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 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?...
TOOLS TO THRIVE
While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime1, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency – and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.
This May is Mental Health Month, Families First is highlighting #Tools2Thrive – what individuals can do daily to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles, support those who are struggling, and work towards a path of recovery. One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screening. It’s a quick, free, and a private way for people to assess their mental health.
TIPS FOR COUPLES WORKING TOGETHER IN THE HOME
Couples all over the world are finding themselves in situations they never thought they would be in, for better or for worse. Self-quarantine with your partner, for weeks or even months, is a new element that is being added to the “make or break” relationships of today. So how do couples keep their relationship alive?
IS IT PUNISHMENT, OR DISCIPLINE?
When I hear the word punishment I think about when I was a little girl and having to clean my room on a sunny day; I felt like my parents hated me because they didn’t let me play with my friends. I also remember the arguments I had with my parents about curfews in high school. It felt so unfair when my friends didn’t have to be home as early as I did. When I reflect on my childhood, I don’t think about the spankings that I received as they were far and few between, or getting my mouth washed out with soap for calling my Dad a bad name. Maybe it was because I felt I deserved the punishments more when I understood what I was doing was wrong, rather than just a quick spanking without any explanation.