What happens when we have to make that important call to help a child who might be in harm's way?  How do we know if we SHOULD call?  What is the process like now as opposed to what it was like a few years ago?   How can we really help a family struggling?

These answers and more are eloquently answered by DCFS Asst. Director for the state of Utah, Charri Brummer.

RESOURCES:

https://dcfs.utah.gov/

https://dcfs.utah.gov/services/child-protective-services/

As a public elementary school teacher, I love public school!  However, there are other choices to consider when your student might need a different learning environment to have their needs met.

Caitlin Lee, from EdChoice, walks us through basic school choice programs that are available in every state.

She specifically answers questions regarding school vouchers, tax-credit scholarships and education savings accounts, including the "Utah Meets All Scholarship" program.

RESOURCES:

https://edchoice.morningconsultintelligence.com/reports/national-report.pdf

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2176553b75a44f93ad3e767ecd7c2f0a

https://ufascholarship.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/UFA_FamilyHandbook-4-1.pdf

We are in hot pursuit of our students' biggest bully....SOCIAL MEDIA!  

Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to Governor Cox and the Director of the Office of Families for the State of Utah...gives us important insights to how social media is affecting our students and what we can do about it!

RESOURCES:

https://socialharms.utah.gov/

Did you see the Superbowl ads about the NFL Character Playbook Program?  What a program!  This program is about character building--students learn specific skills for building relationships, conflict resolution, accepting yourself and others, how to set boundaries with a bully, and other important skills.

In this interview, Khalia Murray from EverFi also introruduces us to several FREE programs for K-12 students. These programs can be used in both home settings and classroom settings and there is "no catch" as Khalia explains.  These programs teach specific tools for building life skills including the most recently added courses of "Vaping: Know the Truth" and "Prescription Drug Safety."  Check out these awesome resources below:

RESOURCES:

NFL Character Playbook 

https://characterplaybook.com/about/

EverFi

https://everfi.com/courses/k-12/character-playbook-healthy-relationships/

Have you ever heard that "excessive praise creates pain" in our kids?  What is the antidote for our kids' anxiety and depression?  Dr. Charles Fay and Dr, Daniel Amen give the research behind these concepts, and other simple solutions in their new book, RAISING MENTALLY STRONG KIDS.

In this interview, Dr. Charles Fay walks us through 3 simple, important steps to help instill problem-solving, confidence and resilience in our youth.

RESOURCES:

https://www.audible.com/pd/Raising-Mentally-Strong-Kids-Audiobook/B0CWM658K2?source_code=GO1MB12109072190YI&ds_rl=1261256&gclid=CjwKCAjw7-SvBhB6EiwAwYdCAaw6iJxM6J61bav69ypnfqD8xMgFr8kaQqtpvPjOqhJqGoHYDWc2mxoC4HUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Mentally-Strong-Kids-Neuroscience/dp/1496484797

https://www.loveandlogic.com/collections/classes-and-conferences?tw_source=google&tw_adid=689243299102&tw_campaign=20973893646&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7-SvBhB6EiwAwYdCAZnNngCmTcN28zL1WBgrD6xJJd9TkCSDsXdgRN5AoHy_1Ra4bYVvPxoCfzwQAvD_BwE

https://danielamenmd.com/raising-mentally-strong-kids/?utm_term=%22new%20parenting%20books%22%27&utm_campaign=AMP:+Raising+Mentally+Strong+Kids,+Preorder+-+traffic&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6943079525&hsa_cam=20973382717&hsa_grp=157371039839&hsa_ad=688802655108&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-2272670677851&hsa_kw=%22new%20parenting%20books%22%27&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7-SvBhB6EiwAwYdCAbQ82nxrHn4LBh6XsOYSEp74QTOcgzvUwhkS38WYjznV7PNpDc6CphoCB9UQAvD_BwE

 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been classified by the World Health Organization as one of the Top 5 Most Debilitating Disorders plaguing our children, and people in general.

There is HELP!  Amazing help, in the form of what is called EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION THERAPY. 

If your child shows signs of any OCD behaviors, take in this thought-provoking and informative interview with Paul Peterson, CEO and Founder of several OCD and Anxiety Treatment Centers in the United States.

RESOURCES:

https://platform.who.int/mortality/themes/theme-details/topics/indicator-groups/indicator-group-details/MDB/obsessive-compulsive-disorder

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

https://www.theocdandanxietytreatmentcenter.com/ocd-treatment-lp-new/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwP6sBhDAARIsAPfK_wY9Qrd780kFKdn0fedrMsPfe_EhU0FEkw5MVdmGafDisMXzc6ayKigaAsosEALw_wcB

Do you want to save your child from a lot of depression and anxiety? Dina Alexander, founder of Educate and Empower Kids, shares 3 tools for empowering our children who are growing up in a porn culture.  

Research shows that pornography changes thought processes, inluding thoughts about other human beings.  It also affects decision making, conditions the brain that no means yes, and causes confusion about relationships, intimacy and sexuality.

"Be Prepared, Not Scared" in talking about sex with our kids, delaying phones/social media, and teaching about dangers that exist online.

Educate and Empower Kids:

https://educateempowerkids.org/

Raising Strong Kids in a Porn Culture:

https://youtu.be/bc8GRxGXBFY?si=KJU15PMIxod6EJPm

30 Days of Sex Talks (ages 3-7) by Dina Alexander:

https://www.amazon.com/Days-Sex-Talks-Ages-3-7/dp/1736721577

30 Days of Sex Talks (ages 8-11) by Dina Alexander:

https://www.amazon.com/Days-Sex-Talks-Ages-8-11/dp/B0CGL24VM6/ref=pd_bxgy_img_d_sccl_1/133-6423440-7752357?pd_rd_w=64wu2&content-id=a

30 Days of Sex Talks (12 and up) by Dina Alexander:

https://educateempowerkids.org/product/30-days-of-sex-talks-for-ages-12-empowering-your-child-with-knowledge-of-sexual-intimacy-volume-3/

Justin Berube, award-winning domestic trial attoney of Farr, Cragun and Berube Law Firm, answers many commonly asked questions surrounding why litigating may or not be best to helping you protect your kids and family during the difficult process of divorce.  He describes how to choose an attorney that's best for you, how to avoid common mistakes parents make, the role of a guardian ad litem, the process of custody evaluations including how classroom teachers are involved.  

RESOURCES:

FARR, CRAGUN & BERUBE LAW FIRM

https://www.utah-lawfirm.com/

PAY OFF A CHILD'S SCHOOL LUNCH MONEY DEBT:

@elementaryschooled or contact your local school district to choose an elementary school of your choice.  For $10.50 you can pay for a child's school lunch for one week.  Thank you for your generosity!

What if we told you there are 3 plans we choose from in trying to get a child (or anyone) to do something we want them to do?  In this interview, learn about "Plan B," the winner for improving behavior.

Dr. Stuart Ablon, Founder and Director of Think: Kids in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Massachusetts General Hospital, shares this Plan B "recipe" with simple ingredients that can be used in any classroom or home.  It works!

"Kids Lack SKILL not WILL"

"Kids Do Well if They Can"

Resources:

Think: Kids

https://thinkkids.org/

Collaborative Problem Solving

https://thinkkids.org/cps-overview/

Are you a parent who feels burdened by your student's lunch debt?  Are you a teacher seeing kids who come to school hungry?  Are you a community member who wants to help keep our kids fed and doing well in school?

Kathleen Britton, Director of Child Nutrition Programs for the Utah State Board of Education shares the resources and application process to help families feel less burdened with school lunch debt.  She also updates us on what is being done in Utah, similar to other states, who has over 1.7 million dollars in school lunch debt!

PLEASE take a moment to contribute $10.50 to pay off a week's worth of lunch debt at two Utah elementary schools in Tooele School District, to help relieve the burden of these families.

VENMO @elementaryschooled

https://www.schools.utah.gov/CNP

https://www.schools.utah.gov/cnp/asp

https://www.utfarmtofork.org/#:~:text=The%20Utah%20Farm%20to%20Fork,fork%20activities%20and%20shared%20projects.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program

https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp

https://www.schools.utah.gov/cnp/sso

https://www.schools.utah.gov/cnp/smphttps://www.fns.usda.gov/tefap/emergency-food-assistance-program

https://house.utleg.gov/rep/CLANCT/