Teaching Your Child to State Their Opinion in a Thoughtful Manner

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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 stated his personal political opinions in response to the television news playing in the crowded waiting room of his dentist’s office.

For those raising and educating children, maintaining the polite status quo is not an option. It is our responsibility to create a safe space for them to talk about whatever is on their mind and to help them develop the skills to speak their minds in a thoughtful and respectful manner (when it is appropriate, of course).  

But how?

  1. Start where they are. What do they know, what have they heard, what questions do they have? This gives you the best jumping off point and allows you an opportunity to correct misinformation and discuss the importance of where information comes from. Let them guide the conversations. This makes them feel safe and heard. When children feel heard by their adults, they develop trust and are more likely to share the hard things that arise in the future.
  1. Use simple and neutral explanations. Stick to the facts. While I do hope my children grow up to share my beliefs, I know it is best if they arrive there on their own, and their journey may include detours. Allow them the space to explore. Children learn best when trusted adults model their personal values and critical thinking rather than dictating.
  1. Validate their feelings. As parents, the desire to pave a smooth road for our children is strong. This is simply not feasible and does not create resilience. Reminding them that their feelings are valid gives them the space to process their feelings and then the ability to think about their next steps.  
  1. Explain processes rather than specifics. Educating children about the workings of government and democracy allows them a sense of empowerment. You can further empower them by helping them get involved by doing things like writing letters, attending local events, or even discussing issues with others (in appropriate settings, of course).
  1. Focus on values. Remind them that, for the most part, humans share the same values: autonomy and accountability, achievement and altruism, wealth, freedom, and fairness, but we all prioritize these values differently. The difference in how we prioritize values is what results in our political differences. It is dismissive and harmful to believe opposing sides lack essential values.
  1. Model kindness, respect, and curiosity. When engaging those with differing views, encourage curiosity over persuading. Asking others about their different beliefs is a far more effective way of engaging. Preaching on the other hand, often reinforces an opponent’s beliefs.  

By following these steps, you can help your child learn to prioritize their values and discuss their thoughts and opinions in a calm, respectful manner. It is important for them to learn to listen to others with curiosity when they have differing beliefs and opinions. 

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City of Washington Awards $10,000 to Youth First

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March 7, 2025 –

Gift to Provide Mental Health Support for Students at Washington Community Schools and Washington Catholic Schools

Youth First is celebrating the City of Washington for investing in Daviess County youth. The city recently awarded $10,000 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the mental health and well-being of students in Youth First partner schools in the Washington Community School Corporation and Washington Catholic Schools.

This significant gift from the City of Washington, along with funding from other sources, will enable Youth First to provide its school-based student assistance program and family and community prevention programs to help students build valuable life skills and healthy mindsets as they grow into thriving adults. 

Kevin Frank, Superintendent of Washington Community Schools, stated: “On behalf of our schools, I sincerely thank Mayor Rhoads and the City of Washington town council for its generous financial support to help fund our Youth First Social Workers. This investment in our students’ well-being will make a lasting impact, ensuring they receive the social and emotional support they need to thrive.”

Youth First embeds highly trained mental health professionals in school buildings, partnering with 126 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Youth First Mental Health Professionals build caring relationships, promote healthy choices, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency along with other valuable life skills.

“It is very important to have Youth First in our schools and to be able to provide assistance to students, which is truly valuable to both the student and the community. The City of Washington is glad to invest in our students’ future success,” said David Rhoads, Mayor, City of Washington.

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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. This did not come about easily, and I had to ask myself some difficult questions. “How do I want others to see my children?” I wanted people to think of my kids as kind, honest, and respectful. “What is going to motivate my children to remember our values and act accordingly?” It was important that my children feel empathy and have the courage to stick up for themselves and others.

What values and behaviors do teachers want to see from children in their classroom? Let’s take a moment to look at kindness, honesty, and respect and how these values can motivate your child to have better relationships with peers and teachers at school.

Kindness is smiling at someone or returning something they dropped. It is the act of doing something just because it makes your heart happy. You feel good about doing it without expecting anything in return. It also helps foster empathy so that your child begins to understand how others feel about things.

Honesty is another important value, because it helps teach the child to be truthful about things even if it leads to an undesired outcome. This helps improve their self-esteem and develop deeper connections with people in their lives. Honesty is a great way to teach your child about responsibility and how to be accountable for their actions.

It’s important to teach children to respect not only themselves, but others in their family and community – no matter their age, race, job, etc.  Everyone deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity, no matter who they are.

Our children have a lot of peer influences that may not agree with these values; however, after focusing on these three values, you will also be fostering them to have the courage to make the right decision and treat someone appropriately despite what their friends may think.

Have open and honest conversations with your child around the dinner table about how their friends behave and how they would do things differently. This should be met with zero judgement. Give your child the opportunity to come up with their own solutions, using a lot of praise for good answers. These values will help your child understand that you truly respect their teacher and agree with the rules in their classroom. Modeling this respect will encourage and motivate them to do better in school so you and their teacher will be proud of them. Be sure to praise them for having the courage to continue when things are difficult, as this will help them learn to persevere.

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Youth First Announces Holli Sullivan as New President & CEO

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February 24, 2025 –

The Board of Directors of Youth First, Inc. has named Holli Sullivan as the new President & CEO. Following an extensive search process, Sullivan will assume her new role beginning May 12 and succeed Parri Black, who retires from Youth First in May after 21 years of leadership.

Sullivan’s qualifications and skillset, along with her passion for Youth First’s mission, will be an asset to the agency. Sullivan is a dynamic and visionary leader with diverse experience in both the public and private sectors. Sullivan joined the Youth First Board of Directors in 2023 and has been an advocate of Youth First’s work for over a decade, championing for the agency’s student assistance program and mental health services at the state level.  

Sullivan joins a thriving organization; Youth First has experienced tremendous growth since 1998. Founder Dr. Bill Wooten’s dream was to strengthen youth and families, and today Youth First has grown into one of Indiana’s largest nonprofits with a mission of promoting mental health, preventing substance misuse, and maximizing school success. The agency has over 130 employees and is dedicated to caring for students, building strong families, and transforming communities. Youth First’s programs and services are available to over 53,000 students in 126 partner schools across 14 Indiana counties.

Sullivan will be charged with leading Youth First in fulfilling its mission, collaborating with its Board of Directors to set strategic direction and ensure effective operations, while building and leading a high-performing, mission-focused team.

With a background in engineering, Sullivan has led manufacturing teams, implemented quality standards, and fostered continuous improvement and operational excellence at General Motors Corporation and Toyota Motor Manufacturing. Sullivan served as Indiana State Representative from 2014-2021 and Indiana Secretary of State from 2021-2022. Additionally, Sullivan is an entrepreneur, consulting in communications and public affairs to lead clients in strategic planning, board collaboration, fundraising, and building sustainable partnerships.

“We are thrilled to welcome Holli as Youth First’s new President & CEO. She is passionate about public service and committed to the care and support Youth First provides to kids and families. She will ensure our employees, donors, and community partners are aligned as we look ahead to the next 25 years,” says Board of Directors Chair Dan Hoefling.

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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 well-being?

While not everyone will be affected by the weather in this manner, it is very much a real concern. In fact, according to Mental Health America (mhnational.org), approximately five percent of adults in the United States will experience seasonal affective disorder. Specifically, out of the five percent of adults who experience seasonal affective disorder, also referred to as SAD, 75 percent of those adults are women.

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that occurs annually, typically around the same time every year, and is due to seasonal changes.

Taking a deeper dive into seasonal affective disorder, it is typically caused by a change in the body’s production of melatonin. During the winter season there is less daylight, and with the increase in darkness, the production of the body’s melatonin increases. Melatonin is a hormone which is produced as a response to the presence of darkness. Thus, in the winter seasons, it is noticed that people feel more tired and lethargic due to the higher levels of melatonin the body produces. While it is most likely that seasonal affective disorder is experienced in the winter season, sometimes people may experience symptoms in other seasons as well.

Another way in which the weather and/or seasons can affect our mental health is because we might associate a particular season, such as summer, with family vacations. When that season rolls around, we are reminded of memories from the season, and we may be expecting a similar vacation experience to happen. On the other hand, if that same season comes around and you are not able to go on family trip – let’s say due to finances – that season may bring about stress and have a strong impact on your mental health.

Additionally, seasonal weather can affect our mental health because it may bring about obstacles which may be stress inducing. An example could be the weather in the season of winter. The weather in the winter season varies, of course, according to where you live, but let’s use Indiana as an example. In winter, the weather is typically colder, and we experience the effects of snow and ice. The obstacles snow and ice place on us can lead to higher levels of stress. For instance, perhaps your house loses power because of a winter storm and your family finds themselves in distress.

While we are not able to control the weather the seasons bring, we can take action to help with how the seasonal weather may affect us. If you experience seasonal affective disorder, getting more exposure to sunlight or seeking light therapy may be helpful. Increased exercise can also be beneficial.

If you do not experience seasonal affective disorder, the weather can still create distress and have an impact on your mental health. Ensuring a plan and/or routine for seasonal weather can help. Seeking out community resources can help tremendously as well.

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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 with this period can be overwhelming. As a parent or guardian, it’s crucial to support your child in managing this stress effectively.

Here are some practical strategies to help your high schooler navigate this demanding time.

The foundation of stress management is open and honest communication. Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns. Create an environment where they feel safe discussing their worries without fear of judgment. Regularly check in with your teenager about their school life, social interactions, and overall well-being. By maintaining a dialogue, you can better understand their sources of stress and provide tailored support.

Help your child develop a balanced schedule that includes time for studying, extracurricular activities, and relaxation. A consistent routine can help them manage their time effectively, reduce procrastination, and avoid last-minute cramming. Additionally, encourage them to establish healthy sleep habits, as adequate rest is crucial for stress management and overall well-being.

Introduce your child to various coping strategies and encourage them to find what works best for them. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and meditation can help manage anxiety and improve focus. Encouraging physical activity is also a helpful strategy. By incorporating these techniques into their routine, they can develop effective tools for managing stress on their own.

Help your teen develop a positive mindset by focusing on their strengths and accomplishments. Encourage them to set realistic goals and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can boost their self-esteem and motivation, which can be especially helpful during challenging times. Teach them to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

Participation in extracurricular activities can provide a valuable outlet for stress. Whether it’s a sport, music, or a club, these activities offer a break from academic pressures and can help your teenager develop new skills and interests. They also provide opportunities for social interaction and personal growth, which can be beneficial for emotional well-being.

Finally, be a role model for managing stress. Demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Your behavior can influence your child’s approach to handling stress. Show them how you manage your own stress in a constructive manner, and they may be more likely to adopt similar strategies.

Helping your high schooler manage stress involves a combination of open communication, routine establishment, healthy habits, stress-reduction techniques, positive reinforcement, extracurricular involvement, and role modeling. By providing your child with these tools and a supportive environment, you can help them navigate the challenges of high school with greater resilience and confidence.

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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, his parents noted he would become easily dysregulated at home and eventually did not want to come to school. As I worked with this student, we focused on each of these areas. We practiced skills to help him focus and techniques to help with anxiety. We also discussed appropriate ways to seek attention from others and tried both rewards and consequence-based systems to improve behavior.

I also met with the family and provided education, and they made changes in the home environment. After a year, and with support coming from every direction, the student had made only small improvements, until one day things abruptly changed. Suddenly, the student was not acting out in the classroom. He was engaged in classwork, wanted to come to school, and most importantly, he was smiling and happy.

What had changed? I knew I had not said or done anything profound and there had not been a sudden shift in medication. The answer was incredibly simple and tremendously eye opening. The student had made a friend!

Since then, I have watched this remarkable transformation happen again and again. Students struggling with a wide range of challenges from relative shyness to more severe behavioral concerns have all benefited greatly from the impact of having one good friend. I do not mean to imply that friendship is the cure for all the problems that children face, but research has shown that friendship can positively affect a child’s self-esteem and social skills while also decreasing stress and anxiety.

Friendships help children feel more connected, confident, and optimistic about the world around them. For some children it changes their perspective; for others it changes their need to seek attention in inappropriate ways; and for others it gives them a source of joy that was lacking in their lives. Together these things lead to better overall mental health for all children.

Friendship provides emotional support and teaches kids empathy and compassion. It also helps them develop some key social skills, including effective communication, how to handle and resolve conflict, cooperate in a group, and show respect to others. Friendship gives children a sense of belonging and helps them develop their sense of identity. Healthy friendships provide a sense of security and self-worth and will help kids develop more resilience for the inevitable challenges of life. It is not the quantity of friends they have that is important, but the quality of key friendships that will have the most impact on their lives.

But making friends is not always easy for kids, and as parents and professionals we want to help foster these relationships in whatever way we can.

The first step I always recommend is open lines of communication both with your children and other adults that support them in their lives. Ask your child about their friendships and truly listen. If you are concerned, ask their teacher if they have noticed the child is challenged in this area. Find out if there is a child that they would like to develop a better friendship with and coordinate with their parents for a playdate. Meet with the parent and child in a park or somewhere where the children can play as you get to know the parents better.

Find out what your child’s current interests are and look for ways to engage them in that area, where they can meet other kids with similar interests. Practice friendship skills with your child by teaching them how to listen, share, and compromise. Be actively involved in their lives so that you can help them show kindness, respect and compassion to others.

Most importantly, be available for your child. As they develop new friendships there will undoubtedly be difficulties along the way, and your child will need a trusted adult to help them navigate new and challenging situations. Friendships can play a vital role in the development and happiness of a child, and your support can help them find success in this area.

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Gribbins Specialty Group Awards $15,000 to Youth First

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Donation to Provide Mental Health Support and Substance Misuse Prevention for Youth

Gribbins Specialty Group has awarded $15,000 to Youth First, Inc. to invest in the health and well-being of youth and families. The award will provide mental health support and substance misuse prevention through student support services and prevention programs in area schools.

Megan Knoll, Gribbins Specialty Group’s Vice President of Operations, states: “In addition to the importance of mental health support for students in our area schools, Youth First is dedicated to providing important messaging for parents and caregivers to have crucial conversations with their children. Through our team’s support of Youth First, we are helping create stronger young people who will someday become part of our workforce and community.”

Youth First partners with 125 schools across 14 Indiana counties to embed prevention programs and over 100 skilled mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers) in school buildings, where they provide caring mental health support for students and prevention coaching for parents and teachers. Youth First Mental Health Professionals build caring relationships, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency, along with other valuable life skills.

Research shows these protective factors are the keys to effective prevention of negative outcomes for young people. The organization’s positive work and strategies are driving growth, with more schools seeking Youth First’s help to address the growing need for mental health support for students.

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Becoming a Tuned In Parent

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By Jayme Waddell, MSW, LSW – January 29, 2025 –

Have you ever asked your child what they were thinking, only to get the response, “I don’t know?”

As frustrating as that answer is, it is probably true! The areas of the brain that handle planning and impulse control do not completely mature until about age 25. Therefore, while adults may see an unsafe behavior and avoid it, adolescents can’t always recognize the risk.

Without that impulse control, children are more likely to make quick decisions without thinking through the consequences. This is especially true when they see the behavior as something their peers or others on social media or video games are doing.

Staying connected with your child, knowing who and what they are involved with, and staying up to date about adolescent behavior trends will help you recognize signs your child may be engaging in something unsafe. Below are some tips to keep you “in the know” with your child.

  • Talk openly, talk often, and start now.

If you start talking with, and (most importantly) listening to, your child about things like peer relationships, substances, and personal safety at a young age, your child will know you are open to hearing what they have to say. Be careful that your words do not come across as a lecture. Instead, use open-ended questions to allow your child to talk freely. Remind your child it is safe for them to come to you about any topic.

  • Have clear family values.

What is important to you as a family? Does your child know what these values are? Make sure you are modeling family values and not just preaching them. Do not drink and drive, practice a positive online presence, and treat others with respect and kindness.

  • Have clear rules and consequences.

If you wait for a situation to arise to put rules and consequences in place, you are waiting too long. Work with your child to clearly define rules and consequences for breaking them. This encourages your child to follow them. Take time to redefine these with your child as they mature and are ready for more responsibility.

  • Monitor your child’s social interactions.

This applies to interactions both in person and online. Know who your child is spending physical time with and who the parents are. Take time to monitor your child’s social media, gaming, and texting interactions, as this is where some of the riskiest behaviors can occur. There are so many apps available to help in these areas. Make it an expectation that you are aware of these things.

  • Be a safety net when it comes to peer pressure.

If your child feels peer pressure to do risky things or is placed in an unsafe situation, help them think of ways to opt out. Develop a code word your child can text you that lets you know they need to be picked up immediately. Let them blame you for not being able to go somewhere they do not feel comfortable. Help your child come up with creative ways to respond when pressured.

  • Be a constant presence throughout the years.

We are sometimes fooled into thinking our teenagers no longer need us, a message that can be reinforced by their behavior. However, teens often need us even more as they navigate the world and are faced with more opportunities. Continue to check in, stay involved, and stay available throughout high school and beyond.


Adolescence is a time of exploration. Our children are trying to discover who they are, what group they belong to, what they like and do not like. Following these tips can help you be more tuned in to your child’s behavior and increase your success as a parent.

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