Our team is packed with experts from all areas of child and family welfare. From social workers to policy analysts, we live and breathe this work! The books listed below are just a few that our team thinks everyone in this field could benefit from reading. 

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

By Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and Oprah Winfrey

“This book written by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey explores how early childhood adversities (trauma) can influence adulthood. They challenge a shift from focusing on “What’s wrong with you?” or “Why are you behaving that way?” to asking “What happened to you?” Also, a book club guide for parents is available for free on the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance website.”

– TACFS Staff


THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE

By Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

“Groundbreaking, fundamental text on trauma… ” – TACFS Staff


THE CONNECTED PARENT By Karyn Purvis and Lisa Qualls

THE CONNECTED CHILD By Karyn Purvis, Wendy Lyons Sunshine, David R. Cross

“It’s the building block for TBRI. And The Connected Child has a chapter specific to teens.” – TACFS Staff


CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS

By Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Al Switzler, Ron McMillan

“Good for new leaders to learn how to deal with conflict.”

– TACFS Staff


CENTERED LEADERSHIP

By Joanna Barsh and Johanne Lavoie

“Great for building on leadership potential!” – TACFS Staff


THE BLACK FOSTER YOUTH HANDBOOK

By Angela Quijada-Banks

“Author, speaker, and coach, Angela Quijada-Banks shares 50+ lessons that she learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal. This book provides the unique perspective of someone with lived child-welfare experience. The handbook provides practical exercises, tips, and reflective questions to guide the reader to a place of healing. I highly recommend it for foster youth as well as those who work with them.” – TACFS Staff


ON JUNETEENTH

By Annette Gordon-Reed

“This might be helpful for organizational leaders to understand the history and significance of Juneteenth as they decide how to acknowledge the day now that it has been deemed a federal holiday.” – TACFS Staff


TRANSFORMING RESIDENTIAL INTERVENTIONS

By Robert E. Lieberman, Janice LeBel, Beth Caldwell, Joe Anne Hust, Julie Collins, and Gary M. Blau

“Practical strategies for youth in residential out of home care.” – TACFS Staff


PARENT NATION

By Dana Suskind, M.D.

“It is rare to find medical professionals who truly get the public health and social constructs that impact families across the country. She intentionality unites parents and show how we have more in common than our differences. Parent Nation is a call to action! There is also a free toolkit on the website on how to host Parent Villages, which bring together small groups of parents, caregivers and allies in community to envision and shape a society that supports them so that all children succeed.”
– TACFS Staff


THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD

By Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D

“Great ways to nurture a child’s mind.” – TACFS Staff