in successfully navigating the public school system for her blind children. Alarming Statistics: Understand the stark realities faced by blind students - a 70% high school dropout rate, an 85% college dropout rate, and a 70% unemployment rate. Comprehensive Strategies: Gain valuable insights into strategies for success in the classroom and beyond. The best part? This masterclass is FREE for all attendees. We are passionate about equipping parents like you with the tools and knowledge to help your children thrive. Bonus for CRBF Families and Supporters: Kristin Smedley will host a post-masterclass Q&A exclusively for CRB1 affected families. This is your chance to get answers to specific questions related to the topics covered in the masterclass and tailored to your CRB1 kiddo. Keep an eye out for the date and time of this invaluable session - coming soon! Don't miss out on this transformative opportunity! REGISTER NOW and take the first step in unlocking your child's full potential: Register Here https://lnkd.in/drTtenHQ Together, we can change the trajectory for our children and pave the way for a brighter, more successful future. Join us on October 2nd for the "UNLOCKING SUCCESS" masterclass and let's embark on this empowering journey together. If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. With gratitude, The CRBF Team

In this guest essay for NJ Spotlight News, Burke Foundation Program Officer Jessica Nugent and Mary Reece, Director of Special Projects at NJPSA/FEA explain how Healing Centered Engagement is one effective tool for addressing school children's mental health needs. The essay outlines the great need for the Healing Centered Engagement (HCE) Project for New Jersey Schools. Nationwide, 44% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless and 29% said they seriously considered attempting suicide. HCE is an important solution that schools can implement to make students feel accepted and safe. This project provides training and coaching for every adult who touches the life of a student: from teachers to bus drivers to volunteers, training more than 4,000 staff in 80 schools since 2020 with pooled support from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, Princeton Area Community Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and New Jersey Health Initiatives. While those who receive the training are not expected to provide therapy to students or replace mental health professionals, the training helps people who work with children to recognize signs of serious mental health conditions and when and where to connect a child for professional evaluation. The program also provides community connections and resources to help students and their families both inside and outside the classroom. HCE, while not minimizing the effects of trauma in children’s lives, focuses on how communities can work together to advance healing. After all, it takes a village to raise a child. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g4fddgUx

As parents, we cherish the dreams we hold for our children as they step into adulthood. Yet, the landscape they're navigating has shifted, prompting a fresh perspective. Recent research illuminates a new reality: young adults are taking unconventional routes to independence, sometimes circling back home for an extended stay after their initial departure. In today's dynamic world, the process of emptying the nest presents fresh challenges, especially when layered with a history of trauma. Crafting a seamless transition requires a collective family effort, a united front that provides unwavering support. Amidst the interplay of various factors, parents and their children may question the journey to true independence as adults. Leslie Hales, LICSW, PIP will be our guide in the art of emptying the nest. Join us as we address meeting the intricate needs of our children, and unveiling the pathways to vital support. Here's what we'll cover: 🌱 New Perspectives: Embrace the evolving landscape of young adulthood and redefine the journey to independence. 🤝 Family Dynamics: Understand how trauma history can shape the path forward, and learn to foster an environment of understanding and healing. 🧭 Navigational Tools: Gain actionable guidance on nurturing your child's independence while providing a safety net of support. 🌟 Resources Unveiled: Discover the hidden gems of assistance available to both parents and young adults, ensuring a smooth transition. Your Child's Journey, Your Guiding Hand: Register Today Don't let uncertainty cloud the way forward. Equip yourself with insights that bridge the generation gap and foster meaningful connections. Join our expert-led training to pave the way for your child's triumphant journey into adulthood. Date: September 19, 2023 Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm CST ***This webinar is available to anyone in any location, please be mindful of the timezone for this Livestream event*** Cost: FREE to all participants including Alabama DHR attendees. Other professionals seeking the 1.5 CEU credits will be assessed a $10.00 fee. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/gEci3_jk Empowerment begins with knowledge. Reserve your spot now to access invaluable insights, expert guidance, and a supportive community eager to walk this transformative journey alongside you. A brighter future awaits – let's build it together.

JSSA was awarded a $2.5 million grant by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) and the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports (Consortium) to expand JSSA’s MindCraft program, a school-based community mental health program in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). This new contract allows JSSA to provide critical access to mental health services directly in 75 elementary, middle, and high schools, up from 39 schools last year. The expanded program also provides comprehensive mental health services to over 1500 homeless students currently in MCPS and a summer camp for 50 of the students. Another exciting part of this new grant includes creating a mobile mental health unit that will travel to partner schools to provide much-needed space for mental health sessions with students during the school day. This mobile unit is the first of its kind in the County. JSSA has seen a 20% increase in the need for children and adolescent mental health services over the last year, and that number is continuing to rise. Add to that a national shortage of mental health providers who accept major insurance and Medicaid, and it’s estimated that as many as 38% of students don’t have access to mental health services in their community. As the mental health crisis among adolescents and teens continues to become more acute, schools need additional support to manage behavioral challenges in the classrooms that are hindering academic success. JSSA’s MindCraft program, in partnership with MCPS, has produced real results for students; 78% of students participating in services experience a clinically significant decrease in symptoms, with 89% of students referred engaging fully in the program to a successful conclusion. This grant will enable more students and families to receive the essential mental health services they need.

Important article from Floella Benjamin I haven’t read the whole report yet but it’s such an important issue, being more educationally aspirational and wanting to double the number of young people from care attending university. The report discusses what universities and other various organisions can do to support this aim👏 However in my experince (15yrs of fostering teens, several to uni) there is a more fundementally important issue, that is young people are not able to focus on education unless they have a secure base. It’s Maslows triangle, if they are not feeling safe and secure, if they don’t have love and belonging, if their psychological issues remain unaddressed they are not able to focus on education, it’s way up the triangle. This is why we must deliver quality skilled trauma informed fostering homes that can deliver that for them. Sadly we don’t have that right now, and young people are bounced around the system from one fostering setting to another unable to meet their needs. If we fix that, then more will go to university. #fostercare #aspirational Civitas Resources

Early childhood educators may feel challenged when planning learning experiences about health conditions. Keeta Williams article in Books as learning experiences. “Books are the easiest way. As long as they are good books,” says Susanne Gervay, a child growth and development specialist and children's author.  “Beware of preachy story books. They are like lectures which have no influence.  “Books which engage children with humour, empathy and a sense of victory are really effective.”  Gervay collaborated with Vision Australia and Good Vision for Life to write a picture book, 'The Boy in the Big Blue Glasses'. She provides teaching resources on her website relating to the themes of vision, inclusion and self-esteem.  The children’s charity Variety, the Children's Charity also asked her to write a book, 'Gracie and Josh', about children with illness and special needs. Gervay also provides a study guide for this book. Other relevant books include: Guess What? There's a Hippopotamus on the Hospital Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards OAM Some Days by Julie A. Stamm Big Tree is Sick by Nathalie Slosse Children may be interested in health conditions if they have one themselves. They may also be aware of conditions that affect their family members and friends. Children may be confused by things that happen to human bodies and need reassurance and explanations from educators.   As part of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), (https://lnkd.in/g4mPJQMg ) Children can take increasing responsibility for their own health and wellbeing (3.2), which includes the management of any health conditions. Children can respond to other people's health with respect (2.2). Events 7th April is Global Health Awareness Week & World Health Day Common health conditions include: Allergies, anxiety, asthma, autism, constipation, colds and the flu, depression, dental concerns, diabetes, ear infections, eczema, epilepsy, hay fever, head lice, injuries, mental health concerns, sinusitis, sensory processing disorders, viruses, and vision disorders. https://lnkd.in/gzRKpUYP https://www.acecqa.gov.au/ ASLA Australian School Library Association Australian Library and Information Association School Library Association NSW Primary English Teaching Association Australia (PETAA) Children's Book Council Of Australia Early Childhood Australia#kidshealth #kidsbookswelove #earlyeducation

A 2020 research report found that, "...nearly 25 million more children would be enrolled in an after-school program if one were available to them, up from 19 million in 2014. The top-cited barrier to enrollment was money: 57 percent of parents reported that programs were too expensive". After-school programs are essential to the safety and positive development of young children. We are grateful for our partners in Gurnee, Highwood/Highland Park, and North Chicago for helping us make our program available to families who need it most regardless of income and transportation. https://lnkd.in/ei2HDMN3

The first 1000 days of a child’s life are profoundly crucial for brain development. It’s during this critical period that the foundation for a lifetime of learning and growth is laid. As we champion Early Childhood Development (ECD), let’s remember that fulfilling a child’s needs during these early years is paramount. Proper nutrition, stimulating environments, and access to healthcare are vital in shaping a child’s cognitive and emotional well-being. It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background. Investing in ECD isn’t just an act of compassion; it’s an investment in the future of our communities and societies. Let’s work together to fulfill the needs of our children during these first 1000 days, ensuring a brighter and more promising tomorrow. 💡👶📚 #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #1000Days #InvestInKids #ChildhoodMatters #BrainDevelopment

Welcome to a new era in early childhood healthcare. A time when healthcare isn't just about physical fitness, but also about an overall well-being. It's time to ask a somewhat audacious question: Can we disrupt early childhood healthcare with behavioral solutions? Meet Clay, a visionary startup based in New York City, led by the dynamic trio: Alex Schinasi, Lee Rotenberg, and Omri Mendellevich. The team at Clay are bringing a truly revolutionary concept to preschool health care - detecting behavioral and developmental issues not in years, but in minutes! It's a game changer in the field of early childhood healthcare and has the potential to transform countless lives. Want to know more about Clay's groundbreaking work? Read our full article. Let's delve into the details and explore how Clay is a beacon of innovation in the world of healthcare technology. (https://lnkd.in/eTdR3wr4) Are you Ready to enter the new era of early childhood healthcare with Clay? Let's transform lives together. #Clay #EarlyChildhoodHealthcare #DisruptiveTechnology #HealthTech #Innovation #NewEraInHealthcare