Posts by Kristin Blalock
YOU Can Know Ages & Stages
Listen to Episode 7 of the Vigilant Voices™ podcast, YOU Can Knows Ages & Stages. Jeannine Panzera: Hello, listeners. We’re glad to have you listening because, well, we know you’re just as passionate as we are about the well being of children. Kristin Blalock: Yep. It’s too bad we can’t all just be, like, chatting…
Read MoreTrauma and the Brain: An Overactive Amygdala
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…
Read MoreFoster Care: Call to Faith Communities
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…
Read MoreYOU Can Help Kids with Anxiety
Listen to Episode 6 of the Vigilant Voices™ podcast, You Can Help Kids with Anxiety. Jeannine Panzera: Hello, listeners. You are listening to Vigilant Voices podcast. Kristin Blalock: And we’re so glad to have you on this journey with us. J: And it’s not always an easy journey because our work at CASA is hard. We…
Read MoreFoster Care: Reading for Adults
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…
Read MoreFoster Care: Resources for Teens
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…
Read MoreYou Can Be a Foster Care ‘Myth Buster’
Listen to Episode 5 of the Vigilant Voices™ podcast, You Can Be a Foster Care ‘Myth Buster.” Kristin Blalock: Oh, Jeannine, I can’t believe this is already our fifth episode. Jeannine Panzera: Seriously? A reminder to you listener, that in our work at CASA, we’ve learned that it’s important to know about the challenges facing children…
Read MoreFoster Care: Tools for Children
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…
Read MoreStress Can Cause Adverse Childhood Experiences
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…
Read MoreYou Can Be “the One”
Listen to Episode 4 of the Vigilant Voices™ podcast, You Can Be “the One.”. Jeannine Panzera: Hello, listeners. You are listening to our relatively new Vigilant Voices™ podcast. Kristin Blalock: Right? Relatively new. This is already our fourth episode, a reminder that in our work at CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned…
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