MCH Staff Attend Waco Career Event
Administrators, supervisors and human resources staff from Methodist Children’s Home attended a career expo at the Waco Convention Center to share about the variety of employment opportunities at MCH. The event was open to the community, but marketed toward veterans, service members and families seeking employment.
“Events like these enhance our visibility while also connecting MCH with community members that might not come across our online job postings,” said Traci Wagner, vice president for programs, who attended the hiring fair. “Veterans, especially, have already committed to something larger than themselves and have acquired skills that could translate well to the child and family welfare field. Their background, coupled with a sense of duty and commitment to the mission of MCH, is a win-win for us all.”
Brooke Davilla, vice president for organizational effectiveness, added that MCH is taking a collaborative approach toward recruitment and hiring.
“It takes the support of both our HR and Programs teams to ensure we are identifying highly skilled, mission-oriented individuals who represent the vast needs of all we serve,” she said. •
Foster/Adoption Staff Gather for Training
Homecoming at MCH
Students and staff at the University of Texas – University Charter School (UT-UCS) celebrated homecoming in October with themed costume days, a pep rally and homecoming court during the Friday night football game. The MCH Admissions department also hosted a tailgate party for families before the football game with food, face-painting and games. The Bulldogs football team defeated St. Mary’s 68-20 for the homecoming win, which was also the 100th win for the six-man football program. •
Tyler Family Outreach Events in September
The staff of MCH Family Outreach in Tyler participated in several community events and collaborations this fall. Staff participated in the Shine Conference for Women, attended training at the East Texas Network for Children Conference and provided a presentation of services at the missions fair at First Baptist Church of Bullard.
“I am thankful to work in a community that understands our mission and embraces MCH,” said Kristy George, director of MCH Family Outreach in Tyler. “We have wonderful community partners who allow us to share the hope we have for children and families with those they serve. Together, we all play our part in strengthening the Tyler and surrounding communities.” •
MCH Staff Receive Training on Digital Wellness
In September, more than 120 MCH employees participated in a training both in-person and virtually by Talk More Tech Less, an online safety and digital wellness organization. Dawn Wible, the founder of Talk More Tech Less, is a certified digital wellness educator and advocate who trains organizations and students how to identify and combat harmful online activity and break free of digital addiction.
“Kids today are asking the questions: ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Where do I belong?’ and they’re looking for answers on social media platforms, most of which are often feeding negative answers,” Wible said. “If kids can align their values with who they really are, they can be better equipped to combat the negative voices.”
Quoting author Gretchen Rubin, Wible described technology as “a good servant, but a bad master.” With the increase of social media platforms and rise in cyberbullying and online predatory engagement, parents, teachers and caregivers need to be educated and vigilant about creating good channels of communication with children about the healthy use of technology and the dangers facing them.
“Learning about and approaching this topic in a good way helps kids feel safe, which helps them make healthy, wise decisions,” Wible said. “When kids are learning what it looks like to be safe, the healthier they become.”
Kevin Brown, director of training at MCH, said Wible’s training is a valuable reminder for MCH staff that “it is imperative that organizations like MCH be equipped with this type of information and knowledge. We are grateful for resources like Talk More Tech Less that position us to better serve the children, youth and families in Texas and New Mexico.” •
Killeen Family Outreach Participates in Special Needs Conference
MCH Family Outreach in Killeen participated in the 2023 All Together Special Needs Conference hosted by Temple Bible Church. Staff shared about the support and programs MCH can offer to families with special needs children and also connected with other community organizations.
“Having a child with special needs, I personally understand many of the struggles families endure daily and have a unique opportunity to connect with caregivers on a more personal level and speak from the heart about support that MCH Family Outreach could potentially offer,” said Charmoine Nelson, case manager at MCH Family Outreach in Killeen. “Our goal is to walk alongside and offer support to strengthen the whole family. Some of the ways MCH offers support to the family include working with the family on things like issues around homelessness, budgeting, family conflict, employment, family connection, and parenting support. We work to tailor goals to help families foster a healthy and thriving environment that encourages them daily to experience life to the fullest.” •
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