Source: Northfield Patch It was 1973 when homosexuality was de-classified as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and since then it has become accepted by most professionals in the mental health community that homsexuality is neither a disease nor a conscious choice that a person can alter. However, [...]
As promised from yesterday, I am continuing my "brief bill descriptions" post regarding child welfare-related bills introduced during the interim of Minnesota's 88th legislative session. Early Learning H.F. 1880: Introduced by Rep. Ryan Winkler and others, this bill would ensure that each eligible child receives an early learning scholarship. Beginning in FY2015, funding for this [...]
This guest blog post was written by Abdifateh Ahmed. Review of Tufts University, Health Sciences (2010, September 24). Psychotropic medication and youth in foster care report. ScienceDaily. In summary the article gives us insights on the subject of the use of medication for treating behavioral and mental health tribulations in foster care children. The article [...]
During the celebrations and hoopla that National Adoption Month brings, it can be easy to forget or dismiss the reality that adoption is not always the fairy tale ending to a child's life. A child brings with him or her a lifetime of pre-adoption history that is often very difficult and filled with trauma. Trauma [...]
This morning NPRran a story, Helping Foster Kids Even After Adoption, about the types of post-adoption supports that families that adopt from foster care often need. One of the interviewees on this show is Debbie Riley, our partner at the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE). CASE's Training on Adoption Competency curricuum is the [...]
MN Adopt is offering a training on August 6, 2012 on Working with the Mind-Body Connection: Understanding Stress and Trauma in Adopted and Foster Youth. The training will be presented by Lora Matz, LICSW. From the description: Increased levels of anxiety, depression and hopelessness are being seen in children from all socio-economic conditions, cultures and [...]
MN ADOPT is hosting a webinar on July 25, 2012 on Helping Children with Sexualized Behaviors: What Parents and Professionals Need to Know with Jane Seymour, MSW, LGSW. From the training desciption: This webinar will review the common myths and facts about children who are exhibiting sexualized behaviors. Participants will learn about the characteristics of [...]
One of the practice issues that has been rarely talked about in academic, research or policy arenas that impact children that have been institutionalized or in foster care is the issue of eating behaviors. It is quite common for children who have been neglected or for those who have experienced food insecurity, institutionalization in foreign [...]
