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Learning Together: Clifton’s Story of Kinship Care

Child Welfare

Understanding and Celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month

Apr 13, 2026

Understanding and Celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month

Every April, blue pinwheels appear in our communities as symbols of the bright future every child deserves. While this month is about taking action today, it is rooted in a long history of protecting our most vulnerable children. A History of Advocacy According to Praesidium, the movement for child safety began long before its formal…
Empowering Parents to Be Leaders in Their Families

Mar 16, 2026

Empowering Parents to Be Leaders in Their Families

Parenting is often the first place leadership begins. According to Parenthood as Leadership, when parents model calm communication, shared values and resilience, children learn what healthy leadership looks like in everyday life. The way adults respond to challenges, manage emotions and build relationships shapes how children understand leadership at home and beyond. Below are practical…

Feb 5, 2026

A Conversation with Dr. Jason T. Mahoney on Child Welfare

When families face crisis, fear often arrives before help. Fear of judgment, fear of being misunderstood, fear that asking for support means failure. In a recent conversation with Dr. Jason T. Mahoney, a longtime health and human services professional, one message came through clearly: support starts with showing up with openness, humility and hope. A…
Simple Ways to Reset and Reconnect this January

Jan 19, 2026

Simple Ways Families Can Reset and Reconnect January

The start of a new year is a natural moment for families to pause, refresh routines and set positive intentions. January doesn’t have to mean strict resolutions or packed schedules. In fact, small thoughtful changes can create balance and set a healthy tone for the months ahead. If you’re unsure where to begin, focus on…
Online-Safety-Tips-A-Guide-for-Parents

Jan 12, 2026

Online Safety Tips: A Guide for Parents

The online world offers children and teens endless opportunities to learn, connect and explore, but it also brings new safety considerations for families. One important topic for parents to be aware of is unsafe online interactions, where individuals may use manipulation and trust-building to cross boundaries. This guide shares practical internet safety tips, early warning…
A family spending time outdoors on a winter day, reflecting the slower rhythm and emotional challenges that come with shorter daylight.

Dec 15, 2025

Winter Slows Us Down: Tips for Families During Shorter Days

As the days grow shorter and winter settles in, many families start to feel the season’s slower rhythm. With less natural light, our internal clocks can get thrown off, affecting energy, focus and mood. Northwestern Medicine has a helpful infographic that breaks down how shorter days influence the brain and body in a clear, easy-to-understand…
Gina, a grandmother and kinship caregiver, sitting with her two grandsons, smiling together and showing a strong family bond.

Dec 8, 2025

Caregiving After Loss: Gina’s Journey

Gina, a proud grandmother of two, grew up in a small, isolated community in Colorado where family and neighbors relied on one another. She says she grew up feeling it was essential to take care of people you loved and to be taken care of by people who love you. That lesson became the foundation…
Community donation display featuring winter coats, hats and scarves neatly arranged next to a collection box labeled ‘Wolfpack Winter Coat and Clothing Drive,’ alongside a Toys for Tots donation bin filled with new, unwrapped toys. Festive winter decorations surround the area, emphasizing holiday giving and community support.

Dec 1, 2025

Winter Giving: Bring Warmth and Joy to the Community

Winter is here and the holiday season is approaching. Many of us are fortunate to gather with friends and family during this time of the year. However, for some individuals in our community, the holiday season can be challenging and stressful. This provides an opportunity for the Wolfpack community to lend a hand and bring…
Training session, reflecting the collaboration, gratitude and shared purpose that drive their work in supporting child welfare professionals across North Carolina.

Nov 24, 2025

Reflections of Gratitude: Voices from North Carolina’s Child Welfare Trainers

As the year draws to a close, many take time to reflect on what they’re grateful for in both their personal and professional lives. At the Center for Family and Community Engagement, gratitude plays an important role in strengthening the relationships and resilience that drive child welfare work forward. Gratitude is found in moments of…
A grandfather and caregiver, sits with his granddaughter as they learn together, reflecting their close bond and shared growth.

Nov 17, 2025

Learning Together: Clifton’s Story of Kinship Care

Clifton is a recently widowed and the full-time caregiver of his 13-year-old granddaughter. He became her full-time caregiver when she was removed from her mother’s home at just six years old. When faced with the choice between her having to enter foster care or becoming her caregiver, he didn’t hesitate to step in. “She’s my…