Books
Although it’s often hidden, countless families experience the unrelenting stress of living with a child who displays extreme aggression. Due to limited mental health resources and the innumerable barriers families face, caregivers are left alone, and families are fractured. Tragically, these children may face poor educational outcomes, hospital, police and judicial system involvement, child welfare intervention, and youth homelessness, all due to lack of appropriate and timely supports. Part memoir and part critical reflection, Broken Promises: The Battle to Find Help for Kids with Aggression sheds light on AFCCA (Aggression Towards Family/Caregivers in Childhood and Adolescence), a unique form of domestic violence. Co-author Christen Shepherd shares her daunting fight for services for her family in a broken and siloed system. Along with counsellor Lisa Highfield, some of the major themes of AFCCA are discussed. Readers will find insightful interviews, research, and brave parents lending their voices. Not without hope, this book highlights effective strategies for support, from Non-Violent Resistance training to community involvement. Broken Promises is a reminder to parents they are not alone, and is a call to arms, encouraging policy makers and service providers to create meaningful and effective programs that support families and their vulnerable children.
When Christen Shepherd adopted four children from foster care she dove into the treacherous waters of raising traumatized children. Because of mammoth tantrums, explosive rages, destroyed rooms, and unending grief, the Shepherds enlisted the help of a Child and Youth counselor, Lisa Highfield.
The Promise is a raw and compelling memoir. It offers insight into the behaviours of adopted and foster children and gives hope to struggling families. It is a must-read for adoptive parents who are at a loss after bringing wounded children into the family.
Authors

Christen Shepherd & Lisa Highfield
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