Navigating the Challenges of Foster Care: A Call for Comprehensive Support and Empowerment
In her insightful reflections, Brynne Simmons, LCSW, sheds light on the inherently traumatic nature of foster care, emphasizing the profound impact it has on the mental well-being of youth. Delving…
Empowering Generations: The Pivotal Role of Grandmothers in Kinship Care
Acknowledging the significant role of grandmothers in kinship care is essential for fostering a supportive environment where youth can overcome challenges and thrive. Grandmothers play a multifaceted and crucial role…
ASCI’s Chapel Program Initiative: Empowering the Community’s Mental Well-being
The Chapel Program is a pioneering initiative developed through a collaboration between Bible Center Church, A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI), and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. The program…
Fostering Holistic Wellness: Nurturing the Well-being of Youth in Care and their Families featuring Dr. Patrick Crawford
Self-Love Month recognizes the significance of prioritizing one’s happiness and overall well-being. This is particularly crucial for youth in care who may be dealing with trauma. Focusing on self-love and…
Holiday Mental Health Resources
The holidays are supposed to be a joy-filled season, but they tend to be stressful and taxing for those impacted by mental illness. Dealing with mental well-being is an important…
ASCI Launches New Office in New Hampshire
ASCI is excited to announce the launch of its newest office in Concord, New Hampshire! After identifying the great need for more support for kinship families, the state of New…
We Are A Family! A Look Into The Klein’s Adoption Journey
According to The Children’s Information Gateway, there are over 391,000 children and youth in foster care and 38 percent were placed with relatives or kin. At ASCI, we know that kinship care is…
The Reaffirmation of ICWA: Reaffirming Native Cultural Identities and Family Structure
During November, we celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month by respecting the distinctive and divergent histories of American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN). While we celebrate their rich histories, we…
ASCI Presents: A Lived Experience Story ft. Victoria Giddens
Each month, A Second Chance, Inc. shares the voices of our kinship families through Q&A-style discussions. We are an agency that strives to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to children…
Kin-Specific Foster Home Licensure: Overview of New Federal Rule & Release of Recommended Standards
On September 28, 2023, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a final rule that explicitly gives all Title IV-E child welfare agencies the option to use kin-specific foster care…