Title: Fostering the Magic of Connection: Spreading Elf Cheer to All Who Are Near
Date: December 3rd, 2024
Time: 10am - 11am CST/ 11am- 12pm EST
Description: The winter season, often resonating as a time of joy and celebration, can also unwrap hidden loss and unexpected emotions in the hearts of some. In a whirlwind of traditions and holiday cheer, foster children and families may experience the holiday through a different lens. This session will highlight how Infant and Early Mental Health professionals can hold foster children, parents, and families in mind, with compassion and connection, while also reflecting on how to navigate these sometimes-tumultuous situations. Attendees can expect to glean a deeper understanding of the emotional impact the holidays may have on foster children, considerations on how a foster child's family of origin and traditions could be woven into celebrations, and friendly tips to keep in mind as the holiday season approaches. The session will highlight Kid's Place: A Child Advocacy Center, as they spread Elf joy and Stockings for Survivors to foster families across Tennessee. Learn how we can all come together through awareness and holiday cheer, putting on our own Elf hats and bringing smiles to those we serve!
Presenter(s):
Charlsi Legendre, Executive Director, MS
Charlsi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies from Lamar University in 2000, and her Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana University in 2019. She has dedicated her career to protecting and advocating for our society's most vulnerable population, our children. Charlsi worked for Child Protective Services in Houston, Texas, for six years before her family relocated to Tennessee, where she has exclusively worked in Child Advocacy Centers. She has been a trained Forensic Interviewer since 2006 for Nashville Children's Alliance, then for Davis House Child Advocacy Center. In 2013, Charlsi went back to Nashville Children's Alliance as the CPIT Coordinator and was promoted to Director of Forensic and Family Services during her time at NCA. Charlsi joined Kid's Place as Executive Director in 2022, and is excited to lead the team of professionals dedicated to serving the mission: To provide Hope, Help, and Healing.
Who is Kid's Place?
Kid’s Place: A Child Advocacy Center opened our doors to Lawrence County in 1999, as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Kid’s Place specializes in providing Hope, Help, and Healing to children and families who have been impacted by sexual and severe forms of child abuse in the 22nd Judicial District including Giles, Lawrence, Maury, and Wayne Counties in Middle Tennessee. As the only Child Advocacy Center in the area, Kid’s Place works harmoniously with the Department of Children’s Services, the Office of the District Attorney General, law enforcement agencies including: local city and county agencies, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Homeland Security. Kid’s Place serves as a satellite location for Our Kids Clinic to provide forensic medical examinations.
To find out more about how to support Foster Children this Holiday Season click here.