ALICE Data and Child Welfare: What Working Families in Crisis Mean for Nonprofits in the Southeast
Millions of employed households in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee cannot afford basic necessities. Here is what the ALICE report reveals, why it matters for child welfare, and what organizations like Thompson can do to respond. What Is ALICE and Why Does It Matter for Child Welfare? ALICE stands for Asset Limited, […]
Family Reunification Month: Every Family Has a Story Worth Fighting For
Written by Laurie Stern June is Family Reunification Month, a time to honor families who have done the hard work to safely reunite with their children, and the communities that walk alongside them. After nearly 25 years in child welfare, one belief has stayed with me from the very beginning: Most parents do not wake […]
Home for Every Child: Why Foster Care Recruitment Needs a New Approach
As National Foster Care Month shines a light on the need for more foster families, one reality remains clear: America does not have enough foster homes for the number of children entering care. This article explores why outdated recruitment strategies are no longer enough and why child welfare organizations must embrace modern marketing, technology, and engagement strategies to create lasting change.
140 Years of Impact: How Thompson Is Building the Future of Child and Family Services
This May, Thompson marks 140 years of serving children and families. That’s a milestone worth honoring. But the real story isn’t about the past — it’s about what the organization is building next. The need facing children and families today is growing. Meeting that need doesn’t just require heart; it requires scale, discipline, and the […]
Beyond the Blue Pinwheel: What Child Abuse Prevention Really Looks Like
Every April, blue pinwheels pop up in front of buildings, fill social media feeds, and line lawns in quiet, colorful rows. They’re the national symbol for child abuse prevention — a reminder of what every child deserves: a happy, safe, healthy childhood. At their best, they spark awareness. They get people to stop scrolling and […]
Strong Families Don’t Need Fixing. They Need Support.
Every February, Family Support Awareness Month reminds us of something child- and family-serving professionals know well: strong families thrive when they have the right resources and guidance, not when systems wait for problems to get worse. At Thompson, our mission is simple: serve children and families through healing, teaching, worship and play. We believe: “Most […]