Varsity Brands’ Post

What can families and professionals learn from your lived and/or professional experience? ✳️Ways to improve policy and enhance practices for families whose children have or are at risk of experiencing behavioral health and/or substance use challenges. ✳️Acquire skills and strategies that will improve outcomes for families and their children. ✳️Gain knowledge of best practices, and latest research in children’s mental health, substance use and related fields. ✳️Enrich understanding of different perspectives and common goals in support of all children, youth, and families Consider being a presenter at our 35th Annual Conference this year! Just remember, our deadline for proposals is less than three weeks away. Learn more: https://ow.ly/xMOE50Re8tE

Hands down my favourite infographic at the moment. Such a need to reframe our thinking and response to 'behaviour' in a neurodiverse society where pressures, trauma, judgement and misunderstanding make school experiences all the more challenging for our children. 'Kids do well if they can' - get onboard and sign up for one of Ross Greene's face to face or online workshops this year in Aus. It's time to build upon strengths-based approaches in schools, removing barriers for phenomenal results. https://lnkd.in/gNJTde4g

If you're free on any of these dates, For All Ages is part of a collaborative panel to end loneliness. I'll be speaking at the 2/28 panel discussion at the University of St. Joseph, along with Dr. Sowmya Kurtakoti (Chief of Geriatrics at Hartford Hospital), several of the university's students, and other wonderful panelists. The panel will be moderated by Deb Bibbins, JD, MBA. If you're interested in hearing more about the future of social connection in addressing loneliness, learn more about the panel at the link below!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have less stress? More time that you could actually help students learn? Every month, we get emails saying “I need strategies to use to help me identify students with trauma.” Guess what? Everyone is helped when you assume they all have histories. It’s one less “sort” you face. Simple, actionable strategies that work. They’ve helped educators in the toughest situations: Africa, Residential Treatment Programs, and Title 1 schools. More strategies, more time you can help students learn, more joy in the process. The Trauma Informed Academy® for Educators offers on-site and hybrid learning to help educators as individuals, or the full staff master trauma-informed education and brain-based teaching in multiple configurations. As fourth generation educators, we know what it takes to be a teacher—and how this curriculum helps improve educators’ lives at work and at home. Learn more at The Trauma Informed Academy for Educators (https://lnkd.in/dnbKGVUM) or schedule a call with Elizabeth Power, M.Ed., Founder of The Trauma Informed Academy at https://lnkd.in/dCmRPpb.

🚀 New Blog Alert!🚀 I’m excited to share my latest blog post: "Signs Your Child May Benefit from Early Intervention." Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child's development, and recognizing the signs early is crucial. In this post, I discuss various indicators that parents and caregivers should look out for, empowering you with the knowledge to seek help when needed. ✨ Read the full article to learn more about the importance of early intervention and how to support your child's growth and development. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gdnjVixT Your child's future is bright, and early intervention can help pave the way! Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 💬

The dedication of early childhood professionals who tirelessly address the unique needs of children and families results in a unique challenge - compassion fatigue. Professionals in any field are at risk of burnout, but compassion fatigue specifically affects those who provide care to others. Learn more and discover ways to combat it: https://bit.ly/4b7Ctpc

Compassion fatigue, moral distress, feeling like your hands are tied, feeling that not only can you not do enough but you can’t even do what you are supposed to do. Healthcare and social service personnel are dealing with this daily. Add in administrative burden and other burnout factors and you have crumbling healthcare and social services systems. Relief isn’t coming because we need policy and system level change that is felt at all levels. Change management requires urgency. How much more is needed before action is taken to support all caregivers (including informal caregivers)?

The risk of experiencing compassion fatigue, burnout, or secondary traumatic stress increases for early childhood professionals working with traumatized populations. Explore ZERO TO THREE's "Buzzwords Explained: Compassion Fatigue" resource below, and discover additional resources curated by CalTrin for prevention and intervention in this blog post: https://lnkd.in/gwqK7rfM

Yesterday, we talked about the importance of early diagnosis and overcoming denial and isolation. Today, let's focus on our second pillar: Personalized Guidance. Understand how crucial it is to recognize and nurture your child’s unique strengths. Personalized guidance is about tailoring support to your child’s specific needs, helping them thrive in their own way. Here’s how you can embrace Personalized Guidance: Identify Strengths: Take time to observe and understand your child’s interests and strengths. What activities do they enjoy? What skills do they excel in? Use these insights to guide your support and encouragement. Tailor Activities: Customize activities and learning experiences to align with your child's strengths and interests. This can boost their confidence and engagement. Collaborate with Professionals: Work with therapists, educators, and other professionals who can provide tailored strategies and support based on your child’s individual needs. Remember, no one knows your child better than you do. Trust your instincts and advocate for the support that best suits your child’s unique journey. Stay tuned as we continue to explore more pillars to support you and your child. Together, we can navigate this journey with confidence and strength.