Clackamas County resident Sue Lewis is passionate about helping her local community — and her specialized skills and more than 20 years of experience as a forensic interviewer provide her with a unique platform for doing so. For the past seven years, Lewis has served as the Child Interviewer Supervisor at Children’s Center — Clackamas County’s...
Children’s Center of Clackamas County is a place where children and families come to begin their healing journey from abuse and neglect. It’s also a wonderful place to work. On Thursday, Oct. 5, 2018, Children’s Center was named Oregon's top medium-sized (20-49 employees) nonprofit to work for at the "100 Best Nonprofits to work for...
Parents of a certain age will recall the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Many of us were taught to say that when others spoke to us unkindly. But name-calling by parents may do as much harm to children’s minds as any physical object might do...
“Disciplining your children is NOT easy! The most challenging part of parenting is understanding your child’s developmental stages—and then figuring out the most loving, consistent, and developmentally-appropriate way to discipline them without crossing the line into physical punishment. It’s my role as a pediatric professional to help parents along this journey, so that both children...
According to experts, a good night’s sleep is just one reward enjoyed by those who maintain an “attitude of gratitude.” Among the many other benefits are increased self-esteem, hope, empathy, and optimism, as well as more positive perceptions of school and family....
Sue Skinner, MD, joined Children’s Center in 2010 as Examiner Supervisor. She has been working in the field of child abuse and neglect for more than 20 years. Earlier this week, we sat down with Dr. Skinner for a brief interview to discuss the importance of this community panel and determine why the topic of...
It sounds silly to suggest “teaching” children what would seem the most natural of human functions. But mindful breathing takes practice. Introducing children to the practice at an early age is one of the most precious gifts we can bestow....
"And I believe in the extraordinary capacity and resiliency of the human spirit," writes Executive Director, Tom Soma. "Which is why, in times of darkness, I continue looking for light. Children’s Center is a place of light. A place of hope. A place where children can truly believe that something better is possible."...
A growing body of research demonstrates that stress and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) alter brain chemistry, causing serious health issues down the road (obesity, heart disease, addiction, and suicide, to name a few). On the flip side, however, children bathed in affection tend to have higher self-esteem, less anxiety, and greater success in school....
While slang references abound, the use of incorrect, inappropriate, or sometimes incomprehensible names for children’s body parts undermines their physical, social, and sexual development....