News & Library
Keep up with the latest news about Firefly Children and Family Alliance, from recent announcements to new programs and services
Kris’ Corner – What is Guardianship?
Continuing in the vein of what happens if a child is not reunified or adopted, today’s subject is Guardianship. And while it does happen, guardianship is not terribly common within the realm of foster care. It is, however, something I think many people, at least in...
KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER BREAK 2020
When the Stay-at-Home order first began, teachers and parents scrambled to figure out a way to keep school-aged children active and engaged from the safety of home. While not an ideal situation, many tried the best they could to adapt.
NOW PARENTS ARE FACED WITH THE CHALLENGE OF WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR CHILDREN DURING SUMMER BREAK, SINCE MOST IN-PERSON EVENTS, CAMPS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED OR ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE.
Kris’ Corner – What is Older Youth Services?
If you are under the impression that care for foster youth ends promptly at the age of 18, and then they are asked to leave their foster homes, please know this is not the case. This is something that has been incorrectly publicized, and Indiana DCS is doing its...
Kris’ Corner – What is Kinship Placement?
So I want to circle back to something I alluded to a couple weeks ago. Children who are not reunified with their biological family are not automatically adoptable by a foster family. There are several possible avenues that DCS may deem most appropriate. These include...
News – Indiana University receives grant to address the issue of child abuse in Indiana
Researchers at the Indiana University School of Social Work have received a grant to address the issue of child abuse in Indiana. One goal of the program is to establish family resource centers at places where families already gather, like schools and libraries. This...
Kris’ Corner – Biological parents are the underdogs we should cheer for
I don’t know about you, but I love a good “underdog” story. You know what I’m talking about, right? We’ve all seen them (or have probably at least heard of them): “Rocky”, “Hoosiers”, and “The Hunger Games” to name a few. Why, then, do we fail to cheer for the...
KIDS AND MENTAL HEALTH: FUN WAYS TO TALK TO ABOUT IT
WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS AND MENTAL HEALTH, IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION. BUT TURN THAT ON ITS HEAD, AND YOU’VE GOT AN EXPERIENCE YOU MIGHT ALL ENJOY.
Mental health means emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It determines how we handle stress, relate to other people, and make decisions. And it’s important for everyone, at every stage of life—starting in very early childhood. But it may not be something your parents ever discussed with you. So how do you know what to say?
BUILDING HEALTHY BRAINS
Babies are born with billions of tiny brain cells ready to form connections and build pathways for growth, learning, and human connection. When a young child is raised in a safe and stable environment by loving and attentive caregivers, the brain builds a strong and positive foundation for life.
Everything you are thinking and doing right now is made possible by the amazing organic super-computer in your head. Your amazing brain helps you experience the world through the five senses and then organize it all into patterns of thought and emotion. It’s also command-central for all the conscious and unconscious functions of your body.
STAYING CONNECTED THIS MOTHER’S DAY
Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day. This day of celebration and recognition originated in 1876 when Anna Jarvis heard her mother, Ann Jarvis, pray in a Sunday school lesson. She prayed that one day someone would create a memorial mother’s day and that this day would be a commemoration of the services mothers render to humanity in every field of life.
On May 10, 1908, Anna sent 500 white carnations to her church in honor of her late mother as a memorial. That day was considered to be the first Mother’s Day celebration. Later, on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of May “a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country”. Evidence suggests that the original idea for Mother’s Day was to be a day for mothers in general, rather than a day for one’s own mother. The original idea was that mothers would get together for a day of service to help other mothers less fortunate than they were.
Kris’ Corner – Foster Care does not equal adoption
So here’s the thing, for some reason when I talk to people about “foster care”, their minds often automatically switch to “adoption”. And I am here to tell you: Foster Care does NOT equal adoption. Now, are SOME children adopted out of the foster care system?...