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…

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.…