Child Services

From the internationally acclaimed best-selling author of Code Name Verity comes a stunning new story of pearls, love and murder. Sixteen-year-old Julie Beaufort-Stuart is returning to her family's ancestral home in Perthshire for one last summer. It is not an idyllic return to childhood. Her grandfather's death has forced the sale of the house and estate, and this will be a summer of good-byes. Not least to the McEwen family - Highland travellers who have been part of the landscape for as long as anyone can remember.

Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems like that dream will never come true - until a family adopts him. They want him to be a companion for their 10-year-old son, Gus, who has autism. But Gus acts so differently than anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester, and sometimes he doesn’t even want Chester in the room. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus since this isn’t exactly the job he trained for - but he’s determined to figure it out. Because after all, Gus is now his person.

Join Imani, Tommy, and Maya in this heartwarming children's adventure that seamlessly blends education with entertainment! In this captivating addition to the beloved "What Shall We Do Today?" series, three curious friends discover the joy of intergenerational connections, community service, environmental awareness, and healthy eating habits—all in one action-packed day! When Maya arrives with exciting news about a special event at the park, the friends embark on an unforgettable journey where they: Join seniors for a fitness walk that bridges generation gaps Learn about world hunger and ...

It's been months since Benji's former therapy dog, Elvis, was whisked away by the Secret Service, but Benji still misses him terribly. Luckily, because Elvis is now the president's dog, Benji can keep tabs on him via all the pictures and videos that are online. While watching footage of the president's speech on the White House lawn, Benji and his friends Alexander and Taisy notice Elvis doing something very strange with his tail. Could he be trying to send them a message?

Retired and relaxing at the pool on a hot, sunny Texas afternoon was the perfect way to start summer early. Life was perfect. So they thought. Clark and his wife, Jamie, are the proud parents of two adopted girls. Clark is a Christian who became a believer in adulthood. His faith has been his guide and was the foundation of how he and his wife raised the children. Life was perfect. Suddenly, life was not perfect. In fact, Clark and Jamie lived Job’s life from the Old Testament. It seemed as if everything around them was being taken from them. Life was no longer perfect.

Ted Just try and have an unusual ministry like mine these days. What’s so terribly wrong with a hug a day, huh? A non-sexual hug? Why can’t I have a non-denominational ministry based on hugs and assistance with getting back on your feet without the paparazzi tailing me, the media blasting me, and my own parishioners afraid to come out of their houses? It’s not like my church does anything other than community outreach to the poor, homeless, and those who want a leg up. The ones whose families and communities couldn’t or wouldn’t help. I’m the friend who gets them back on their ...

The Underdogs tells the story of Karen Shirk, felled at age 24 by a neuromuscular disease and facing life as a ventilator-dependent, immobile patient, who was turned down by every service dog agency in the country because she was "too disabled". Her nurse encouraged her to tone down the suicidal thoughts, find a puppy, and raise her own service dog. Karen did this, and Ben, a German shepherd, dragged her back into life.

When asked, almost everyone agrees they would like to have control over some parts of their lives. Billy, at age ten, is no different. Truth be told, he’d love to have some peace in his day. He knows better than to wish for happiness or a warm dinner, though that’d be super! What he really would love is a mom who recognizes that he’s just a kid and not her enemy. He doesn’t know why she seems to hate him, but like all kids, he holds onto hope. Nothing feels easy for Billy. He leaves one war zone at home to go to school, where he’s an easy target for the class bully. If it ...

A true story that pulls at your heartstrings and stays with you as it leaves its mark!This powerful and touching story provides a picture of family life when a parent is in the military. It's a true story that gives children comfort in realizing they are not alone as they struggle with their emotions. Hopefully, the story will guide parents and children to talk openly about difficult situations. Every military family will feel a connection, and smile at the discovery that with discussion comes healing. It is all about the love that brings us together. Carolyn Watkins' books build confidence...

Building on the best-selling go-to guidebook Sticky Faith, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family shows parents how to actively encourage their children's spiritual growth so that it will stick with them into adulthood and empower them to develop a living, lasting faith.

All Raveena wants is to bring back her school’s beloved arts program. It’s been six months since her music-loving grandmother passed, and four since Hollows’ Peak Middle School cut its entire arts budget. Now Raveena has no way to practice music, and worse, no way to honor Grandmama’s memory. But Raveena’s world turns on its head when she and her friends stumble upon an otherworldly discovery: an old-fashioned telephone with the ability to contact ghosts!

If you want to be in the c-suite, don’t fall for a social worker. When Sophia Vaca’s family immigrated from Ecuador to the U.S. many people helped them along their way. Her parents taught her to always pay every kindness forward. On the verge of completing college with a degree in social work, her mind is filled with dreams for the future despite the sometimes grim realities of her chosen field. Lacie Lindly has her eye on the Chief Technology Officer position at the Denver tech company where she works. She’s not about to let the fallout from a night of indiscretion that resulted in ...

Being pro-life means that not only do we see abortion as a murder, but we also see our apathy against injustice toward outside of the womb as a coconspirator in the fight for life. It means that we fight for racial equality. It means that we love - the woman walking into the abortion clinic - passionately with the love of Christ, and it means we embrace life no matter what label may be attached to a person's identity.

Fourth grade is not going at all how Benny Barrows hoped. He hasn't found a new best friend. He's still not a great bike rider - even though his brother, George, who's autistic, can do tricks. And, worst of all, he worries his dad's recent accident might be all his fault. Benny tries to take his mom's advice and focus on helping others and to take things one step at a time. But when his dad ends up in the hospital again, Benny doesn't know how he and his family will overcome all the bad luck that life seems to have thrown their way.

Discover how to celebrate your life as an empty nester…without guilt or sorrow. Does your quiet home give you heartaches and tears? Do you not know what to do with your life now that the kids are gone? Becoming an empty nester is a sudden and painful change. It is such a difficult time that 38.6 percent of empty nesters suffer from clinical depression and one in four marriages ends in divorce.

Who is she? Acacia Martin raised by an impostor mom serving a prison sentence for her sins, or Jasmine Callahan abducted at birth from a family she’s yet to meet? Luckily, she has Drake to help her untangle the mess that is her life. Will he ensnare her heart in the process? Jasmine Callahan was stolen away from her parents at birth and raised as Acacia (Cacie) Martin by her abductor, Emilia Martin. When the truth comes out, Cacie clings to the woman who raised her, rejecting her original family. As if having her life story plastered in the news wasn’t bad enough, Cacie's hat slips off ...

Kiki is a trainee witch. On her thirteenth birthday she must follow tradition and leave home to find a new village. She knows she has to use only her powers to make a living, but Kiki's no good at potions or spells...can she use her flying abilities to make her own way in the world? She sets out with her beloved black cat Jiji on an exciting journey, making new friends along the way.

Join Imani, Tommy, and Maya in this heartwarming adventure celebrating cultural diversity, healthy foods, and the spirit of community service! Perfect for children ages 6-9, this engaging story weaves together Chinese Language Day, Volunteer Recognition Day, and fun food celebrations in a tale that entertains while teaching valuable life lessons. What's Inside This Special Story: 🌍 Follow Maya as she proudly shares her Chinese language and culture with her classmates 🌍 Experience a school day filled with special celebrations: cheddar fries for lunch, lima bean appreciation, and ...

Individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance use disorders sometimes display any one of a number of frightening behaviors: verbal outbursts, physical threats and even violence. In this comprehensive guidebook, Ellis Amdur walks professionals working in healthcare and social services settings through a multitude of steps they can take to keep themselves, their colleagues, and their clientele safe. The focus of this book is behavior not diagnosis. The first sections of the book discuss specific behaviors ranging from such relatively minor irritants as reluctance to complete tasks and ...

Marci learned, after decades of speech therapy, that parents are the best language facilitators. Parents already know their children better than any therapist can. They know what their children are thinking and feeling due to the natural, intuitive connection between parents and their kids. Marci’s language facilitation program equips and empowers parents to see the speech learning from the child’s perspective.