In the summer of 2018, I took on a second job. I was hired by Benchmarks to do 10 hours of data entry each week. The flexibility and time requirements complimented my primary job. This arrangement worked well until the fall of 2019. At that time, I learned the contract with my primary job, which would expire in a few months, would not be renewed. This meant that I would need full-time employment. I decided to be transparent and let my supervisor at Benchmarks know my situation. I explained...

In the intricate web of child welfare and support systems, foster parents stand as pillars of strength, providing nurturing homes for children in need. Acknowledging the pivotal role they play, Vaya Health’s Pathways to Permanency project's “Common Language and Shared Understanding” workgroup recently organized a training session on the Foster Parent Bill of Rights. Held in collaboration with the Foster Family Alliance (FFA), the training focused on enlightening professionals in child...

“B enchmarks’ Center for Quality Integration redesigns the local child welfare/behavioral health system, changing the way child welfare, Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, local providers, and the wider community understand the need for accessible, appropriate mental health services for children, youth and families who have experienced potentially traumatic events .” Starting a new job has its challenges, one of which is learning a new culture. As a newcomer, being with the organization...

The importance of safe and supportive homes for youth in foster care cannot be overstated. The "Safe & Supportive Homes: Family Foster Care Recruitment and Retention" workgroup, part of Vaya's Pathways to Permanency project, has been making significant strides in enhancing the foster care experience for both children and resource families. As an extension of the highly successful virtual Treat Them Like Gold (TTLG) Learning Collaborative , the workgroup is now introducing the All-Staff...