Tagged With "Adverse Childhood Experiences"

From October 11th to 13th, in the heart of the majestic Cherokee mountains, Benchmarks hosted its first annual conference, bringing together child welfare and behavioral health professionals and stakeholders from all corners of the industry. It was a gathering where ideas were shared, innovations explored, and, most importantly, inspiration ignited. The event featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including the renowned Patch Adams, the talented Lauren Potter, and on the final...

November has been recognized as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month since 2007 to acknowledge the children and youth that are experiencing homelessness, build awareness around the causes of youth homelessness, examine possible solutions to the issue, and to encourage discussions about how to prevent homelessness among children and teens. Each November, in addition to awareness campaigns, communities recognize businesses and organizations dedic ated to supporting children and teens...

In the collaborative pursuit of addressing the comprehensive needs of youth in foster care and their families, the Pathways to Permanency project has given rise to a powerful tool – the “FosteringNC Developmental Effects of Trauma Facilitator’s Guide". Developed in tandem with Vaya, County DSS offices, and mental health providers, this guide stands as a testament to Vaya’s commitment to addressing critical needs related to the foster care experience. The Pathways to Permanency Project The...

For many, February is the month of "love “due to its association with Valentine’s Day; red roses and pink hearts are everywhere. However, February is also Heart Health Awareness Month. The state of one’s mental health can have either a positive or negative impact on their physical health and can be considered a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Constant stress is a contributing factor for many people who have poor mental health. Stressful situations set off a chain of events within...

March is National Nutrition Month! Nutrition is of the utmost importance for growth, brain development, and healthy living. Making informed decisions about what’s fueling our brains and bodies has a significant impact on our physical and mental health. This is even more true for children as they have growing brains to support! Ensuring a child receives adequate nutrition is considered part of living within a safe environment as children need to have access to healthy well-rounded meals to...

As a member agency for providers that address both child abuse and neglect as well as children’s mental health issues, Benchmarks is always elevating these issues and their impacts on the community. These two issues are the focus of annual national awareness month activities during the months of April and May. April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, which recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. May is Mental Health...