Denver's Early Childhood Council’s Post

"During her family and child development studies, Cassidy Leggett noticed the gap between theory, practical support, and community for families, inspiring her to provide transformative guidance. Specializing in child sleep, newborn care, and child behavior, she offers science-based tools attuned to each family's unique dynamics, emphasizing the critical role of sleep in promoting optimal brain health. Her approach aligns behavior with temperament for holistic child growth. With her expertise, Cassidy empowers families to navigate challenges confidently, fostering deeply enriching home environments for maximum growth."

What Is It Like to Navigate the Maze of Early Childhood Developmental Services? In our most recent blog post, ABCD Collaboration Manager Nikki Fitch takes a deep dive into how ABCD is elevating families’ experiences within systems of care. Learn about how your practice or organization can create better experiences for families: https://lnkd.in/gvZnj8P2

Blue Balloon ABA is expanding! We are thrilled to announce the launch of Children's Specialized ABA in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health This innovative program expands our service areas and enables us to serve more children and their families. Leveraging the expertise of both organizations, Children's Specialized ABA will provide holistic, compassionate care tailored to each child’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) will deliver services in natural settings including homes, schools, and our centers. Launching in early 2025, we aim to reach more families in need, with a comprehensive approach that includes therapy options like speech and occupational services. Together with RWJBarnabas Health, we are committed to creating meaningful interventions that empower children with autism to reach their full potential. So excited to serve as the Regional Clinical Director of New Jersey for Children's Specialized ABA!!

Our capacity to simultaneously experience conflicting emotions as parents - we can be both nervous and excited about our children’s independence, we can mourn the end of one stage of life, and look with unprecedented anticipation at what lies ahead - allows us to see the full arc of adolescence. Read more in today's blog, The Arc of Adolescence: Partnering with Families https://hubs.ly/Q02vGNKQ0

"What Happened to You?" is a Modified Must-Read for November As we honor National Family Caregivers Month and Native American Heritage Month, I’ve been reflecting on how we understand trauma, resilience, and the stories that shape us. The book What Happened to You by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey offers profound insights into the impact of trauma and the power of empathy. For family caregivers, this book provides validation and tools to better support loved ones who may be processing their own challenges. It reminds us to approach caregiving with compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to healing. For educators and leaders, particularly during American Education Week, it challenges us to shift from asking "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" — fostering deeper connections and inclusive practices in our classrooms and communities. In the spirit of November's themes of gratitude and awareness, let’s use this month to build stronger relationships by listening, understanding, and learning from each other. Have you read What Happened to You? How has it shaped your perspective on trauma, resilience, or connection? #FamilyCaregiversMonth #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #AmericanEducationWeek #TraumaInformedCare #InclusiveLeadership

When it comes to early childhood development, the conditions in the places where children live, grow, play, and learn shape their development, lifelong physical and mental health, and well-being. By working across policy domains - including those well beyond traditional "children’s issues" - we can provide all children with developmental environments that support their health and well-being, along with their caregivers. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZtjEWK.

What if all systems worked seamlessly to respond to the varied needs of children and families and operated from core mutually understood principles of child development and trauma? Children have much to tell us, and we are listening. Voce’s Forum on Pennsylvania’s Children has a special focus this year: youth voice and engagement. Children who experience trauma tell us that a multidisciplinary system of support is required to heal and address root causes and to achieve personal and community safety. FPaC is for anyone serving children impacted by trauma, including social workers, educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, community leaders, medical providers, faith leaders and more. Join us! https://lnkd.in/ew7HsuUa

The Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families (CCFF) is one of our newest partners. Focused on improving child outcomes and enhance families and communities, their work recognizes the crucial role fathers play in their children's lives, and proactively engages and supports them in the parenting process. Learn the facts about the profound effects positive father engagement has on family and child well-being, health, and life outcomes across the lifespan. https://ow.ly/k79l50RPUXY

At Thriving Together TN (https://lnkd.in/eFUaVM5H), and especially in their Safe Baby Court programs, staff work with caregivers on “simple” concepts like these seen in this adorable TED Talk (in the comments); however, many parents struggle with complex barriers (e.g., untreated mental illness, substance use, inability to meet basic needs, intimate partner violence, destructive coping methods) that can distract from their ability to provide these key components of healthy development to their young child. Supporting organizations like Thriving Together means you’re helping parents get the resources they need to change unhealthy behaviors to new ones, creating pathways that improve their whole family’s future. You’re helping “break the cycle” which gives babies a stronger foundation, which will eventually lead to them becoming productive, healthy citizens in our communities. Will you join me in giving to this important mission?