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Adriana is our Foster Care Case Manager and part of Association House's Child Welfare team. She shares how working with peers who are all educated and part of the LatinX community is her favorite part of her experience. She shares with us who inspired her to work in foster care and her most fulfilling experience as a case manager. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House? My favorite part about working at Association House is being able to work with my peers who are all educated and part of the LatinX community. I feel proud and included and I'm so thankful to be working next to such amazing individuals. What is your favorite part of your experience with Child Welfare? My favorite part of working in Child Welfare is being given the opportunity to help our minor's and families feel taken care of and supported during their involvement with DCFS. It's a difficult time for the individuals involved and that is when support is needed most. Who influenced your desire to work in foster care? My brother-in-law and therapist influenced to me to explore social work. They all had their degrees in social work and/or psychology and both suggested social work because in encompasses so many different realms. They were right, since joining the field I have had the privilege of closely working with therapists, addiction counselors, attorneys, and judges. What has been your most fulfilling experience as a case manager? My most fulfilling experience as a case manager was working on an adoption for two minors who had an active DCFS case for as long as they could remember. Visit after visit they would express how they just "didn't want to be a part of the system" anymore. Although I'd end up missing our visits, I was ecstatic they no longer had to be a part of something they so desperately wanted to be free of.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- High school can be a tough ride for some students. One young man with whom we spoke said it was boring and he felt like he was surrounded by robots. But his new school takes a different path to graduation. CBS 2's Lauren Victory took us inside the Association House High School, an alternative charter in Humboldt Park. Association House High School at 1116 N. Kedzie Ave. looks and sounds like a regular Chicago Public High School – from the stampede to class to the buzzing teacher. Yes, there are microscopes, textbooks, and the constant sharpening of minds – but this charter school's classrooms aren't run-of-the-mill. "You get that one-on-one. They make sure you actually learn," said student Carlos Vega. A small class size and personable teachers keep him engaged. He says he's made a total transformation from his previous school. "I was like skipping and you know – not invested in it. You know, getting in trouble," said Vega. A mentor referred him to Association House of Chicago about three years ago. Many of Vega's classmates have similar stories. Something prevents them from attending a traditional school. Baby Jordany was Jessica Froylan's challenge. "I always wanted to finish high school. With my other schools, it was hard, because I was pregnant. Then I had my kid and had nobody to watch and I'm like, I'm not going to come to school," said Froylan. Now, Froylan and her sister are able to work on their diplomas while their kids play. The Family Literacy Program that makes daycare possible is more than a babysitting service. The moms are encouraged to visit during the school day to pick up skills to teach their babies at home. "It's one of the things I'm most proud of as principal," said David Pieper, who has been with the school for more than 10 years. The principal said he has always researching ways to increase attendance which is how laundry access became another perk for students. "A lot of our students lack that support or that access to fundamental necessities" Pieper said. "To not miss school for something as simple as laundry; if we can remove that barrier, it's something we attempt to do." The newest, non-traditional approach at the school is restorative justice training for all staff, which is made up of both teachers and designated student mentors. The alternative but personalized learning is making a difference. Just ask Vega. "It makes school actually kind of fun," he said. The 18-year-old is on track to graduate this year. Association House High School gets the same sort of funding that a typical school gets. But its extra resources like daycare and laundry access are paid for through grants and donations.

Cortney is our Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Bilingual Clinician and part of Association House's Behavioral Health team. She shares with us that as a teacher, she was drawn to assisting the kids in her classroom who were struggling behaviorally, which inspired her to be a therapist. In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, she shares the importance of taking care of our mental health and provides advice to those struggling with their mental health. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House? My favorite thing about Association House is how committed everyone is to help the people we serve. In my short time here so far, I have noted that so many of our employees are willing to go above and beyond to make sure our participants are taken care of. The willingness of various teams and departments to work together and collaborate to ensure that we are providing to best services we can is refreshing, and I feel lucky to be a part of such an amazing team! What influenced your desire to want to be a therapist? I was always fascinated in school with any topic that was related to psychology, so that was initially what inspired me to major in psychology in undergrad. When I first graduated, I initially got certified in Montessori teaching and believed that it was my calling. However, I soon found that as a teacher, I was drawn to assisting the kids in my classroom who were struggling behaviorally – the ones who just did not fit into the Montessori way of learning and had trouble interacting with other kids and were not being served by the structure of the class. I wanted to be able to dedicate my time to helping those kids and quickly realized that I was going to need further training to do that. For that reason, I chose to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Once I had my degree and training under my belt, it seemed like a natural progression to step into the role of being a therapist. In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, what advice would give to someone struggling with their mental health? My biggest advice to anyone struggling with their mental health is that you are not alone. There are so many of us who struggle with mental health issues, including myself. Don’t be afraid to seek help. I know that there is stigma and shame in our society for receiving treatment or assistance for mental illness, but please don’t let this keep you from asking for help when you need it. There are people and places all over this city who are trained and ready to help you through whatever you are going through. Why do you believe it’s important to take care of our mental health? For me, taking care of my mental health is just as important as taking care of my physical health. The mind-body connection is incredible and well-established, which makes mental health awareness so crucial. Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act and therefore how we handle everyday stressors, how we relate to others, and what choices we make. Thus, just like our physical health, we must work at it every day. Small things like exercising, eating healthy, taking a break when you need to, opening up to people in your life, remembering something that made you smile, and getting enough sleep are small steps we can all take to work on our mental health daily.

When children are away from their homes of origin, they experience a profound loss. It is important that foster parents support the children in processing emotions. This article will help you understand the child’s behavior in the stages of grief. Shock and Denial Children may act with little to no emotional expression, as if the loss were not significant. You may notice the child is: Going through normal activities and showing little commitment Quiet and compliant Passive, indifferent, or numb These expressions can be mistaken as the child being fine. That can lead to future behavioral signs not seen as separation trauma. Children who did not have a band with their guardian(s) may not show an emotional reaction. Most will experience this period of shock and/or denial. Anger and Protest: When the child can no longer deny the loss, they may begin responding in anger. This anger may in general, directed at a specific person(s), or towards specific object(s). You may notice the child is: Always dissenting Hypersensitive, crabby, or hard to please Displaying tantrum behaviors Anti-social The child's anger may cause conflict that lead to a struggle for control. Recognizing that anger is part of the grieving process. Caregivers must support and redirect the child’s feelings instead of punishing them for misbehaving. Bargaining: In the bargaining phase of grief, the child may try to bargain with the person they think has the power to change their situation. They may also try to “do better” to prevent the finality of the loss. Here, you may notice the child is: Eager to please Trying to be good Negotiating to go home These expressions are an attempt to control the environment, and protect themselves against feeling confusion, and uncertainty. They may believe that acting a certain way will allow them to go home. , there is a slim chance that the child's behaviors will get the results they want. When the child realizes that the bargaining strategy does not work, they will feel the impact of the loss. Depression: As the child completely realizes their loss, they are likely to experience depression. They may not want to do activities, feel useless or helpless, and have episodes of fear or panic. You may notice the child is: Appearing to have lost all hope Experiencing emotional distress Displaying regressive behavior Unable to pay attention or experiencing a short attention span Frustrated without effort, overwhelmed At this stage, foster caregivers may become frustrated that they can't help the child. This may be a suitable time to re-establish the relationship between the parent and child. Resolution: In the final stage, the child's distress or depression minimizes. They will start to return to an active life in the present and think about their future. You may notice the child is: Developing stronger attachments in new home Identifying themselves as part of the family Experiencing less emotional distress Resolution is a positive sign if the child will not reunite with their biological family. This can be harmful if the child reunites with their biological family and does not re-establish contact. As you help your child navigate grief, it is important to care for yourself as well. Reach out to your case worker or a counselor for help.

Children and youth who experience trauma and loss carry that trauma with them. It can affect them throughout their lives. As a parent, being aware of the areas affected by trauma is important. Here, you’ll learn how trauma affects children, and how you, as a parent or guardian, can support them in these areas. Relationships Maltreated youth often avoid closeness. They fear relationships since they could associate them with loss or pain. They can create self-protection defenses like numbing and withdrawal. Youth need to identify and express their feelings as they manage their fears. Encouraging them to do so can help them overcome attachment problems. Guardians need to use positive interactions. They must respond to the youth's needs and honor the youth's previous attachments. Guardians need to work through their own losses and manage their negative feelings. Safety & Control Youth who could not protect themselves in the past may feel powerless. Leading them to fear impending doom, be angry or have tension, and have the need to feel in control. The youth needs support in stressful situations. Guardians can help by creating chances for success and push the youth to make good choices. Guardians must be an example of someone who can manage their anger. Self-Regulation - The ability to manage one’s emotions and behavior. Maltreatment of children and youth can impair their developing brain. Sometimes affecting their ability to self-regulate or manage their own emotions and behavior. They need help identifying and expressing their feelings while considering the possible consequences. Guardians need to help the youth talk about their feelings and help them accept responsibilities for behaviors. and practice re-dos. Identity & Sense of Self - One’s perception of characteristics that define themselves Youth that were maltreated or removed from birth parents may think they are unlovable and incomplete. They struggle to have a positive sense of who they are and their place in the world. To heal, youth need to reconstruct and process their life history. Guardians need to talk about adoption and past trauma. They need to teach the youth how to handle negative comments from others. Overall guardians must be open in the youths' best interest.

Complex trauma results from repeated traumatic experiences. It usually begins early in life with the child's caregiver. Affecting the child's development, thoughts about themselves, and their ability to have relationships. Children whose homes were not safe may create ways that allow them to survive day-to-day. When the child is safe, their survival tactics are no longer useful. These tactics can interfere with their ability to live and love. This article will help you understand complex trauma in your own life or in the lives of children you care for. Remember, therapy and coaching are important tools in recovering from complex trauma. You got this! Our therapists are always here for you. Effects of Complex Trauma Attachments & relationships Our early relationships with our caregivers affect us more than we know. It can affect how we trust, balance emotions, sense the world as safe or not, and understand our own value. A child with complex trauma can have a hard time with friendships, and authority figures. Physical Health When a child grows up afraid or under constant stress, their body may not grow to its full ability. The body can respond to normal levels of stress as if it is under extreme stress. There is a connection between childhood trauma exposure, high-risk behaviors, and chronic illness. Emotional Responses Children with complex trauma have a hard time understanding, expressing, and managing emotions. They can feel depressed, anxious, angry, overwhelmed from internalizing or externalizing their emotions. Reminders of their traumatic events can be anywhere. They may react to these reminders or become numb to them and threats in their environment. Dissociation When children have an overwhelming or scary experience, they may mentally separate themselves. They can think of themselves as separated from their bodies. They could also lose the memory of what happened to them. They don’t dissociate on purpose it becomes a defense mechanism. It can look like they aren't paying attention or daydreaming. Behavior Children with complex trauma may be easy to trigger and are likely to have intense reactions. They can struggle with knowing how to calm down and lack impulse control. Because of this, they may seem unpredictable. A child who feels powerless may be defensive or aggressive. Especially when they assume they are being blamed or attacked. They can also be very compliant with adults. Cognition: Thinking and Learning When children grow up with constant threats, they only think about survival. They may have issues reasoning, problem-solving, keeping attention, and thinking about the future. They can also have issues with gaining new skills or information. They may have a hard time with language development and other learning difficulties. Self-Concept and Future Orientation Children learn their self-worth from the reactions of others. Caregivers have the greatest influence on a child’s sense of self-worth and value. Children with complex trauma may feel shame, guilt, low self-esteem, and poor self-image.

An adopted person tends to experience seven core issues related to their adoption. Identifying these core issues will help them feel and understand their emotions. This will help them to accept their experiences. Loss All adopted people have experienced at least one major loss. So, it is crucial to support their expression of these losses so that the healing process can begin. For young adoptees non-verbal expression like art, music, puppets, or play works best. Older adoptees and adults benefit from being encouraged to write down all the losses. Whenever possible, families must work to keep losses low for their children. It is important to keep the youths' connections to important people, places, and events. Parents must be assertive in acquiring information about their children’s lives. Things that are usually overlooked can provide a link. Things like pictures, videotapes, shreds of old clothes, and blankets. Rejection The feeling of loss can increase with the feeling of rejection. Young adoptees may blame themselves for the abandonment, abuse, or neglect they faced. They may avoid situations where they feel rejected or even provoke it. They tend to believe that they will feel safer if they create a distance in their connections to others. Many of their “acting out” behaviors are made to keep distance. Loving an adoptive family does not take away the pain of feeling rejected. Parents need to be open and honest in giving age-appropriate information. Parents must avoid taking young adoptees' comments or questions personally. The children aren't rejecting their foster parents, they are curious. Young adoptees need support and validation when they express feelings of rejection. Feelings or fears of rejection can chip away at a person’s self-esteem. Guilt/Shame Some adopted people feel that they deserved loss and rejection. This could grow into a feeling of guilt and shame. Guilt that they somehow caused the adoption and shame from where they came from. Embarrassed by their adoptive status, adoptees may hide it from their peers. Adoptive families need to be sensitive to their children’s feelings of guilt and shame. Adoptees need to understand what happened was not their fault. Grief Every loss must be grieved, including adoption-related losses. These losses are difficult to mourn since society sees adoption as a fix-all solution. Grief can wash over adopted people in waves or stages, in times of other losses or transitions. Adoptees must understand that feelings of loss are temporary. These feelings include numbness, sadness, anger, depression, emptiness, and anxiety. Sometimes grief may not look like grief. Adoptees may have physical symptoms. Such as stomach aches, headaches, colds, appearing disorganized, or being hyperactive. They may "act out" behaviors, or may isolate and withdraw. Young adoptees find it difficult to grieve their losses, although they are aware of them. Adoptive parents need to make a safe place for the adoptee to express their feelings. They need to listen and offer comfort and hope. Parents must address the past, define what is happening in the present, and give real hope for the future. Avoid rushing the grief process, and understand that the grief will come back again and again. Identity Adoption can threaten an adoptee's sense of identity. Adoptees may feel incomplete. Identity is both what a person is or is not. Adoptees lose their identity from their birth family and borrow one from their adopted family. Adoptees question who they are and where they belong. Are they like their birth family or like their adoptive family? Some adoptees lack medical, genetic, religious, and historical information from their birth parents. They may question why they were born and if it was an accident. Teen adoptees may seek out ways to create a feeling of belonging. Like joining radical sub-cultures, running away, becoming pregnant, or rejecting the adoptive family. Adoptive parents must support their adoptees in developing a sense of where they come from and who they are. They need additional support and acceptance to explore multiple possibilities. Intimacy/Relationships The losses in adoption, feelings of rejection, shame, grief, and identity confusion affect the adoptees' relationships. Adoptees have said that they know they were holding back themselves in relationships. That they have never felt close to anyone instead felt an emptiness that came from wanting to meet their birth parents. Adoptees may have come from institutions and have had a lot of caretakers. They can have a rough time relaxing in their additive family. They can continue to be anxious and clingy or uncertain and avoidant. Adoptive parents find it challenging to create close relationships with them. The process may take years, but it is worth it. Adoptees may find themselves staying in unhealthy relationships or avoiding intimate relationships altogether. Control Issues Adoption changes an adoptee's life. From affecting their development, emotional growth, a feeling of responsibility, and self-control. They had no control over the entire adoption process. Adoptive parents must give children age-appropriate choices and responsibilities throughout their development. It is important to acknowledge the adoptees' feelings on lack of control while helping them take control over their lives in the present. Adoptees often need extra attention paid to skill-building and problem-solving to regain a sense of control in their lives. Identifying these issues can assist them in doing the necessary work to move into the joy of adoption. There are many gains to be won as adopted people work through these issues. People who have struggled with issues seem to develop inner resources and become deeper human beings.

Meet Sawyer, he's our supervisor for Workforce Development and oversees our programs. In honor of Financial Literacy Month, he shares his favorite part of his experience at Association House, what inspires his work, and why he believes financial literacy is important. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House? I have worked at Association House for a little over 2 years now and I'm still learning about all the awesome programs/resources/opportunities that this agency has made available to the community. It feels like we are always growing but in an intentional and purposeful way. I've really enjoyed being able to connect our participants to the necessary resources for succeeding at what they want to succeed in. What about your work inspires you? I'm inspired by the people who make personal and professional development a priority all while juggling their own life's demands. It means a lot knowing people want to spend their valuable time in our programs all for the sake of bettering themselves and their communities. Why do you think financial literacy is important? Improving my own Financial Literacy has allowed me to make smarter, informed decisions in regard to saving and spending money. It's important to learn about what you can do now so that you're in a better position financially 10, 20, or 30 years down the line.

Luz is our Financial Careers Facilitator and part of our Workforce Development team. In honor of Financial Literacy Month, she shares her favorite part about working at Association House, what inspires her work, and gives advice on improving financial literacy. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House? It’s a one-stop-shop where individuals can receive support services and educational resources that can better their life. From the moment I had my first tour of our agency, I was shocked and amazed by all the services offered in our one-stop agency. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood, I lived and saw the needs of families struggling and in need of receiving services such as those that we offer here at Association House of Chicago. What about your work inspires you? Being the first and only college graduate in my family, I needed guidance in finding employment opportunities and navigating the workforce. I truly wish, I had exposure to workforce programs and mentors as a young adult. I understand the value of our offerings and have always had a passion for giving back and helping those in need. The Workforce program offers skills that I lacked and were desperately needed in my community. Throughout my life, I have seen many people with potential who just need a little training and guidance to increase their self-confidence and soft skills. As a Financial Careers Facilitator, I can provide those tools to help people build better opportunities for their families through our workforce programs. What advice would you give to someone wanting to improve their financial literacy? It’s never too late to learn about Financial Literacy - conversations around Financial literacy should start at a young age. Early discussions would encourage individuals to make wiser decisions and build better financial habits. If my family and I had more knowledge about finances, my parents could have purchased their first home sooner and created more financial wealth for themselves earlier. Learning how to manage and budget household expenses is critical at an early age. Credit can be established and repaired. You can ask for your FREE credit report by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. Your credit report is an important part of your financial life, it can determine whether you can get credit and how much it costs you to borrow. How are you celebrating national financial literacy month? We are working with our Workforce team at Association House of Chicago to prepare for our new Cohorts for our Financial Careers Program. Many individuals will be provided with financial tools and skills in the next upcoming weeks in regards to credit, budgeting, and savings.

Sherri is our Financial Careers Facilitator and part of Association House's Workforce Development team. In honor of Financial Literacy Month, she shares what inspires her about her work at Association House and gives advice on improving financial literacy. What about your work inspires you? I'm inspired by the participants of our Workforce Development programs. They are driven and determined to create better lives for themselves and their families despite their past experiences and present challenges. This motivates me to go above and beyond my normal job duties to help them achieve their employment and financial goals. Why do you think financial literacy is important? Financial Literacy Month brings awareness and attention to starting or maintaining healthy financial habits. Learning and understanding how to properly manage our finances helps us meet our financial goals and prepares us for financial emergencies. Also, we are less stressed when we have control over our finances. What advice would you give to someone wanting to improve their financial literacy? I suggest researching reasons why and how to create a budget, to save, and to pay off unnecessary debt. In my opinion, these are the three areas people struggle with the most. I also suggest researching ways to legitimately bring in additional sources of income to help meet their financial goals faster.

Myra is our Community Health Supervisor and part of Association House’s Community Health team. Her favorite part of her experience is the tight-knit, familial culture at Association House that makes it unique and special. In honor of Women's History Month, she shares why we need more women in leadership and how she wants to see this month highlighted at the house and in our community. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House? The tight-knit, familial culture at AHC is very unique and special. This experience has helped me to grow and has provided me with emotional support and friendship. I believe that our strong sense of community within the House is what we are so successful in serving our surrounding communities. Why do we need more women in leadership? We need more women in leadership because it is essential to making progress. Women continue to be underrepresented at every level, especially women of color. Deep cultural/societal work is required to create workplaces where all women feel valued and represented because we bring the skills, different perspectives and cultures that create necessary solutions for the world. How would you like to see Women's History highlighted at AHC and in your community? I think a way the community or the agency can celebrate women's history month is to raise donations/money for women and girls who need help. Starting a fundraiser for a worthy cause! That in turn will build camaraderie over a common goal that helps others.

In honor of Women’s History Month and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month, we wanted to highlight one of our wonderful participants from our Life Skills Education (LSE) program. Sonia is a ray of sunshine and we got the chance to talk with her about the LSE program and the women she looks up to. What does the Life Skills Education (LSE) program mean to you? It means making friendships, showing kindness, and love. It means getting support from the staff and teachers. Before I came here, I felt like nobody cared about me, but when I started here, I realized they really do care about me, and that’s why I learned to show kindness back to the people helping me. I am the women I am today because of Association House. I’ve been part of the program for 12 years and it’s really shaped me into who I am today. In what ways has LSE helped you? It’s helped me grow a lot. The kindness and love the staff has shown me has made me feel less alone. I’ve had struggles and they’ve helped me through them and made me realize that I matter. What do you like about this program? It’s very peaceful and the staff makes it really entertaining. We get to read books, listen to music, and have parties. We always celebrate our birthdays together and it’s so fun. I like to write and LSE helped me turn my poems into a book. They provided me with this outlet to continue writing. I like writing because it helps me express myself better. Sometimes I can’t express myself through words and this allows me to have a voice, be heard, and for my stories to be heard. Is there a woman you look up to? My mom because she has always been there for me and she’s tough as nails. She always tells me to go for it no matter what. She teaches me how to be confident and strong. Also, I want people to know that Cleo Bautista (our Residential Manager for Buena Vista) is also someone I look up to because she’s like a good friend and she’s always there to help me when I make mistakes and teach me.