04/29/2026
School is about to let out for the summer. For many families that means vacations, summer camps, sunshine, and memory making. For many other families, summer means added stress. Families have to figure out how to manage more kids at home all day, or how to pay for additional childcare. There are teens who struggle with boredom and isolation, or they find unhealthy ways to fill unsupervised hours. Some siblings take on the caretaker role over the summer and don't really get a break. The heat, change in routines, extra meals, and increases in utility and childcare costs can all create stress for youth and families.
Our child dashboard has shown significant summertime spikes in certain indicators of family stress over the past four years. We want to get ahead of the trend this year. As a system of care, we all play a role in helping families alleviate the weight of summertime stressors. We'll explore protective factors for families; including what our own organizations are doing, how others are helping, and other more informal ways our families can find relief. We want you to walk away with resources and connections that you can pass on to families.
