News

Dear Director: The Meltdown Edition
The wise director explains why some children never learned how to self-regulate due to trauma and neglect. She explains how to teach them this skill through co-regulation!

Trauma from Riverfront Park Fourth of July shooting scare is real
Originally published on Pennlive By Kay Broderick Thousands of people were at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg on July 4, celebrating the holiday and waiting for the traditional fireworks display. Then panic struck. People heard a shout of “gun!” That was followed by what sounded like gun shots causing terror and people to run. In the
Dear Director: The Podcast Edition
It was my father who told me that if you are not learning, then you are preparing to die. He was a voracious reader, crossword-puzzle doer, lecture attender, conversationalist, and life-long learner. He seemed to know something about everything, except the trivia that was my mother’s job. They lived their life astounded by the new things that happened in their time on earth. You should too. You never know when the thing you really need was just figured out and someone is ready to teach you about it.
JFS Celebrates 50 Years of Kosher Meals on Wheels & Expanded Food Pantry
Click here for the full gallery of photos from the event! On a mild Spring evening last week, 225 community members were held spellbound by Chef Michael Solomonov candid, humorous and humble reflections on the role of Israel in his life, the future of Israeli cuisine and how he came to grips with his

Good Day PA: Jewish Family Service Celebrating 50 Years of Meals on Wheels
June 2, 2022 “Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg is celebrating 50 years of their Kosher Meals on Wheels Program that delivers fresh nutritious meals to seniors in Central PA. In addition they’ve expanded their food pantry, ensuring folks in need have a place to go for food. Learn more about their work and an

Dear Director: The Hard-To-Parent Child Edition
Do you remember Spirographs? They are still out there, those silly cogs with the pen holes so you can make designs? I loved mine as a kid. I loved the shapes and colors and the designs. But mostly I loved how little change it took
to get a whole new pattern. Just one cog tooth over and voila! Difference! So apply that same approach to parenting your daughter Violet when what you are doing is not working. Change how you respond, and she will change too, and pretty soon, voila! New pattern.

A New Parenting Toolkit
If you gathered 5 parents in a room who all adopted children who experienced complex early trauma, they would each share almost identical challenging scenarios about their children. Tantrums are the most common issue, but not far behind are clingy children, and as these children grow, lying becomes the largest concern. The problem is traditional parenting does not work for these kids. As much as you may want to use time-out and punishment to teach your children, you will only alienate them more. These kids have a brain that is different than your neuro-typical ones. Read on for ideas on how to build a new parenting toolkit to encourage a peaceful home and to form a healing connection with your “hard-to-parent” child.

Who Are Those Hard-To-Parent Children?
Parenting is hard work. Parenting children who experienced early complex trauma is even more difficult. By understanding that parent-child interaction is the first step to building trust and attachment that inevitably will make your parenting journey more full of ease and even joy!

Dear Director: The Oxygen Mask Edition
Dear Director,
What’s the big deal about self-care for adoptive parents. I cannot see the connection. Besides, I don’t have time or money! Please shed light oh wise director
Yours truly, tired and confused