Before, during, and after Jason was in our lives, we sought out resources that would help us gain a greater understanding of what Jason was experiencing and how we could support through his struggles.  Some of the articles, books, and websites we found were incredibly useful while others were not.

Below, please find a list of the resources we found the most helpful.

Websites for Parents

• www.mspcc.org/aft: “Adoptive Families Together”, a branch of the Mass Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, provides resources for parents and families such as upcoming workshops and seminars; pamphlets; books; and additional information about ongoing support groups.
• www.talkinghearttoheart.org
• www.afcmentoring.org: AFC Mentoring, one of our favorite organizations, provides mentors for children in the foster care system and those aging out of the system. Ongoing training classes are held for those interested in mentoring a child.

Websites for Parents, Educators, & Clinicians

• www.livesinthebalance.org
• www.thinkkids.org: A self-funded program in the Mass General Hospital Psychiatry Department, this site contains information for parents, teachers and clinicians. Additionally, “Think Kids” provides trainings and workshops for those dealing with children who experience behavioral challenges.
• www.massadvocates.org: An advocacy organization for children in Massachusetts
• www.traumasensitiveschools.org:  If you work with children in the school system or are a parent of a child with behavioral/emotional issues, their publications are must reads – specifically, “Helping Traumatized Children Learn” and “Volume 2: Creating and Advocating for Trauma-Sensitive Schools”.
• www.refcanet.movement/heroes: This organization provides trainings and material to help camps and camp counselors
• www.wediko.org: an organization that provides school programs and an intense 45-day summer camp program for troubled children
• www.triumphcenter.net:  offers counseling, summer camp, and afterschool social skills programs for children
• http://www.margaretmahler.org: The Foundation’s work is aimed at increasing understanding of a child’s psychological and emotional development, particularly as observed in the separation-individuation process.  They also focus on communicating this understanding to parents, therapists, and childcare providers.

Books

about Early Childhood Trauma

• “To Scared to Cry: Psychic Trauma in Childhood” by Lenore Terr, MD: a book that describes the affect trauma has on children and, ultimately, all of us.
• “Unchained Memories” by Lenore Terr, MD
• “Attachment Theory and Psychoanalysis” by Peter Fonagy
• “The Inner World of Trauma” by Donald Kalched

about Foster Care & Adoption

• “Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow” by Gregory Keck and Regina M. Kupecky
• “Toddler Adoption: The Weaver’s Craft” by Mary Hopkins-Best
• “Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children” by Daniel A. Hughes
• “Troubled Transplants: Unconventional Strategies for Helping Disturbed Foster & Adopted Children“ by Richard Delaney
• “The Family of Adoption” by Joyce Maguire Pavao
• “Raising Adopted Children, Revised Edition: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent” by Lois Ruskai Melina