Blog Archives by Date Blog

Would you sink or swim?

Would you sink or swim?

When you’ve always lived rather comfortably, when you have a strong support network of family, friends and/or a faith community, etc., resilience—bouncing back from tough times—isn’t too difficult. 

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The Daycation

The Daycation

How exchanging the definition of a vacation can bring relaxation, unity, and fun for a family.

A week of luxury at a beach resort, safari in Africa, cruising Disney through the Caribbean. The ultimate family vacations for the ultimate family, right? Sounds nice, however, the reality is the majority of us only go to those places in our dreams. We’re lucky to go to a local theme park or spend a weekend at the beach! The truth is vacations cost money and the bigger your family, the more the cost! Not only do you have to take off work but, travel, food, and lodging can get really expensive, really fast. If you are someone who finds yourself struggling with justifying taking your family on a trip because of the cost, maybe you need a new definition of a vacation.

Presenting the DAYCATION.

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Fostering Teens

Fostering Teens

“I could never foster a teenager”. I’ve heard it time and time again during my twenty two years working in child welfare. Why are people so afraid of teen agers?  We were ALL teenagers at one point…is that why you don’t think you can do it, because you’re afraid of a child like yourself?  (insert funny photo?) I have met some of THE most amazing teens during my career. These kids are earning athletic and academic scholarships to college, they excel in their high school sports and community clubs…but they couldn’t do this without a caring foster parent by their side to support them every step of the way.

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Shotgun at 13

Shotgun at 13

Today our family celebrates my daughter officially becoming a teenager! She turns the ripe ole age of 13 today. In fact, that teenager is already acting like a teen, sleeping in after a late night sleepover with good friends, talking about who is “dating” whom, downloading music and the newest “approved” apps for her phone.  There are multiple birthday celebrations planned for her and so many things to be happy about.

The one thing she is most excited about, however, is finally getting to ride “shotgun” in the car. 

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Child Abuse Prevention Month 2015

Child Abuse Prevention Month 2015

While some of you are busy planning your best and most epic April Fool’s Day pranks today, we wanted to take a minute to remind you that today is also the first day of the Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Heartland for Children is a proud supporter of this national campaign and will be promoting it throughout the month. Please display your pinwheels, share our posts and participate in our events taking place throughout Polk, Hardee and Highlands County. We want everyone to know how they can be a part of the solution.

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Without conditions or reservations, I wholeheartedly endorse Heartland for Children as the Community Based Organization (CBC) serving abused and neglected children in Highlands, Hardee and Polk Counties. The child welfare system has improved dramatically under the outstanding leadership of Heartland for Children. For nearly a decade, Heartland for Children has been delivering high-quality services to children and families in our communities. In fact, the system of care that was designed to protect child, our most precious resource, was not always responsive, nor highly respected, before Heartland for Children was selected as the first CBC, covering Highlands, Hardee and Polk counties.