PC CARE: Caregivers and Children Together

10/23/2024

At UC Davis Health, the CAARE Center (Child and Adolescent Abuse Resource and Evaluation) helps families in our greater Sacramento region escape domestic violence, unsafe conditions, or unstable housing, and transition away from homeless shelters and into local housing. We are participating in a crowdfund to raise money to help support some of our most vulberable and marginalized families.

We need help to reach our goal of $5000 by the end of October! If you can spare a few dollars, a little can go a long way. Your tax-deductible gift will be used to help provide household essentials, including furniture, beds, warm bedding, kitchenware, baby care necessities, and more.

Click the link to donate today:

https://www.givecampus.com/artq92

08/19/2024

"Amidst this chaos, a glimmer of hope emerged. We were introduced to Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE), a pioneering program designed to help families strengthen bonds and manage trauma-induced stress. Trained by the University of California Davis, we eagerly embraced this opportunity to adapt and implement PC-CARE for Ukrainian and Spanish-speaking families—a lifeline amidst the turmoil.

PC-CARE’s structured approach and emphasis on PRIDE skills—Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe and Enjoy—proved transformative. Ukrainian children, grappling with aggression or withdrawal as responses to the horrors of war, began to find solace. Caregivers, often overwhelmed and unsure, learned to step back, understand and support their children in new, profound ways.

I vividly recall one young boy, initially prone to outbursts and defiance, slowly opening up during our sessions. His mother, exhausted and fearful, discovered a path to connect with him through the program’s strategies. As trust grew, the boy shared his fears and dreams, and the healing began.

In the pilot phase, we focused on ten Ukrainian families, each with their own harrowing tales of survival and hope. Week by week, we witnessed transformations: tearful confessions turned into laughter, tense moments softened into hugs. Through PC-CARE, families rediscovered the joy of being together, even in the face of unspeakable adversity.

For me, this journey is deeply personal. As a psychologist, bridging cultural divides and helping my fellow Ukrainians navigate trauma became not just a profession, but a mission of the heart. Each session reaffirmed the power of empathy and resilience—qualities that transcend borders and languages.

As I reflect on my role, and on the parents who entrusted us with their children’s healing, I am reminded of the profound responsibility we have in shaping young lives. Parenting, especially in times of crisis, demands not only love but also understanding and patience. The PC-CARE program illuminated paths of compassion and support, offering families tools to navigate their darkest hours."

Healing Hearts: Ukrainian Children Find Hope Amidst War Trauma Bohdana Shulha | July 16, 2024 The day began with devastating news for Ukrainians across the globe. Russian forces, in a heart-wrenching act of brutality, bombed Ukraine’s largest hospital for children with cancer and other serious ill...

03/13/2024

"The Sacramento County Child Abuse Prevention Council released our final evaluation report for the Child Safety Forward initiative in 2023. Our findings around limited data, leadership structure, and policies and practices supporting prevention efforts led to the 2019 convening of multisystem leaders as part of a new Sacramento County Prevention Cabinet. This was charged with supporting our overarching vision of eliminating child abuse and neglect deaths and critical injuries by 2030. "

Learn more in the evaluation report:

Our Expertise: Child & Family Well-Being Child Safety Forward A national initiative to reduce child abuse and neglect fatalities and injuries through a collaborative, community-based approach.

03/08/2024

"I think the major takeaway is that it is OK and good for kids to be bored and have unstructured time," psychologist Brandi Hawk said.

Dr. Hawk is a psychologist with UC Davis Health. She says whether it's inside or outside, letting kids play independently, even if they say they're bored, is key.

"It's saying you should still parent, still be in charge of helping your child make healthy choices. You should ensure they have fun things to do," Hawk said. "You should spend time with your kids but you should also give them space to breathe and make their own decisions and sometimes that means making their own mistakes."

How often do you let your children play independently? A recent paper published​ in the Journal of Pediatrics argues a lack of independent play may be affecting their mental health.