Advice from Our Professionals

Informative articles by Youth First’s Service Team

Teaching Your Child to State Their Opinion in a Thoughtful Manner

By Natasha Goodge, MSW, LSW - March 17, 2025 - Any adult will tell you it is taboo to discuss religion or politics. This is easy enough, so long as you do not parent or educate children. I was unprepared when my six-year-old forcefully…

Students Benefit from Having a Trusted Adult in the School Building

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By December Stroud, MSW, LSW - March 6, 2025 - In a school setting, social workers play a vital role in supporting students’ academic, emotional, and social development. One of the most crucial aspects of this role is fostering and…

Create a United Front with Your Child’s Teacher

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By Dawn Tedrow, MSW, LCSW, C-DBT - February 26, 2025 - As a parent, I tried to raise my children with certain core values and principles that are important to our family, in hopes that they would model these values when I was not around.…

The Impact of Seasonal Weather on Mental Health

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By Beth Thomas, MSW, LSW - February 20, 2025 - When thinking about the seasons and the weather, you may not necessarily associate them with mental health. But did you know that the weather can, in fact, have a large impact on your mental…

Helping Your High Schooler Manage Stress

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By Valorie Dassel, MSW, LCSW, LCAC - February 12, 2025 - High school is a pivotal time in a teenager's life, marked by academic pressures, social challenges, and the transition to adulthood. For many high schoolers, the stress associated…

Friendships Can Transform Lives

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By Holly Branam, MSW, LCSW - February 6, 2025 - Many years ago, I was working with a student who was challenged in several areas. He was anxious, having trouble focusing on schoolwork, and was disruptive and attention seeking in the classroom. Additionally,…