November 2022

Public health authorities like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, the NIH, and the Harvard Center on the Developing Child should put together a list of parenting behaviors and practices generally recognized as supporting the healthy development of children. Then these organizations should partner with the Ad Council to create public service announcements to communicate these behaviors and practices to the public. I’m thinking billboards especially…radio and television too. These...

Ending violence against women is everyone’s business. You can make a difference, safely and impactfully by: 1. Listening to and believing survivors. When a woman shares her story of violence, she takes the first step to break the cycle of abuse. It’s on all of us to give her the safe space she needs to speak up and be heard. It’s important to remember that when discussing cases of sexual violence, a victim’s sobriety, clothes, and sexuality are irrelevant. The perpetrator is the sole reason...

I've been kicking around this idea for months. It's taken various forms and I can acknowledge it's a deeply unpleasant topic and may not even be true. I nonetheless have years of experience in the field making me ask the question. And I'm not convinced that it's not true. What if the current resources on offer, the whole suite of them, sometimes still aren't the answer. Sometimes doesn't mean never. It's quite clear we're helping some people some of the time. This can range from 'helped a...

Thoughts to share - I'm grateful for all those trying to make the world a better place. I'm mindful that the holidays and days of remembrances can be a blessing or time of turmoil for so many...so please be kind to yourself and those you love in your circle of life. & finally, sharing a song of Joy & thanks to all in my life who have left lasting impressions upon me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by4tWjowZVo Thank you & take care, Michael Skinner.

We also know that how we responds matter. There needs to be a concerted effort to create a space for children to feel safe enough to share their experience with a trusted adult. That starts by adults who are initiating safe conversations around these topics.

“On Thanksgiving Day, we at PACEs Connection believe it is appropriate to recognize the genocide and land theft endured by the indigenous people of the Americas,” said PACEs Connection chief executive officer Ingrid Cockhren and co-host of the History. Culture. Trauma podcast. Cockhren also created the PACEs Connection Historical Trauma in America Series of webinars exploring, by geographic region, generational and collective trauma in the U.S. “The historical trauma of colonization should...

ACE Resource Network | Sacramento Community Coordinator ABOUT US | The ACE Resource Network is a philanthropic initiative with a goal of reducing childhood adversity by raising awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress, promoting healing, and advancing research and policy. Our team worked closely with the first California Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, to develop and launch the first national awareness and education campaign, NumberStory.org and...

This is an awesome journey through the meaning of self as reflected in mental dysfunction.

By The HOPE Team, 11/23/22, https://positiveexperience.org/category/blog/ The HOPE framework begins with honoring, celebrating, and understanding different cultures, backgrounds, and histories. That includes the experiences of Native American peoples. This month, we are honoring, celebrating, and learning throughout Native American Heritage Month. Understanding the impact that history has on Native American peoples and communities is important to supporting access to Positive Childhood...

This adult book study will meet virtually Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. for 10 sessions beginning January 18 , 2023 to discuss the book What Happened To You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. You can check your local library, Amazon or local bookstore for a copy of the book or listen to it on Audible. This book study will be facilitated by Sarah Steffes with Circle of Care. On page 9, A Note from the Authors, Dr. Perry and Oprah invite us to be in control of our own reading...

By Richard Sima, Illustration: George Wylesol/The Washington Post, The Washington Post, November 17, 2022 Here’s an antidote to an ever-stressful, busy and uncertain world. Try finding and savoring little bites of joy in your day. I call them “joy” snacks. By mindfully tuning into the pleasant, nice and sometimes routine experiences of every day, we can transform an otherwise mundane moment into something more meaningful and even joyful. Lunch with a co-worker. Walking the dog. Texting with...

By Thomas Rutledge, Photo: Thomas Rutledge, Psychology Today, November 20, 2022 Traumas constitute the most difficult experiences in life. Assaults, severe accidents and injuries, natural disasters, life threatening diseases, and the loss of loved ones comprise just some of the most frequent types of traumas. Tragically, traumatic events are also common, with at least half of adults experiencing one or more major traumas according to the best survey research. Although the mental health...