Christmas is a magical time of year—the decorations, the lights, and the joy of giving and receiving gifts. At Chaddock, we bring that magic to life for over 400 children and families through our Santa Express program. Last year, at a school Christmas party, a 3-year-old boy received a bike through Santa Express. “This little…

While Christmas time can have its magical moments, the holidays can also be challenging for most families. For families who’ve been impacted by foster care and adoption, the holidays can bring unique challenges. The season can trigger both good and bad memories that may effect behaviors and tolerance levels.  As caregivers, it’s important to approach…

When Andrei was 8 years old, he and his family arrived at Chaddock to begin his healing journey. At that time, Andrei was the youngest child to enter our Developmental Trauma and Attachment Residential Program. He recalls struggling with “behavioral and attitude issues,” but from day one, Chaddock staff stood by Andrei and his family,…

As educators, it’s common to encounter challenging behaviors in the classroom. While some of these behaviors may be frustrating, it’s essential to recognize that they could be signs of something deeper—possibly a response to trauma. Jared Ransom, Manager of Support Services, and Mark Schlepphorst, Social Emotional Learning Coach at Chaddock, offer valuable insights into how…

Is your child feeling anxious about the new school year? The transition from summer vacation to the classroom environment can be challenging for kids of all ages, but support from parents can help ease some of their worries.  We talked with Chaddock School Counselor Jennifer Stajduhar who shared valuable insights into understanding and managing back-to-school…

In today’s world, news headlines and current events can often be overwhelming and unsettling, especially for children. Even though they may not be able to tell you how they feel, or you may not think they understand what is going on, kids—even infants—can sense when something is wrong, off, or not quite right. We explained…

Whether it’s hearing about a natural disaster, witnessing violence on the news, or experiencing a traumatic event firsthand, children are not immune to the emotional and psychological impacts of these events. Understanding the different types of trauma and how they affect children is crucial for parents, caregivers, and educators to help support their mental well-being.…