Children's Home Society of NC

Aiden is looking for a forever family that helps him overcome his past, navigate his present, and support his future as he completes high school. The kind and respectful 15-year-old has lived in a group home for the past several years. Are you able to provide him with a loving home and guidance? https://loom.ly/mQws19w

Thanks to WXII Audrey Biesk and WXII 12 NEWS for sharing Aiden's story!

Foster parents: What is your favorite thing about foster parenting? Tell us in the comments! CHS foster parent Cailtin Harvey Justharveyfamily shares hers — the unexpected joy of getting to know the families of the children in her care.

https://loom.ly/tsaHXlM

Caitlin Harvey Shares Her Favorite Things about Fostering, pt. 2 Foster parents: What is your favorite thing about foster parenting? Tell us in the comments! CHS foster parent Caitlin Harvey of shares her...

Love and support are two things Bre said she desperately wants in her forever family. The intelligent and mature 17-year-old girl has spent most of her childhood awaiting adoption. Do you have room in your heart and home for a child like Bre?

https://www.wxii12.com/article/north-carolina-adopt-child-girl-awaiting-adoption/61542834

Thanks to WXII Audrey Biesk and WXII 12 NEWS for sharing Bre's story!

Have you seen the brand new Carolina Children magazine? Our brand new format for Carolina Children is a terrific example of CHS’s continuing evolution. This new magazine-style format offers more opportunity for in-depth and inspiring stories for our partners and supporters, better conveying the work and impact you make possible.

In this edition of Carolina Children, we highlight important efforts to support young families through our HealthySteps and Community Navigation programs and keep families together through our Intensive Family Preservation Services, as well as share how we are addressing a critical shortage of foster families across North Carolina. Check it out today!
https://loom.ly/eO5zeiI

This week, several of our foster care to permanency and education team members attended the Family Focused Treatment Association 38th National Conference in Denver, Colorado, to learn new and innovative strategies and approaches to assist youth and families.

Aside from learning valuable new techniques and strategies, the team had the opportunity to take photos with the famous “Big Blue Bear” and a couple of them even ran into country music superstar Wynonna Judd!

“I don’t want to get too attached.” We hear you, foster parents, and we get it. It’s hard to think that the children in your care may not be in your care forever. But getting attached is a GOOD thing. CHS foster parent Caitlin Harvey Justharveyfamily explains why.



https://loom.ly/kavLBqY

Shared Parenting is Possible Shared parenting is when multiple households or families, such as foster parents and biological parents, share in the responsibilities of caring for a child....

Are you ready to turn lemons into lemonade? Lemonade Stands are a childhood ritual and a great way to teach children about supporting their communities. Join CHS this summer and host a lemonade stand to help children and families across North Carolina. Learn more about hosting your own lemonade stand at https://loom.ly/ZFTSI_4

Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook. Asking for help can and will make a difference.

“A lot of times, parents don’t know where to go or feel a little reluctant to reach out. Parenting is so personal to people. It pulls at your heart, but you want what’s best, and that’s the approach we try to take," said Sabrina Cooke-Davis, Executive Director of Programs at the CHSNC.

Thank you to WXII Audrey Biesk and WXII 12 NEWS for encouraging all parents to ask for support when they need it!

https://loom.ly/tVhGW3g

NC certified parent educator says 'parenting doesn't have to be isolating': Learn about support available Whether someone is a first-time parent or has been a parent for decades, speaking up can go a long way.

“We just love to be able to see kids be kids…” says CHS foster parent Cailtin Harvey Justharveyfamily in talking about children in foster care. “A lot of times children unfortunately just have not had the space to just be kids.” Watching them experience playful activities like learning to ride a bike is one of her favorite things about foster parenting. Ready to help a child in foster care experience these simple joys? Learn more about becoming a foster parent at chsnc.org/foster.

https://loom.ly/53JESxM

Caitlin Harvey Shares Her Favorite Things about Fostering “We just love to be able to see kids be kids…” says CHS foster parent Caitlin Harvey of in talking about children in foster care. “A lot of...

Enjoy the fireworks, family gatherings, and all the festivities that make this day special. Let's honor the spirit of independence and unity that brings us all together.

Here's another great opportunity to join CHS Family Recruitment Specialist Brianna Beadell and other foster care advocates for a Jacksonville screening of the Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.

This movie shares the unique true story of how Donna and Reverend Martin and their church in East Texas joined together to make a difference and ended up with 22 families adopting 77 children from the local foster system, igniting a movement for vulnerable children everywhere. This movie is being shown in select theaters across the country so be sure to check your local listings to learn more!

Hey Greensboro Family! Join CHS Family Recruiter Aesha Ealey Wednesday July 3 at 6:05 pm for a very special showing of "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" to hear the true story of how Donna and Reverend Martin and their church in East Texas joined together to make a difference and ended up with 22 families adopting 77 children from the local foster system, igniting a movement for vulnerable children everywhere.

Don't miss the Greensboro premiere Wednesday, July 3rd at 6:05pm at the Regal Greensboro Grande Theatre. CHS Family Recruitment Specialist Aesha will be on site to answer questions regarding foster care, before and after the film!

This movie is being shown in select theaters across the country so be sure to check your local listings to learn more!

Stuck on the “what if’s”? If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, it’s only natural to have questions. But seasoned CHS foster parent Caitlin Harvey - Justharveyfamily - gives the advice, “If there is something in you that wants to be a foster parent at all, I would tell you to take that first step and then ask the questions along the way.”

At CHS, we have dedicated specialists to help answer all your foster parenting questions from the moment you get in touch. Share this post with someone you know who may benefit from this advice.

https://loom.ly/NwqGQAk

Take the First Step Stuck on the “what if’s”? If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, it’s only natural to have questions. But seasoned CHS foster parent Caitlin Harvey ...

Make your plans to attend this very special movie screening! Join CHS Family Recruitment Specialist Brianna Beadell and other foster care advocates for a Wilmington screening of the Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.

This movie shares the unique true story of how Donna and Reverend Martin and their church in East Texas joined together to make a difference and ended up with 22 families adopting 77 children from the local foster system, igniting a movement for vulnerable children everywhere. This movie is being shown in select theaters across the country so be sure to check your local listings to learn more!

https://fb.me/e/1ZvW433CI

Summer is in full force! What’s your plan for this summer? Enjoying the water? Going camping? Firing up the grill? Whatever you prefer, we have safety steps to follow. And don’t forget your furry friends. There are steps you can take to help keep them safe too.

https://chsnc.org/summer-safety-for-families/

Meet 14-year-old Kalen, who has lived in foster care for the majority of his life. Kalen’s bright smile and sweet demeanor are noticeable the moment someone meets him. He spent the day with WXII 12’s Audrey Biesk at Wet ‘N Wild Emerald Pointe and his foster mother. Do you have room in your heart and home for Kalen?

Thank you to WXII 12 NEWS and WXII Audrey Biesk for sharing Kalen's story!

https://loom.ly/M6vv98A

A place to call home: Autistic teen awaiting adoption, meet 14-year-old Kalen and how to give him a bright future Kalen is mostly nonverbal, living in foster care majority of his life, and needs an adoptive family to give him structure, consistency and most of all, love.

Did you know a child’s brain grows and develops rapidly in their first 3 years of life? It is during this time the foundation for how a child will relate to others and manage and express their emotions is built.

They come into the world unable to regulate their physical and emotional states independently and learn how to do these through their relationship with caregivers. Relationships with caregivers shape how infants learn to relate with others and manage emotions later in life.

Ways you can promote your infant’s mental health today and every day:
- Take care of yourselves and find healthy ways to manage emotions.
- Spend quality time with your baby, reading a book out loud or playing together.
- Be attentive and responsive to your baby’s physical and emotional needs. Research tells us that there’s no such thing as “spoiling a baby”!
- Respond to your baby’s babble and coos, even describing the things you’re doing during the day promotes bonding and a sense of attachment. And it can boost language development later!

For more information on healthy child development talk to your pediatrician!

In every culture, storytelling plays a key role in how individuals communicate and connect. Last week in Banner Elk, a group of board members, adoptive parents, and new friends gathered in the NC mountains to share their own stories of the role of CHS in their lives. Though every story was unique, they all inspired and reminded us of the importance of family in a child’s life.

Thank you sincerely to our “mountain friends” who shared such meaningful memories and thank you to each and every one of you for supporting children and families across our state.

Do you have a story of how CHS has changed your life? We'd love to hear from you in the comments on this post or send us a direct message! Thank you!

Join us this Saturday from 9-3 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wilmington for Building Safety and Trust Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Care.

Building Safety & Trust focuses on best practice skills and opportunities to create welcoming environments so that all youth within our systems of care have access to safety, permanency, and wellbeing. This nationwide model helps caregivers build foundational knowledge and skills around how they support LGBTQ+ youth in care.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - 16N 16th Street - Wilmington, NC 28401

Lunch will be provided for those registered by Thursday, June 27th. Participants do not have to be licensed families with CHS. To register please contact Dana Gracie at [email protected].

Every year, approximately 300+ children exit foster care to their forever families through CHS programs.

Through our comprehensive foster care and adoption services, we empower and assist North Carolina families to experience the strength and possibility of love and family. Interested in exploring the process of becoming a foster parent? Visit linktr.ee/chsnc to learn more! ✨

Thanks to the Gamboa family for sharing their inspirational story! And thank you to WXII Audrey Biesk and WXII 12 NEWS for continuing to highlight the need for foster and adoptive families!

Meet the Gamboa family from Guilford County who recently adopted these three ADORABLE siblings. They told me keeping them together was a must and their adoption journey is a dream come true. ❤️Tune in tonight at 6 for this week's, A Place to Call Home and how you can be that hope for a child too.
https://www.wxii12.com/article/guilford-county-couple-adopts-three-siblings-to-keep-them-together/61187654

As parents, we can have so many questions about our child's behaviors and habits, especially when they have gone through significant trauma. In this day & age, finding quality resources can be challenging in a sea of online information.

The Child First program bridges this gap, using our expertise to connect families with licensed, trauma-informed clinicians and highly trained resource specialist. With 91% of families' needs met within the first year of treatment, allow us help you to get the support you need for you and your child.

Are you a parent or provider that wants to learn about our Child First program? Visit linktr.ee/chsnc to read more!

Did you know that over 7,500 parents benefited from our early childhood parent education support programs last year? This goes to show that no one has it all figured out. From parent education to social and emotional learning for teens, our prevention-focused programs instill confidence and create open dialogue to cope with situations before they reach a breaking point. Learn more at www.chsnc.org.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Dads' Joke-a-Thon event last Thursday at The Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro! It was a night filled with incredibly (corny) dad jokes, laughs, and community.

Special thanks to our host Steve Lesser, owner of The Idiot Box, and our brave amateur dad joke contest participants! And special congratulations to our amateur Dad Joke Contest Winner - "Festive Bob!"

Festive Bob was working as a ride-share driver Thursday. He picked up his riders who told him about the event. After dazzling them with some patented dad jokes, he was convinced by his riders to come in and join in the fun.
He signed up for the contest on the spot and won with a series of jokes about strawberries including: What do you call a sad strawberry? A BLUEberry! Festive Bob won the contest, got his trophy, and then went right back to his ride-share job.

Thank you to Festive Bob and everyone else who made this a fun and sweet event to celebrate Father's Day!

Are you an adoptive or foster parent in need of support? Join us to be renewed with soul filling connections, laughter, support, and growing as a caregiver, while you continue to BE THE LIGHT for children in care.

This retreat will be held June 22 from 9 am - 4 pm at Hudson Memorial Church in Raleigh. This special event is for Foster & Adoptive caregivers but you do not have to be licensed with CHS to attend. To allow our guests to relax and enjoy themselves, we politely request no children.

Be inspired with Parenting Tips, Tricks, & Parenting, Hacks, Self Care, Relaxation, Crafts, Prizes & LOTS MORE! Multiple Guest Speakers, Food, Fun, Fun, and did we mention Fun?

Register Today: HTTPS://FORMS.OFFICE.COM/R/2T6P9HTR0B

SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out) is an incredible program in the CHS family. It aims to support youth in foster care and foster care alumni by elevating their voices and sharing the hardships and challenges they face in order to advocate for change at both local and state levels. Learn more about SaySo at www.saysonc.org.

Thanks to WXII and Audrey Biesk for highlighting this incredible program!
https://loom.ly/oJCnqoI

‘65% of young people age out of foster care without support': How a statewide organization is working to change that The program is part of the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina working to educate the community at the local and state level.

Huge shoutout to these incredible vendors who showcased their goods at the Sunshine 5K & Family Festival. Make sure to check them out!

Walgreens - VLAM Builders corp - WellCare NC - Running on Books - SJMore’s Creations - Crazy Running Greensboro

It's not too late to make plans to join us this Thursday at the Idiot Box in Greensboro for Dads' Joke-A-Thon! Tickets are just $25 each! Bring your best dad joke and help support children and families across North Carolina!

https://loom.ly/x91K6CQ

Greensboro comedy club hosts event to benefit Children's Home Society of North Carolina You can celebrate Father’s Day early at the Dads' Joke-a-Thon to benefit Children’s Home Society.