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,…

Recently, one of our teachers shared a touching story that reminds us of the lasting impact we have on our students: “I thought I would share that a former student, Joe, reached out to me yesterday. He told me how much he missed Chaddock and all the staff here. He will be turning 18 this…

In mid-July, our Foster and Adoption services team got to witness a wonderful reunion: siblings in our foster care program joined back together with their birth parents! Their legal custody was returned, the case was closed, and our staff says there wasn’t a dry eye in the courtroom! We make every effort to return children…

Relationships are primary at Chaddock and that’s what made all the difference for one of our students in Quincy. School Counselor Jennifer Stajduhar told us about Riley, who started attending our schoolin middle school. During her first year here, Riley would often huddle underneath the staircase or in the corner of the school entryway instead…

One of our young ladies recently submitted artwork for the Quincy Art Center’s 50th Annual High School Student Art Competition, and her “Reaching for Help” was accepted into the show! This is a juried competition and we are very proud of her accomplishment. The following is the letter that accompanied her artwork. “My name is…

Many children at Chaddock have experienced mental health challenges due to trauma in their early lives. Abby, for example, was adopted by a loving family at an early age, but the trauma she suffered before that was debilitating. At just 11 years old, Abby already had six mental health hospitalizations and one-long term residential placement.…

Our staff often witness incredible transformations in the students who walk through our school doors. Eve, a high school student, was struggling to find her footing. She had difficulty forming relationships and accepting that she was welcomed, worthy, and loved. Ms. Frese, her teacher at Chaddock School, supported Eve through those tough times, especially when…

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…