FamilyForward

We are three weeks away from our Healing Trauma-Related Dissociation in Youth training event! This state-of-the-art training on October 3rd and 4th, led by Fran Waters, LMSW, DCSW, LMFT, unravels a comprehensive model for assessing and treating youth with dissociation. The best part? You can connect with other professionals and receive 11 Continuing Education Units for social workers. Help us spread the word! Tag a friend in the comments who works in the following professions: ?? Mental health ?? Counseling ?? Social work ?? Psychology ?? Juvenile justice ?? School counseling ?? Foster care ??? Adoptive services They won’t want to miss out! Reserve your seat today: https://lnkd.in/gXeSha_V Sponsored by Saint Louis University School of Social Work.

Calling all teachers! Join our Occupational Therapy Department Friday, September 20th?from 9-11:30AM for a FREE, live, in-person training opportunity: An Introduction to Creating a Trauma-Aware Classroom. This training will focus on how developmental trauma can impact students' participation and learning in the?classroom, providing educators with strategies to meet students where they are at using principles of Trauma Informed Care. Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gSrnHAzJ Attendance certificates will be distributed at the end of the 2.5 hour training.

Did you know that we moved into our Developmental Trauma Center just two years ago? ?? Our developmental trauma campus embodies our commitment to transformative care for children impacted by complex trauma. Intentionally built with our clients’ needs in mind, the building features spaces tailored for therapeutic activities, indoor and outdoor play areas, and adult classrooms for caregiver education and professional training. ???? We are honored to be serving the community in this building as we broaden our impact throughout the region. Cheers to many more years of impact! ?? Learn more about FamilyForward's Developmental Trauma Center: https://lnkd.in/gak8X2Se

At the 2024 Gateway Conference on Philanthropy: The Remix, FamilyForward Board Member Susan Stith, alongside CEO Karen Nolte, participated in a closing keynote panel centered on inclusive leadership. The conversation emphasized the importance of overcoming unconscious bias, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and ensuring that diverse contributors have equal opportunities to make an impact. We are privileged to have such dedicated leadership guiding us toward lasting impact in our agency and community. Thank you to the Association of Fundraising Professionals - St. Louis Regional Chapter for amplifying the voices of changemakers in the field and updating the narratives on fundraising.

“I love this era of parenting because it truly is one of showing humanness. Now we see, on social media and other platforms, parents showing that humanity of ‘hey, I'm not sure, but I’m going to try my best to figure it out. I’m going to make mistakes along the way.’” - Lisa V. There is no rule book to be a “perfect parent” and it’s refreshing to witness the shift towards embracing authenticity in parenting. This era is all about being real, sharing our struggles, and celebrating the imperfect journey of raising kids. ?? Want to hear more uplifting and relatable conversations like this? Tune into our podcast, Out Front with FamilyForward, for more affirming and inspiring content for you and your family: https://lnkd.in/gr8yxjnH

A big THANK YOU to Gateway to Innovation for donating $10,000 to our agency for technology needs. Their annual Community Giveback event is a true testament to their commitment to community and connection. ?? We are grateful to receive the technology funds to allow our team members to support children and families in our community. ??

Tomorrow is the final day to take advantage of early bird registration for our Healing Trauma- Related Dissociation in Youth training event led by internationally recognized trainer Fran Waters, DCSW, LMSW, LMFT and sponsored by Saint Louis University School of Social Work. This training is perfect for... ???? Professionals in the fields of therapy, psychology, social work, and foster care case management. ?? Social service professionals looking to better understand how dissociation impacts youth. ?? Child serving professionals looking for a comprehensive model to assess and treat trauma-related dissociation in youth. ?? Social workers looking to obtain Continuing Education Units – we'll provide 11 hours! ?? Anyone with an interest in developmental trauma in youth. Sign up today to take advantage of early bird pricing, and we’ll see you on October 3rd and 4th - https://lnkd.in/gXeSha_V

#Throwback to a successful annual TriZetto Golf Tournament earlier this summer! This tournament raises funds to support FamilyForward’s programs for children and families. During the event, we raised $28,000 with the help of their supporters. Thank you to all who golfed for a great cause and TriZetto Provider Solutions for supporting our mission. ???

Curious to see what we share at events? Pack a tabling kit with us! ???? ? Team members have loved participating in events to connect with community members to spread the word about our services and mission to support children and families. These are some of our favorite ways to connect and build relationships outside of the clients we already serve.? ? We hope to see you out in the community. If you see a FamilyForward table at an event, please stop by and say hello! ????

Earlier this month, our team has been out front with supporting teens and caregivers during the big leap into high school! ?? We kicked off with our “Supporting Teens During the Transition to High School” event, featuring therapists, Dr. Camesha Carter and Iris Llera. They led a dynamic teen therapy group filled with engaging activities, emotional discussions, and a Q&A with a FamilyForward client who aced their own high school transition. Meanwhile, Taylor Walker, Gillian Jones, and Ashley Wagner from our occupational therapy team empowered caregivers with valuable strategies to support their teens during this pivotal time. In the final half-hour, teens and caregivers came together for hands-on activities, tackling key topics like tracking homework, planning after-school routines, and navigating social expectations to foster safe, positive friendships. Making big transitions like this one takes a whole community of support. Thank you to the collaborative efforts of our therapy and occupational therapy programs and the openness of our clients and caregivers to embracing this big change! ??