The ALIGN Journal is intended to focus on local and Canadian content. We want to present best practices in areas that people are working in, and provide room for critical inquiry into some of the promising programs, practices and research occurring in the community. The ALIGN Journal includes original research and evaluation, innovations in program development and policy and practice reviews
This particular Special Edition is a compilation of the work that was created and presented at the From Theory to Practice: Residential Care for Children and Youth Symposium April 28-29, 2016. The ALIGN Association of Community Services co-hosted this learning event with the Ministry of Human Services. The session was an opportunity for staff of both the Ministry and agencies to come together and learn about several organizational models of residential care and how important it is to use evidence informed practice in our care of these children and youth no matter the environment.
We explored how crucial the Foundations of Caregiver Support are and the significance of developing meaningful relationships with the children we care for in order to assist the change process. There was information shared about the effects early trauma and chronic stress has on brain development and how we as caregivers can help undo some of the early harm done to children.