What do you do, and what does your organization do?
I own a consulting company. The breadth and extent of major contracts has allowed me to use all of my past experiences in elected office, as a private clinician, as a supervisor and trainer, and as a mother and wife! Most significantly for the past 8 years, I have been the public policy and government relations consultant for the national Foster Family-based Treatment Association. This position has allowed me to consult for private and public agencies and child welfare systems in many of the 50 states and to represent the needs of foster youth to Congress and the Administration. My life’s work has been about vulnerable children and families. For better or worse, it seems I/we will always have important work to do.
What personal or professional moment or event in your life inspired you to work on ACEs?
The adage is that ‘we teach that which we most need to learn.’ I needed to learn about overcoming family dysfunction as a child. ACEs helped me understand some of my vulnerabilities and to be watchful for those hurts and losses in others whom I love as well as in my practice as a therapist and clinician. I became involved with ACEsConnection through Elizabeth Prewitt…her excitement and sharing of information about ACEsConnection.
When did you learn about ACEs, and how did that change your work or life?
I learned about ACEs about 6 years ago from attending professional meetings and seminars. It allowed me to see much more in-depth the physical ramifications of the psychological trauma I had been addressing with patients for years! It also has provided for me a framework from which to be more patient with loved ones and friends.
What does resilience to early childhood adversity mean to you?
I do believe children are much more resilient than we might expect. The key is having some person who lets a child know that he/she matters. The reality is that the child may have to find that someone and that in itself is a huge key to establishing their own resistance to adversity.
How would you like to see trauma-informed practices shape your field?
I would like to see all child welfare agencies and staff – public sector and private sector – be certified in some trauma-informed training. Likewise, all foster parents should have trauma-informed training or support by the agencies with whom they contract.
If you encounter or deal with trauma often in your work, what coping skills do you rely on to stay happy and healthy?
Managing my commitments and workload has always been a challenge ----one I continue to address. However, I run almost every day and that is my solace. I love to get ‘lost’ in movies about early England or the early 1900’s. Sunshine makes any day beautiful! My church is also very important to me.
How do you hope to contribute to and gain from ACEs Connection?
There are so many topics of discussion on ACEs Connection! The joy is that I can participate in what is of interest and when that is ‘convenient’. It is a great way to simply indulge in the pleasure of learning and/or participating in conversation with ‘like minds’. In a pressured filled professional world, this opportunity is a gift!
You can find out more about Laura or get in touch with her from her ACEsConnection profile page.
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