SAFY Announces Will Matt’s Election to the Family Focused Treatment Association Board of Directors
Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of America, Inc. (SAFY) is pleased to announce that Will Matt, MBA, President and CEO, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA).
SAFY Announces Promotion of Larry Dancy, MS, LPC to Executive Director of Alabama Programs
Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of Alabama, Inc. (SAFY of Alabama) is pleased to announce the promotion of Larry Dancy, MS, LPC to Executive Director. With nearly 40 years of experience serving adults, adolescents, and youth, and 35 years in management and administrative roles, Mr. Dancy’s extensive expertise and people-centered leadership will guide SAFY of Alabama’s programs across the state into its next phase of growth and success.
Effective Strategies for Managing Caregiver Stress
Caregivers and parents often juggle many responsibilities, emotions, and stressors. Balancing work, family, and personal life can be overwhelming, and the pressure to be a perfect parent only adds to the stress. The U.S. Surgeon General's recent 2024 advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents offers important insights and recommendations that can help manage these challenges.
SAFY Honors June as Reunification Month
SAFY is proud to commemorate June as Reunification Month, highlighting the critical importance of keeping families together. As a leading provider of foster care, behavioral health, and family supportive services, SAFY is dedicated to supporting families on their journey toward reunification whenever it is safe and possible.
SAFY of Ohio Receives Funding to Expand Intensive Home-Based Treatment Programs into Allen and Putnam Counties
Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of Ohio’s (SAFY of OH) Lima Behavioral Health (LBH), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality services to youth and families, is pleased to announce it has been awarded funding to support the expansion of Intensive Home-Based Treatment (IHBT) programming into Allen and Putnam Counties.
SAFY Commemorates May as National Foster Care Month
Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of America, Inc. (SAFY of America) commemorates National Foster Care Month this May. We’re joining the Children’s Bureau to honor this year’s theme, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” At SAFY, we know how important it is to empower young people in foster care, help them build strong relationships, and get the support they need from their community.
Ensuring Connections to Strengthen Permanency
At SAFY, we believe in the power of strong families. Reunification and permanency, whenever possible, is always our goal. Today, we celebrate Tina, a dedicated foster parent from SAFY of Nevada who embodies this philosophy. Read on to discover how she goes above and beyond to build positive relationships with the families of youth in her care, paving the way for successful reunification and lasting connections.
SAFY Emphasizes the Role of Strong Families in Building Strong Communities
As we begin April, so does an opportunity for us to come together and work against child abuse and neglect. National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness, promote education, and, ultimately, support our communities. SAFY is proud to be at the forefront of this vital mission.
Championing our Social Workers and their Service to Youth and Families
I am deeply inspired by the dedication of our staff to upholding the core values of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. These values – service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of relationships, and integrity and competence – guide every interaction and decision we make at SAFY.
Nurturing Change: Fostering Support for Black Youth, Families, & Staff in the Child Welfare System
As we work together to navigate the child welfare system, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Black youth and families. The challenges faced by the Black community today are multifaceted, from the attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion to the erasure of Black history in educational curricula, libraries, and beyond. These issues not only affect one’s sense of identity but also impact their mental and emotional well-being. As an organization dedicated to creating a positive impact, we recognize the need to provide unwavering support.
Protecting Futures: Raising Awareness During Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about the critical issue of human trafficking. Since 2010, this month has been dedicated to acknowledging the efforts of individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide to combat this crime. At SAFY, we recognize the importance of raising awareness and educating others about the impact of human trafficking and efforts at prevention.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is More than a Holiday
This Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let’s not just remember his iconic speeches and marches but also the spirit that fueled them: to be a tireless advocate for justice, equality, and a relentless commitment to serving our communities.
Navigating Youth Through Grief
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but our youth are grieving. According to the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM), approximately 700,000 youth in America experienced the death of a parent in the years 2020 and 2021. 1 in 12 youth in America will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18. The profound impact of this loss cannot be understated. It is likely you know a youth who has been touched by this profound loss. November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month: let’s learn how we can support our grieving children.
National Adoption Month: Fostering Youth Engagement in the Adoption Journey
At SAFY, we strive for youth experiencing foster care to return home whenever safely possible. However, when this is not an option, a safe, permanent, and loving home through adoption is often the goal. There are many youth (approximately 114,000 nationwide, according to the Children's Bureau) awaiting adoption. To raise awareness for the crucial need surrounding adoption, we highlight November as National Adoption Month.
National Domestic Violence Prevention Month: The Lasting Effects on Youth and Families
October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and its profound toll on families. Domestic violence (DV) manifests in many forms, including chronic arguing, controlling behaviors, intimidation, threats of harm, and serious injuries. At its core, it is about power and control, and often, recognizing patterns of coercive control in intimate relationships can serve as a crucial signal or foreshadowing of abuses.
Relationship, Relationship, Relationship: Fulfilling Your Role with Stakeholders
I started my career in social work, providing case management services for children and their families. As a newly minted social worker, I quickly felt overwhelmed by the enormous issues of those I served. Resources available to help clients were often inadequate. Sometimes, the systems involved exacerbated the problems they were designed to address. I decided that if I was going to survive the social work profession, I needed to focus on the micro work at hand. No macro work for me – let someone else tackle the systemic issues. Twenty years later, I find myself doing the macro work, advocating for change at an agency and community level. How did that happen? I think my mantra, “Relationship, Relationship, Relationship,” is the key. Creating strong relationships with stakeholders can make the difference in securing important funding, finding late-night respite, or even bringing the right colleague to work for SAFY.
Embracing Resilience: Honoring Indigenous People’s Day and the Indian Child Welfare Act
Indigenous People’s Day honors the communities of people who have lived in America for thousands of years. The short history of America emphasizes a melting pot of cultures, peoples, religions, and languages, where people have found comfort and stability in family and community. What is overlooked in history books is the vast history and diversity of the people who have called this land home long before explorers and settlers set foot on its soil. In honor of Indigenous People’s Day (celebrated on October 9th this year,) SAFY is highlighting the Indian Child Welfare Act.
SAFY Comments on Historical Child Welfare Package
SAFY expresses our strong support for the recent announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the historic child welfare package aimed at bolstering support, equity, and protection within the child welfare system.