Virginia's Kids Belong

We’re #hiring a new Community Family Navigator in Richmond, Virginia. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Virginia's Kids Belong is hiring a Community Family Navigator to work with our Richmond-based team to address the needs of families connected to kids involved with the Virginia child welfare system. VKB dramatically improves the experience of children in foster care and changes their outcomes so that they can thrive in safe, loving families and supportive communities where they belong. At VKB, we all wear many hats. This position will help connect the kids from our I Belong Project with their best permanency outcomes as well as help Richmond families navigate the many challenges of the child welfare system with the goal of ensuring the best outcomes for everyone involved. VKB is growing in size and scope as we raise awareness and build a support network across Virginia. We are looking for strong organizational and administrative skills along with a passion for our mission. This is a part-time position, average 25-30 hours per week and may require some time in our Richmond-based office and some travel within the region. If you are interested in learning more about this position please request a full position description via email to [email protected]

Did you know that today is Motivation and Inspiration Day. This designation has an interesting history but the purpose is to ignite that inner spark, push past limits, and turn dreams into reality. Don't we all need that little boost as we start a new year? Sometimes to foster care system is frustrating for adults and scary for kids. Check out the complete quote from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt during one of the most challenging times for families in recent history...and be inspired! “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” ―?Eleanor Roosevelt,?You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life #motivationandinspirationday #belongingmattersVKB #dreambig #empoweringtheirfuturesvkb

Parades, concerts, parties, and fireworks! We love celebrating the 4th of July. While cooking hot dogs around the campfire, chasing glow bugs after dark, and sitting on a blanket oohing and awing at the fireworks might seem like the perfect way to celebrate, kids dealing with past traumas may see things differently. For youth who have experienced the physical and emotional trauma of a shooting or negative experiences with fire, loud noises, and bright lights (like police cars), big celebrations often bring out their survival instincts and aggressive behaviors. The body never forgets the traumatic experience but through patience and support youth can learn to manage these physical and emotional symptoms. Remember ALWAYS to consider your child's whole story when making your plans...their real life past, their culture, their?beliefs about the world (whether accurate or not), and the possible sensory triggers that may come up.? Meeting your child right where they are allows you?to make memories and?have joy and peace at the same time that you?are helping your child heal. It makes life so much more doable! Families celebrate. It's part of being a member of the group. It's part of feeling loved and included. It is really important that we find a way that our children can have that kind of experience. That's where healing happens. Helping Youth to Cope with 4th of July Celebrations After a Shooting https://lnkd.in/eR6NevXG is a great fact sheet recognizing the symptoms and coping with the effects of trauma. #july4thfun #triggers #fireworks #trauma #thisisfostercare #traumaaware #brighterfuturesVKB #empoweringtheirfuturesVKB