WE ARE INSPIRED BY THIS CALL TO ACTION to begin this groundbreaking, historic public health campaign focused on the #1 way to prevent toxic stress in children: a safe, stable, nurturing relationship between an adult and a child.
Why is that important? Because toxic stress is a root cause of so many urgent mental, behavioral and medical health crises of our time—a root cause of violence, bullying, drug addiction, anxiety, depression, suicide, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more.
It’s all here: resources, tools, podcasts, advice, research, organizations and more!
Endorsed by the Community Mental Health Fund as a “Public Health Campaign for Children’s Mental Health”. Announcing new Community Grants for first-time applicants!
Thanks to AdventHealth Kansas City for your support!
Thanks to our Media Partner:
Our heartfelt thanks to Johnson County Community College for kicking off our bi-state campaign. Local leaders in mental, physical and behavioral health, media, business, research, government, the arts, education and social services have answered the call to action.
Synergy Services will host the 36th Anniversary Kindest Kansas Citian Awards on Friday, April 17th. Nearly 500,000 adults and children have participated in the essay contest since its inception in 1990. In their own words and pictures, students tell us how their SSNRs have saved their lives.
From Union Station, the RaisingKC Quilt traveled to the B.E. Smith Family Center at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission during the Week of the Young Child. Families and educators recognized the importance of SSNRs during the early childhood years.
The RaisingKC Quilt, with interactive displays for families and caregivers, was on exhibit at the Johnson County Central Library during Fall 2025. All those attending were treated to a creative and meaningful experience!
It all begins with children’s brain development, which is most rapid in the ages of one to three. So how do early childhood experiences influence or actually alter that brain development?
“The #1 way to reduce the risk of lifelong mental, physical and behavioral health problems– bullying, depression, anxiety, abuse, drug addiction, obesity, heart disease, suicide, cancer, and more– is a safe, stable, nurturing relationship between an adult and a child.”
— The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
This evidence-based, online tool helps you respond in healthy ways to more than 150 children’s common, every-day behavior challenges of toddlers to teens. Each response helps you build a safe, stable, nurturing relationship.
Below you’ll find organizations with services to lower your stress and build safe, stable, nurturing relationships between adults and children. Click on those that meet your needs to learn more. Or click on the blue bar to do a search of services, location and contact information.
