The parents and caregivers who make up the PAC each have incredible stories of experiences that not only shaped them as individuals, but inspired them to act and create powerful change in their communities.
Life often thrusts unexpected challenges upon us, pushing our limits and reshaping our paths. For our family, the profound loss of our son, Anthony, who struggled with ADHD and other learning difficulties, became the catalyst for a powerful mission.
Regardless of how a child might enter the Juvenile Justice System, we must be honest and acknowledge that our "system," does not always work the way it should. The system was designed to respond to kids who make mistakes and provide them with rehabilitative and therapeutic interventions. The system itself often fails to recognize the inherent potential for children to change.
Learning differences already present significant hurdles in a student’s academic and social life. When compounded by mental health issues the struggle can become debilitating. This is an issue worth paying attention to.
Through a $3.75 million grant awarded by North Carolina legislators to the Alliance, North Carolina YMCAs are committed to addressing the critical needs of teens by identifying mental health challenges, providing resources and connections to mental health providers, and fostering supportive communities that understand mental health is part of our overall health.
The event, which gathered more than 250 parents, community organizations, industry leaders, and legislators, examined the landscape around critical issues impacting child health and well-being.
The North Carolina Child Health Champion award celebrates the commitment and positive contributions an individual or organization has made in service of creating better health outcomes for North Carolina’s children and families.
The early years of a child’s life are full of growth as they race towards reaching critical developmental milestones. They say their first words, take their first steps, and they sprout—and even lose—their baby teeth.
