Posts by Kristin Blalock
The Little Things
We so appreciate our volunteers who wholeheartedly serve children and families in Henrico County. Our volunteers’ love for kids, combined with their empathy and compassion, drives them to help families in meaningful ways. You may be picturing their service as something grandiose. However, it’s the little things – the things we are all capable of…
Read MoreResilience Reads
As we enter this month of Thanksgiving, our team at Henrico CASA would like to share a few of the things for which we are grateful. The first, of which, is resilience. In our roles working with vulnerable children, we sometimes see darkness, but we also see light. Similarly, where we see trauma, we often…
Read MoreBuilding Protective Factors
Domestic violence varies in form, but consistently carries an undercurrent of abuse, control and fear. Even if violence isn’t physically directed at a child, it takes its toll. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in homes where intimate partner violence occurs, a majority of children witness these domestic assaults and 45%-60% also…
Read MoreIceberg of Domestic Violence
You’ve seen images of an iceberg, right? A mass of solid ice rises out of the ocean. The way it disrupts the surface of the water grabs your attention. But what is truly noteworthy is the enormity of the ice structure that remains below the surface. It may be invisible to the naked eye, but…
Read MoreThe Three Houses Tool
Talking about thoughts and feelings is intimidating, even with a trusted adult. So when building a relationship with a child, it’s important to let them set the pace. You can prompt conversation through an activity, but stay attuned to the child’s comfort level with the conversation. They should lead the way. The Three Houses Tool,…
Read MoreStudents and Stress
Many of today’s students across elementary, middle and high schools, have reasons to feel stressed. There’s the school work, itself, with the pressure to get good grades. But they don’t have jitters about only their performance in the classroom. Social aspects of school like looking right, fitting in, and maintaining friendships are high stressors. Students…
Read MoreThrive by Five
We’ve been blogging about education this month, but that doesn’t limit us to exploring only school-related issues. Learning begins at birth, long before a child’s first day of Kindergarten. Early childhood education, defined as the period from birth to age five, is vitally important for child development. And child development is linked to future outcomes…
Read MoreConsistent. Calm. CASA.
Students require a sense of security to do their best at school. After all, it’s impossible to concentrate when you’re consumed by fear and anxiety. Pressing needs, like hunger or pain, can outweigh learning objectives. Most children are safe at school. Their primary needs are met. They have adult supervision. Security measures are in place.…
Read MoreSchool is a Lifeline
The back-to-school season invokes a sense of new beginnings. This year, there is renewed excitement because so many students are returning to in-person classes. Some look forward to reconnecting with friends. Many hope this school year brings a sense of normalcy. And yet, others seek relief. After all, school is a lifeline for kids living…
Read More