Advice from Our Professionals

Informative articles by Youth First Social Workers

Navigating Divorce with Children

By Emily Bernhardt, LSW Divorce impacts both parents and children within a family. Depending on a child’s age when divorce occurs, it can affect a child’s behavior in different ways. Learning the most common effects of divorce can…

Virtual Learning and the Pandemic’s Effect on Educational Achievement

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By Kelsey Weber, LCSW The 2022-2023 school year is in session and many teachers are witnessing the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on learning. With students returning to in-person learning, teachers are noticing a large learning gap. According…

The Importance of Manners and Self-Respect

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By Katherine Baker, LCSW, LCAC Most people are looking for ways to be more confident in their daily lives. But what exactly is self-confidence? According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Self-Confidence is defined as confidence in oneself…

Talk to Your Teen about the Dangers of Vaping

Counties, Youth First Blog

By Amanda Haney, LSW According to the CDC, electronic cigarettes or vapes have been the most used tobacco product by youths since 2014. Many teens believe that partaking in e-cigarettes or vapes is “no big deal.” Due to this perception,…

Encouraging Body Positivity in Teens

Counties, Youth First Blog

By Angel Wagner, LSW Whether we remember them fondly or not, many of us would agree that our teenage years had their share of challenging moments. While teenagers are going through the adventure of figuring out who they are and who they…

Sleep Issues in Elementary School Kids

Counties, Youth First Blog

By Shannon Loehrlein, LCSW Most parents are familiar with sleep-related issues in infants and toddlers. Developmentally, it is normal for babies to wake up every few hours. Toddlers can also struggle with sleep issues - especially while…