For this episode, podcast producer Dion Mcgill comes in front of the mic to discuss with host Cassandra Otoo the newest report released by Voices of Child Health in Chicago. The report, "Gun Violence Exposure and the Mental Health Impact Among Chicago Youth" highlights the effects of exposure to gun violence on the health of youth, as reported by Chicago area parents. We talk about what exactly is Voices of Child Health in Chicago and the work that they do. We also discuss the importance of reports like those released by VOCHIC, and what immediately jumped out to us from this report, and how this information impacts the work we do in SCY and in our Juvenile Justice Collaborative Project. Note: Cassandra Otoo accidentally misstates her title. She is the Program Coordinator for the Juvenile Justice Collaborative. Resources: Voices of Child Health in Chicago (https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/voices-of-child-health-in-chicago/Gun-Violence-Exposure-and-Mental-Health-Impact-Among-Chicago-Youth) Changing the Beat of Mental Health: Amplifying Our Voice Report (https://www.healingthroughjustice.org/_files/ugd/7de017_24ae0dbf2403443bbd898cb19e085a60.pdf) Juvenile Justice Collaborative (https://scy-chicago.org/projects/juvenile-justice-collaborative) Parenting Support Initiative Resources (https://scy-chicago.org/projects/parenting-support-initiative-parenting-support-podcast) Be sure to visit the Strengthening Chicago's Youth website (https://scy-chicago.org/) to sign up for the SCY newsletter and for more information on SCY. Also, you can follow SCY on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrengtheningChicagosYouth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scy_chicago/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCY_Chicago Be sure to subscribe, and we would love it if you left a rate and review.

For the third consecutive year, gun violence is the top most common social concern among Chicago parents (regardless of demographic factors including race, gender, socioeconomic status, parental status, etc). In this episode of the Parenting Supports Podcast, host Cassandra Otoo sits down with Doctors Deanna Behrens and Audrey Brewer to talk all things gun safety. Topics covered include: * Having firearms inside the home and safe storage * How to have conversations with youth about firearm safety * Links between mental health and gun violence * Resources for parents on gun safety and mental health supports Resources: Strengthening Chicago's Youth Parenting Support Toolkits (https://scy-chicago.org/projects/parenting-support-initiative-parenting-support-podcast/) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/) SAMHSA National Helpline (https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline) American Academy of Pediatrics (https://www.aap.org/) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (https://www.aacap.org/) Be Smart For Kids (https://besmartforkids.org/) Be sure to visit the Strengthening Chicago's Youth website (https://scy-chicago.org/) to sign up for the SCY newsletter and for more information on SCY. Also, you can follow SCY on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrengtheningChicagosYouth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scy_chicago/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCY_Chicago Be sure to subscribe, and we would love it if you left a rate and review.

In this episode of the Strengthening Chicago's Youth Parenting Support Podcast, host Cassandra Otoo discusses stress and anxiety with Lurie Children's staff members Megan Lerner, Clinical Coordinator of the Trauma Treatment Service and Miller Shivers, PhD, Director of the Little Ones program. It continues to be a challenging time for parents, and Megan and Miller offer tons of insight into issues around parental stress. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode of this special challenge series.Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app. You can learn more about the Lurie Children's Little Ones program here: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/little-ones/ Follow Strengthening Chicago's Youth on social media: * Facebook.com/StrengtheningChicagosYouth * Twitter.com/SCY_Chicago * Instagram.com/SCY_Chicago If you have additional questions or feedback, please feel free to send us an email at scy@luriechildrens.org You can also sign up for the SCY Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3eKlSf6 This episode was produced by Dion Mcgill, SCY Communications Manager

In this episode of the Strengthening Chicago's Youth Parenting Support Podcast, host Cassandra Otoo discusses all things parenting and trauma with Lurie Children's staff members Anthony Vesco, PhD., a pediatric psychologist and Megan Lerner, Clinical Coordinator of the Trauma Treatment Service. The trio dive into the question of what role trauma plays in parenting, and what can be done to address trauma in the family. It has been a challenging year for parents, and Megan and Anthony offer tons of insight into issues around trauma that parents may be worried about, or currently dealing with. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode of this special challenge series.Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app. Follow Strengthening Chicago's Youth on social media: * Facebook.com/StrengtheningChicagosYouth * Twitter.com/SCY_Chicago * Instagram.com/SCY_Chicago If you have additional questions or feedback, please feel free to send us an email at scy@luriechildrens.org You can also sign up for the SCY Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3eKlSf6 This episode was produced by Dion Mcgill, SCY Communications Manager

In the inaugural episode of the Strengthening Chicago's Youth Parent Support Podcast, host Cassandra Otoo dives right in with a robust discussion on parental self-care during covid with Tara Seider, a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Gail Brodkey, a licensed clinical social worker and coordinator for the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Chicago at Lurie Children's Hospital. It has been a challenging year for parents, and Tara and Gail offer information and tips on positive self-care during these tumultuous times, and even offers a few short exercises parents can use. This episode is not to be missed! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode of this special challenge series.Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app. Follow Strengthening Chicago's Youth on social media: * Facebook.com/StrengtheningChicagosYouth * Twitter.com/SCY_Chicago * Instagram.com/SCY_Chicago If you have additional questions or feedback, please feel free to send us an email at scy@luriechildrens.org You can also sign up for the SCY Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3eKlSf6 This episode was produced by Dion Mcgill, SCY Communications Manager