A list of activities to get you and your family started on naming what you are thankful for. You can get as creative as you want with these or keep it simple.

A fun example of the science behind gratitude, explaining why it’s important and how it impacts our brains and helps us build resilience.

Nexus Family Healing names Bryon Fracchia Executive Director of their Baltimore agency, Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing.

In this role, Fracchia will provide leadership and oversee operations of Nexus-Woodbourne’s residential treatment, education, and treatment foster care programs. Fracchia has been serving as interim Executive Director at Nexus-Woodbourne, and prior was the Education Director at the Woodbourne School, the agency’s non-public middle and high school.

“Mr. Fracchia was selected for his outstanding communication skills, strong work ethic, focus on operational excellence and vision for the future of Nexus-Woodbourne,” said Bobbi Kochevar, Chief Operating Officer. “He is passionate about the youth we serve and ensuring we put them on a path to a brighter future.”

Every person’s journey is different, especially when it comes to finding personal health and well-being. These holistic lessons below are helpful reminders when your mindset may be struggling, when you're having difficulty finding positive momentum forward, and needing to change your perspective. 

I'm concerned for my family's safety because my 30-year-old son screams, hollers, makes noises and scares all of us, while refusing to talk to anybody. I don't know what to do about it and I am afraid to confront him because I am scared about what he might do. I'm thinking of sleeping with a baseball bat for protection. What should I do?

When you see or experience a child or teen acting out, what is often your first thought? For most, that first reactionary thought is not one of empathy nor is it thinking about the deeper meaning behind the behavior. If you take a step back and search to understand why a child may be having a certain “undesirable” attitude or outburst, it can solve the problem in a faster, friendlier, and less stressful way.

Elyssa is a proud parent of five-year-old twin boys. While in preschool last year, Elyssa and the boys’ teachers noticed that their social play was a little “off” and that they were not participating in groups or playing with the other children. The preschool referred Elyssa to Nexus-FACTS where a diagnostic assessment was completed, and the children received a preliminary diagnosis of Autism.

Charlotte, 5 years old, started her kindergarten year of school extremely dysregulated. Charlotte was referred to Nexus-PATH’s School Case Management where her case manager worked with her and her parents to build relationships and identify what she needed to be successful.

My husband lost his job at the start of the pandemic. Which was scary but he has since found a new one. My problem is he now works all the time putting in long hours – more than I think he needs to. I don’t mind caring for the kids and managing the house but I barely see him and he’s missing our kids' activities. I think he’s afraid to lose his job again. How can I get him to stop working so much?

Dakota County and Nexus Family Healing are celebrating the opening of Aspen House, a short-term residential facility for Dakota and Washington counties to place youth ages 12–18 who temporarily need a safe place to stay. Staff plan to open Aspen House October 2022.

Aspen House will not only provide temporary housing, but will also offer mental health care, ranging from assessments and services to recreational and educational activities. It will also provide educational instruction and coordinate with community providers and supporting organizations to further help teens in crisis. The facility has 12 beds and could help more than 100 youth annually.

Aspen House is located in Mendota Heights. The facility is a collaboration of Dakota and Washington counties. Nexus Family Healing is the operating partner that will provide 24/7 on-site staffing.