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Building Bridges Through Learning and Shared Experience
Explore articles, insights, and lived experiences focused on mental health, adoption competency, child welfare, and family well-being.
Healing in a Social Context: Why Connection Matters
Healing in a Social Context: Why Connection Matters Healing is often perceived as a personal journey, something we undertake alone, within ourselves. While this perspective holds some truth, healing is profoundly influenced by those around us. As social...
Embracing Normalcy: Finding Balance in Mental Health and Growing Up
Embracing Normalcy: Finding Balance in Mental Health and Growing Up We’re diving into a super important topic that affects many young people in care: normalcy and mental health. As young people navigate the ups and downs of life, it’s essential to reflect on...
The Complex Relationship with Medication: Insights from Foster Care Youth
The Complex Relationship with Medication: Insights from Foster Care Youth Navigating mental health as a youth in foster care can be incredibly challenging, particularly when it comes to the use of medication. While many young people access mental health services and...
Promoting Mental Health for Families and Children
Promoting Mental Health for Families and Children Written by Erin Bader We are focused on mental wellness this month to recognize the critical importance of addressing mental health. Mental wellness is the ability to manage life’s stresses, adapt to change, and...
The Heart of Visitation: A Youth Perspective on Connection and Mental Health
The Heart of Visitation: A Youth Perspective on Connection and Mental Health Navigating the child welfare system is like walking a tightrope. On one side, there’s the hope of stability and safety; on the other, the painful reality of separation from family and...
Adult Trustworthiness and How It Affects Youth Participation in Mental Health Services
Adult Trustworthiness and How It Affects Youth Participation in Mental Health Services Written by Cristina Tanzola and Sepherina Latthium The majority of young people who spend time in foster care have experienced mental health services in some capacity. However,...
How Adoption Competency Supports Young People: Alex’s Perspective
How Adoption Competency Supports Young People: Alex's Perspective Adoption is often celebrated as a new beginning, but for many youth, it's a complex jou ey filled with layered emotions and experiences. Part of the process is working with providers who understand...
Addressing Grief in Preparation for Permanency
Addressing Grief in Preparation for Permanency Exploring a Young Person’s Emotional Journey to Permanency Permanency, whether through adoption, reunification, or guardianship, can be seen as the ultimate goal for youth in foster care. However, for many, the jou ey...
Addressing Complex Mental Health Needs in Foster Care: A Youth Perspective
Addressing Complex Mental Health Needs in Foster Care: A Youth Perspective Written by Sepherina Latthium When we hear the term "Complex Mental Health Needs," it can evoke a wide range of thoughts. For young people with experience in the foster...
National Center Launches Intensive Technical Assistance in Illinois
National Center Launches Intensive Technical Assistance in Illinois The National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services is forging a path toward increasing access to adoption competent mental health care. The Center is excited to announce its...
This Week in the News 10/28-11/1
This Week in the News 10/28-11/1 Written by Erin Bader It’s been a busy week in the news for children’s mental health. These articles examine the ongoing mental health needs and various efforts to address them in some States. A Growing Crisis in...
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Interested in contributing to our blog? We welcome perspectives from professionals, systems leaders, policymakers, advocates, and youth and families working to advance adoption competent mental health. If you’d like to contribute to a future blog, please reach out to us at bader@adoptionsupport.org
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