News & Library
Keep up with the latest news about Firefly Children and Family Alliance, from recent announcements to new programs and services
TEEN SUICIDE: WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month – a time when stories and resources are shared to help end stigma and help people understand how to help someone at risk. While the topic of mental health crisis and suicide is sometimes difficult to talk about, it’s essential for us to know the warning signs and what to do when someone we know may be at risk.
Teens are one of the highest at-risk groups for suicide. For this reason, parents, teachers, and caregivers all need to be equipped to support teens in crisis. Teen suicide is a growing problem and is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults age 15 – 24, second only to accidents. From the years, 2007-2017, the number of suicides for young people age 10 – 24 increased at an alarming pace from 6.8 deaths per 100,000 people to 10.6.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND IDEAS
As the summer days dwindle down, Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching. With most of us cooped up inside for the last several months, cabin fever is probably setting in strong! So, here are some tips and tricks for a safe, fun family road trip over the long weekend.
40 WINTER ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY
Winter officially begins December 21, and we know you might miss some indoor and group activities you’ve enjoyed in past years. But even if you’re socially distancing to keep you and your loved ones safe, you can still find many ways to enjoy the winter season with the family.
Kris’ Corner – Your Child’s Story
More often than not, a child comes into care, and as foster parents, we know very little about their story. And depending on their age, they may know little to nothing about their own story. But…every child should be able to have their story (as much as is possible)...
Kris’ Corner – A Pause in the Action
So…here’s the thing…I love love love sharing with each of you about our foster care journey, about some of the experiences I’ve had as both a foster and adoptive parent, and about a few new things I have learned as I have gone along on this journey. I have tapped...
Kris’ Corner – Things You’ll Need on Hand to Accept a Foster Placement
What DO you need to have to accept a placement? Well, this depends on the age range (if you have a preferred age range, which often times people do), and gender. Clearly, I will never be able to list all the things, because every child is different and their needs...
Kris’ Corner – Compassion Fatigue
I have often referenced something called “compassion fatigue”; you may have heard of it by another name, “blocked care.” Now, I’m not sure how I’ve missed this information for many years, but I’ll admit that I have…which is why I’m writing about it here so that...
Kris’ Corner – How Does Fostering Affect Other Kids in the Home
I know I have previously talked about the impact fostering has had on my own family’s biological kids…and all the worry about it that we (and many other parents) experienced prior to jumping into foster care. Today, I’d like to take it further and talk about the...
Kris’ Corner – Food Scarcity or Food Insecurity Behaviors
Often when a child first enters the foster system, the full picture is not known regarding what he/she experienced with their biological family…let alone what behavior they might exhibit as a result of their previous care. DCS and Children’s Bureau will give you as...
Kris’ Corner- Continuing Education for Foster Parents
Today, I want to talk about ongoing trainings/continuing education for foster parents because it is required for foster parents. You can’t keep your foster license if you aren’t continually learning new things about how to care for children in your care. To back up a...