By Christine Weinzapfel-Hayden, LCSW – July 29, 2022 – I know you feel it. The new school year is looming. A new school year always comes with a variety of emotions, excitement, nervousness, and dread (Looking at you, common-core math…). One of the hardest things about starting a new school year is settling kids into […]
By Kacie Shipman, LSW – July 20, 2022 – Children and adults may react to stress in different ways. Trauma and stress can cause the brain to feel challenged or threatened, and the part of the brain that reacts is often on high alert. Our instinct is to protect ourselves, often by fleeing, fighting, or […]
By Lizzie Raben, MSW – July 17, 2022 – The last few years have brought new sources of uncertainty and unforeseen challenges to everyone’s lives. As we’ve moved forward from a global pandemic, we’ve all adjusted to embrace new ways of living to accommodate the needs of our society. It takes time to adapt to change; […]
By Deena Bodine, LCSW – Updated July 7, 2022 – As a Youth First Social Worker, I have been fortunate to facilitate several Reconnecting Youth programs with small groups of high school students. One semester, the group I was working with selected some inspirational “pay it forward” activities to complete. One of the activities involved […]
By Jenna Kruse, LSW – June 29, 2022 – It’s no secret that there has been a great shift in the types of activities that children prefer. According to the Child Mind Institute, the average American child spends 4 to 7 minutes a day in unstructured play outside, while spending over 7 hours a day […]
By Heather Miller – June 22, 2022 – Author Jill Churchill once wrote, “There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” Before having children, I had many ideas of what I would and would not do as a mom. I would limit screen time, offer healthy […]
By Brooke Skipper, LCSW – June 15, 2022 – Most of us are familiar with the unpleasant feeling of being excluded. In order to raise children who celebrate diversity and include others, we need to be comfortable starting conversations about differences. These conversations don’t have to be scary! Children are innately open-minded and seek honest […]
Evansville, IN – United Way of Southwestern Indiana (UWSWI) is thrilled to announce an investment of $400,000 into improving local mental health care access for low-income residents. The Mental Health Pathway Grant is the first funding opportunity for mental health services since UWSWI shifted its focus to address root causes of poverty and help families […]
Foundation Recognized for Investment in Morgan County Youth Youth First, Inc., presented the “Heart of Youth First” plaque to the Kendrick Foundation on Thursday, May 19, at The Brickhouse on Main in Martinsville. The “Heart of Youth First” is awarded to organizations who have demonstrated a significant commitment to youth mental health, strong families, and […]
By Cynthia Ehmke, LSW – June 8, 2022 – Did you know that according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, half of American adults can’t read a book written at an 8th grade level? Although this statistic may be surprising to some, it reveals the need for learning to extend beyond the classroom. Teachers are […]