Explore 2025 Blog Posts Below
Summer Parenting Tips - What Professionals Can Do To Support Parents of Infants
Professionals working with families can play an essential role in guiding parents to ensure their infants are safe, comfortable, and healthy during the hotter months. Here are key tips for parents managing infant care during the summer:
Human Trafficking Awareness Day: Standing Against Exploitation
Join the fight against human trafficking this Human Trafficking Awareness Day, January 11th. Learn the signs, report suspected trafficking, and support organizations working to end modern-day slavery. Together, we can raise awareness, advocate for stronger protections, and help victims break free.
Learn More About Our Team Member Daria "Dasha" Palatna
Meet Daria 'Dasha' Palatna, Program Manager at the Institute for Human Services, as she shares her journey in social work and child welfare. Learn about her research on community mobilization in Ukraine, the similarities and differences between child welfare in the USA and Ukraine, and her personal approach to self-care. Explore her career highlights and wellness practices that keep her balanced and thriving.
April's Focus on Social Work - Get to Know Nan Beeler
Discover the journey of Nan Beeler, MSW, Program Manager at the Institute for Human Services, who has dedicated nearly 38 years to social work and child welfare. In this interview, Nan shares her passion for helping children and families, the mentors who empowered her, and her memorable career highlights in child welfare training. She also offers advice for longevity in the field and discusses her personal self-care practices, including travel, family time, and staying active.
The Global and Medical Impact of Child Abuse
Recognizing Brain Injury Awareness Month, we highlight the global efforts to address child abuse as a medical issue. Through a partnership with the International Leadership and Development Center (ILDC) in Ukraine, the Institute for Human Services (IHS) has trained over 1,500 doctors to identify and prevent child abuse, including Shaken Baby Syndrome. This initiative empowers medical professionals, raises awareness, and strengthens child protection systems worldwide, ensuring safer environments for children.
Period of PURPLE Crying: Unraveling Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) Triggers
Learn about the Period of PURPLE Crying (PoPC), an effective intervention designed to educate parents on normal infant crying and coping strategies. Developed by Dr. Ronald G. Barr, PoPC has led to positive behavioral changes, reduced pediatric emergency room visits, and a 75% decrease in injuries related to Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) among participating parents. This evidence-based program is crucial for preventing AHT and supporting parents, especially in economically disadvantaged communities.
Empowering Social Workers - Learn About One of Our Own
Celebrate National Social Work Month with the theme 'Empowering Social Workers.' Reflect on how empowerment shapes personal growth, enhances skills, and drives social change. Explore the importance of empowering others, overcoming obstacles, and preventing burnout in the social work field. Recognize the vital role social workers play in supporting vulnerable populations and how they continue to evolve and make a difference in their communities.