Raising Awareness for Vulnerable Children

prefrontal cortex graphic

Trauma and the Brain: Damage to the Prefrontal Cortex

By Kristin Blalock | June 19, 2023

Not all scars are visible. Childhood trauma affects the brain, impairing both the brain’s function and structure. While these hurts may seem invisible, they are not. The effects of trauma on the brain are noticeable to those who look for the signs and symptoms in children. Our June blog posts explore how trauma affects the…

hippocampus graphic

Trauma and the Brain: An Impaired Hippocampus

By Kristin Blalock | June 12, 2023

Not all scars are visible. Childhood trauma affects the brain, impairing both the brain’s function and structure. While these hurts may seem invisible, they are not. The effects of trauma on the brain are noticeable to those who look for the signs and symptoms in children. Our June blog posts explore how trauma affects the…

amygdala graphic

Trauma and the Brain: An Overactive Amygdala

By Kristin Blalock | June 5, 2023

Not all scars are visible. Childhood trauma affects the brain, impairing both the brain’s function and structure. While these hurts may seem invisible, they are not. The effects of trauma on the brain are noticeable to those who look for the signs and symptoms in children. Our June blog posts explore how trauma affects the…

Foster Care

Foster Care: Call to Faith Communities

By Kristin Blalock | May 22, 2023

The purpose of foster care is to give children a reprieve from what was an unsafe living condition, moving them into what the Department of Social Services has deemed to be a safe environment. The word ‘foster’ is synonymous with ‘stand-in’ or ‘substitute.’ So ideally, while this ‘fostering’ happens, long term solutions are being formulated…

Foster Care: Reading for Adults

Foster Care: Reading for Adults

By Kristin Blalock | May 15, 2023

The purpose of foster care is to give children a reprieve from what was an unsafe living condition, moving them into what the Department of Social Services has deemed to be a safe environment. The word ‘foster’ is synonymous with ‘stand-in’ or ‘substitute.’ So ideally, while this ‘fostering’ happens, long term solutions are being formulated…

Foster Care: Resources for Teens graphic

Foster Care: Resources for Teens

By Kristin Blalock | May 7, 2023

The purpose of foster care is to give children a reprieve from what was an unsafe living condition, moving them into what the Department of Social Services has deemed to be a safe environment. The word ‘foster’ is synonymous with ‘stand-in’ or ‘substitute.’ So ideally, while this ‘fostering’ happens, long term solutions are being formulated…

Child watching TV

Foster Care: Tools for Children

By Kristin Blalock | April 30, 2023

The purpose of foster care is to give children a reprieve from what was an unsafe living condition, moving them into what the Department of Social Services has deemed to be a safe environment. The word ‘foster’ is synonymous with ‘stand-in’ or ‘substitute.’ So ideally, while this ‘fostering’ happens, long term solutions are being formulated…

Stressed Mom with baby

Stress Can Cause Adverse Childhood Experiences

By Kristin Blalock | April 23, 2023

Stress on a family can come from different sources and take many forms. Some stress is internal to the family, such as domestic violence. Other stressors are external. Sources outside of the home could be situations like unemployment or poverty. Regardless of the source, stress is a risk factor for child abuse and neglect.  It…

Adult hugging child

Adults with Adverse Childhood Experiences

By Kristin Blalock | April 16, 2023

In order to help prevent adverse experiences for the children in our lives, it’s important that we address and heal from any trauma we, ourselves, may have experienced. This is true for all adults caring for children – parents, mentors, CASA volunteers, etc. After all, it’s difficult to offer safety and security when we, ourselves,…

Child and Woman Smiling

Prevent & Heal: Adverse Childhood Experiences

By Kristin Blalock | April 7, 2023

Our brains are absolutely amazing organs. They begin developing in utero and by the time a child is born, their brain is already a quarter of the size of an adult brain. The brain then doubles in size before a child’s first birthday and continues to develop at a rapid pace. By kindergarten, a child’s…