Have you hugged a case manger today? It’s National Case Manager's Week!

Case Managers who work with children in foster care have a tough job. At Childhelp, we have some of the best case managers around and we see these selfless saints give of themselves daily. They go above and beyond to do what is best for "their" kids. They are in this field because they want to help and never expect thanks. But just like other public servants, they deserve to be appreciated. Take a moment to thank people you know who serve kids in the foster system. Their jobs are so difficult and when they get off at the end of the day, the stress still lingers on their minds. Childhelp appreciates ALL case managers who daily put kids first.  Thank you!

Here are some of the things we have observed about our  very own case managers:

Walter Ramirez

Walter is our newest case manager and has such a gentle spirit.  He is kind, generous with his time, and has a heart to help children.  In addition to his amazing ability with kids, Walter is great with technology and managing all of the many "input" responsibilities that case managers have. He is quick to tell you that he feels God has called him to help children.  His favorite part about his job is the smiles he gets to witness on the faces of the children he serves. He has been such a delight to have at Childhelp and truly a team member!

Shana Leist

Shana has been a foster parent and understands so well the struggles foster parents face. That is one of the many reasons she is so loved by her families.  Shana truly gives her best to all of the families she serves and many have mentioned that she has become a life-long friend. Our kids adore Shana and it is very evident with their open arms when she enters a room! One of Shana's favorite things about being a case manager is being able to see a child through in the the worst time of their life. Walking beside them and helping them is such a privilege.

Mark Akers

Mark has such great energy and sense of humor!  He always has a song in his heart and his positive outlook on life is contagious. The families he serves see this as well and value the time they spend with him. Mark has such a servant's heart and often goes above and beyond to be helpful. He serves the children, foster parents, and Childhelp with the utmost of selflessness and always does it with a great attitude. Mark is also a talented musician and occasionally blesses us with his advanced, instrument playing skills! It is something to see and hear!

Amanda has a heart for children. She understands with wisdom way beyond her years some of the struggles they face. Amanda truly invests in each of her families and loves "her" kids and advocates for their well being. Amanda brings a great attitude into work everyday.  She is such a great team player and works hard to help others. We are so happy to have Amanda as she gives so much of herself to others! Amanda loves to watch children as they progress in overcoming such traumatic beginnings.
We celebrate those milestones with you, Amanda!

We are so blessed at Childhelp with Case Managers who are dedicating their lives to help kids.  Join us in celebrating them and others in this field who deserve recognition and our sincerest thanks!

Anger Management

Triggers. We all have them.  Little things that will set our blood to boiling. Maybe it is hearing your child whining that sets you off. Maybe it is siblings arguing. Maybe it is the teenage "know-it-all" attitude.

Whatever it is, when it happens, it triggers us and then, well...


We blow up.
We explode.
We say things that we really don't mean.
We over react.

Sound familiar?

All of us are plagued with little time bombs that threaten our sanity. Could it be it is time to take a different approach?  Perhaps we should take a moment and actually define what sets us off and then decide in advance how we are going to behave. We decide to follow a new script. We rehearse this scenario in our minds and in front of the mirror if needed, and we change the way WE react. We can be our own bomb detonators if we want to be. After all, we are the adults in any given situation and it probably will behoove us to act like it!

So when Susie sasses you at the dinner table, the  new script that you already have ready in your mind is "Susie, would you like to say that again with respect?"

Not the old 20 minute lecture.

Not the regular exchange where each of your voices are elevating with every passing second.

Instead, in the end Susie expresses herself with a little less sass. You avoid giving your hearty, intense but meaningful lecture on the way children should talk to their parents, and before you know it, you have moved smoothly to the next topic. I know, I know, you love that lecture. But, your child doesn't and shuts down after a minute anyway. We might as well make the most of that minute!

Deciding in advance how we will handle our triggers will most definitely help us avoid the fall out of overreaction and the angry exchanges that leave us feeling guilty and inadequate. I must admit I tend to be more reactionary than I would like to be. Thinking through things and planning my response is the very best way for me to train myself to respond differently. If I am always reacting in the moment, the bomb is always going to go off. But, if having thought it through in advance, even writing down my response, keeps the bomb squad from showing up in my head, sirens blaring, then I think it is worth a shot.

So here is our new plan of action: (By the way, this plan can work for spouses too)

Decide on what behaviors trigger your anger.

Decide how you will react every time this is said or done.

Practice your response. Write it out. Say it in the mirror.

Then wait for your test!

We can change our behavior! We can decide how we will respond! No more angry outbursts! No more fall outs that actually damage the relationship! And, (you can hear the collective sigh from children everywhere) no more angry lectures.

The truth is, in any relationship, the ONLY person we can control is ourselves. If we are successful at controlling our own reaction to those who want to pull our triggers, then we can have a level of peace we didn't think possible!


Every wound healed.  Every child, a home.