Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts’ Post

Discover expert insights and guidance on our Verland blog! 🌐✍️ With topics like 'How Do I Find the Right Group Home Near Me?' and 'Practical Disability Caregiving Tips and Vital Resources from Verland,' we're your go-to resource for compassionate care leadership. Dive into our articles to learn from our experience and expertise in creating a supportive, inclusive environment for individuals with complex needs. Visit our blog and become part of the conversation shaping the future of care. https://loom.ly/V7U7Gs0

National Public Health Week Starts Today!! During each day of National Public Health Week, the MPH team has created a one pager that focuses on a particular public health topic. The purpose is to help to highlight how each of us can make a difference on that topic. These areas are critical to our future success in creating the healthiest nation. Think about what you can do to help. Please see below to learn more about Civic Engagement and my challenge to you. Learn more at nphw.org. #nationalpublichealthweek Civic Engagement Challenge   What is civic engagement? Civic engagement is the formal and informal actions that we and our communities take to identify and address problems and shapes our opportunities to be healthy. By taking actions to get more civically engaged, like voting, we exercise our right to make decisions about our communities, like whether our neighborhoods have walkable sidewalks and how much funding goes to nonprofit organizations to help vulnerable populations. By engaging in professional or community service we help to improve a community’s health. A recent analysis of civic engagement and state health outcomes from 1996 to 2020 showed that in states where people are more civically engaged and vote more, public health outcomes are better.   I challenge you to become more civically engaged! 1.    Vote and help someone else vote in the next election within your community (e.g. provide transportation or fill in for them at work). 2.    Volunteer in your community. 3.    Serve on a committee that affects the health of your community – contact your local schools, churches, non-profit groups, state public health organization for opportunities.   Share your experiences with family and friends!

Success. Partnerships. Collaboration. Innovation. Helping children and families thrive.

A while back we announced that we would be supporting Become Charity as our charity of the year 2023. We wanted to let you know a little more about them, what they do and how you can support them too. Become Charity- Become is a charity that works alongside children and younger care leavers, helping them to believe in themselves and to heal, grow and unleash their potential. Understanding things are wrong in the care system and knowing a lot needs to change. Every day they try and make the care system the best it can be. For 30 years, they have stood by children in care and young leavers, helping them get the support they need. #EndtheCareCliff Become was established as a charity in 1992, born out of Who Cares? Magazine, which started in 1985. Since then, they've been working to improve the everyday lives and future life chances of children and young careleavers Becomes' vision is that care-experienced people have the same chances as everyone else to live happy, fulfilled lives. Become impacts the lives of children in care and care leavers in many different ways. They provide support and advice and influence policy and practice to help direct the lives of children in care and care leavers.; this enables them to be able to achieve the education they have wanted and train professionals that work with young people They quote - "Young people shape our work, and we give them a value platform to speak from." Their ongoing work and campaigns highlight specific issues with the care system and try to turn it around by raising public awareness and speaking to people in power who can change the laws. (Visit their website for more information on their campaigns - https://lnkd.in/eqWhu_gX) #becomecharity #supportyoungcarers #caresystem

Did you know that nationwide, grandparents, other relatives, and close family friends are raising over 2.4 million children whose parents are unable to care for them? For almost 25 years, grandparents and other relatives have been included in the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Native American Caregiver Support Program. These successful programs, which are overseen by the Administration for Community Living, provide for five categories of supportive services to grandparent and other relative caregivers aged 55 raising children. States and Area Agencies On Aging can include these important caregivers in their aging plans, and we're providing them the tools to do just that! In this guide from Network managing partner USAging, agencies can find sample language to help develop language for their state and community. Learn more and tag in the comments below others who you think may like to see it: https://lnkd.in/gFC-SSYB.

In celebration of #Juneteenth, we are proud to highlight how Kaiser Permanente is investing in the Black community to promote total health for all. Health equity starts within our communities. At Kaiser Permanente, we are committed to addressing health disparities and inequities in Black communities, and fostering thriving, healthy neighborhoods. Since 1945, we have supported community health through charitable contributions to nonprofits that align with our vision of health and equity. Our funding priorities include: - Mental Health: Supporting programs that break the stigma and encourage emotional wellness. - Healthy Food Access: Ensuring nutritious food is available to all. - Safe Neighborhoods: Collaborating to create vibrant communities. - Community Conditions: Addressing social determinants of health. Our investments are making a tangible impact, thanks to our community-based partners. Together, we are building healthier, more equitable communities. Learn more about our ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity: https://k-p.li/4cwqdz3 #KPWA

Philly has had a difficult week. It has been made clear, in no uncertain terms, that our leadership has decided to enforce new legislation and enact a strategic strike against harm reduction and public health, weaponizing their power to cause great harm. The lease ending for Savage Sisters Recovery, Inc was one minor show of power. But the response that we received from the community, not just on a local level, but on a global level, has been astounding. So let me be very clear. This work will not stop. We will continue to show up, we will continue to serve, and we will continue to save lives. Because the people that we serve, our beautiful friends, are Worth Saving. Each organization delivering public health services stands in solidarity against these archaic laws, practices and policies. While we may have to get flexible and creative, we will never stop. We’ve been shackled and chained to outdated laws & prohibitionist policies for decades. It’s time to break free. I am certain this will be difficult and we all need to work together. But I believe in my core that the work our organizations do, serves humanity. So we will coordinate, collaborate, organize, serve, support, advocate & keep the light on. Time to stay strong, stand tall and serve ferociously. Like a Savage. To donate or get involved visit savagesisters.org #harmreduction #harmreductionsaveslives #rally #advocacy #substanceusedisorder #pwud #community #publichealth #power #wedorecover #overdoseprevention #education #love #serve #friends

In 2019, our vibrant new nonprofit organization, Support Fibromyalgia Network, faced a formidable challenge: the significant oversight of fibromyalgia by public health authorities. Fueled by a blend of frustration and determination, we, alongside a group of extraordinary advocates, embarked on an unprecedented journey of fibromyalgia advocacy. Our efforts marked the beginning of a new era of support for the fibromyalgia community—a commitment we've passionately upheld through 2019, 2020, and virtual hill days ever since. On March 13th and 14th, we navigate the corridors of Capitol Hill, championing the cause of fibromyalgia advocacy and awareness. We're immensely grateful for those joining us in person, recognizing the significant physical and financial sacrifices involved. Yet, the unanimous consensus is clear: the time for change is now. Together, we continue to fight for recognition, understanding, and progress in fibromyalgia care and awareness. Join us in this enduring battle for change—one community, united and strong. 💜 ✊ #Fibromyalgia #FibromyalgiaAdvocacy #SeeWhatOthersCant

**Virginia Fentanyl Billboard: Families Unite to Raise Awareness** **When:** July 13th at 10:00 AM **Where:** 200 W Grace Street, Richmond, VA (Right beside Richmond Police Department) Families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl will be sharing their stories in an effort to raise awareness and save the lives of other Virginia citizens. Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness knew the importance of this Billboard and wanted something to honor our local Virginia Families who have lost their kids. VFSA collaborated with Rachel Angels, to make this billboard possible. Event Details: Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness (VFSA) is hosting a significant event to unveil a new billboard aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. This event will feature heartfelt testimonials from local families who have tragically lost loved ones to fentanyl overdose. These families are coming together to share their stories, hoping to shed light on the devastating impact of fentanyl and to encourage preventative measures. Their brave testimonials aim to create a sense of urgency and awareness among Virginia citizens, highlighting the critical need for education and action to combat this epidemic. The new billboard, strategically placed beside the Richmond Police Department, serves as a powerful visual reminder of the ongoing crisis and the importance of community involvement in addressing this issue. #FentanylAwareness #VFSA #EndFentanylCrisis #CommunitySupport #VirginiaFamilies #RachelAngels #SubstanceAwareness #StopOverdoses #SaveLives #FentanylPrevention #PublicHealth #CommunityEvent #RichmondVA #TogetherWeCan #AddictionRecovery #OpioidCrisis #BillboardCampaign