December 2023

The holiday season is here! Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, Kwanzaa: all times of celebration for their adherents. This time of the year is typically associated with joy, family, food, and an overall sense of togetherness. While these emotions may be the case for most, it is not always so for current and former youth in foster care. For many, this is a time of year when they are faced with the realization that they will not be “home for the holidays” with their birth family members. This...

Since 2021, Benchmarks has provided consultation and implementation support on the Pathways to Permanency project for Vaya Health, a journey that has seen us navigate through crucial project phases. From the initiation phase, where objectives and stakeholders were identified, to the meticulous planning, execution, and now the sustainability phase, each step has been pivotal in shaping the project's success. As we prepare to transition from implementation support to the sustainability phase,...

December is Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that typically occurs during fall and winter. It is believed to be related to changes in light exposure and may result from disruptions in the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythms) and alterations in neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin. What happens when SAD is coupled with complex trauma ? The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) defines complex trauma as...