Author Archives: Dr. G

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About Dr. G

Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is a faculty member in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at two medical schools, leads a group practice in suburban Cleveland (Family Center by the Falls), and continues to be involved in research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications prescribed to children for ADHD, anxiety and depression. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Grcevich was recently recognized by Sharecare as one of the top ten online influencers in children’s mental health. His blog for Key Ministry, www.church4everychild.org was ranked fourth among the top 100 children's ministry blogs in 2015 by Ministry to Children.

A cord of three strands…

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Dr. G

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Some Assembly But No Expertise Required…Vangie Rodenbeck

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Dr. G

Time has given me the educational qualifications required to minister to someone quite different than me. As I got to know not only Noah, but the dozen or so other children I began accumulating within our children’s ministry, I built a relationship with each one that led to a rapport which enabled me to appear like an expert in their midst. I looked like an expert, but in all honesty, all I did was love them and get to know each of them. Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Holistically Serving the Adopted/Foster Child…Inclusion Fusion Library

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Dr. G

In the video, she shares some of her experiences dealing with the emotional struggles of adopted and foster children as they adjust to the reality of becoming part of a new family. She did a great job of describing how the adverse childhood experiences of kids available for adoption and foster care contribute to difficulties “doing church” and shares helpful strategies for church staff and volunteers who interact with them at church. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Foster Care, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, PTSD, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The enduring effects of trauma and abuse in childhood

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Dr. G

Christians…and the church can have an enormous impact through helping children to grow up in loving and supportive homes that offer protection (to the degree possible) from toxic stress. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rebecca Hamilton live on Thursday…CM Connect, Blog Talk Radio

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Dr. G

Listen to Rebecca and Vangie as they dispel popular “myths” related to training volunteers for disability-related ministries and learn about two amazing resources you can use to train and organize volunteers today.
Continue reading →

Posted in Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The impact of trauma on the developing brain

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Dr. G

The potential effects of trauma and abuse on the developing brain and nervous system are powerful and incredibly complex. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Mental Health, PTSD, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Belong to Believe…Libby Peterson

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Dr. G

We need a new paradigm to reach those families OUTSIDE the church whose lives are shaped by the special needs of their child. We must find ways to BUILD relationships, enter each other’s realities and BRING them into some expression of Christian community – inviting them to BELONG so that they might come to BELIEVE. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Leadership, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Viewing Mental Illness Through the Eyes of Faith…Inclusion Fusion Library

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Dr. G

Matt’s presentation will help equip you and your church to effectively minister and support those living with mental illness. Continue reading →

Posted in Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Resources, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trauma and Kids…a look at the numbers

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Dr. G

The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence was a Federally-funded survey of 4,549 children between the ages of 0-17, conducted during 2008. Here are some of the key findings…
Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why is trauma more traumatizing for some kids?

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Dr. G

Today, we’ll take a look at risk factors for PTSD in kids following a potentially traumatic event… Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Mental Health, PTSD, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments