April 2020

By Ryan Trares, Daily Journal, April 3, 2020 Long after the wounds from trauma or abuse heal, the impact still claims far too many children’s lives. Research has shown that toxic stress experienced as a child can stay hidden for years, but this trauma puts them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time and early death. "This isn’t day-to-day stress or stress about homework. These are things that are a result of childhood abuse or neglect, or being in a home with domestic...

By Laurel Wamsley and Allison Aubrey, National Public Radio, April 3, 2020 Since the beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic, Americans have been told by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not to wear masks unless they are sick, caring for a sick person who is unable to wear one or working in health care. Numerous reasons have been given: that they don't offer significant protection from germs, that the most effective models need special fitting in order to work, that...

By Special to The Enterprise, Davis Enterprise, April 4, 2020 As the community responds to measures put in place to “flatten the curve” and conserve our medical resources in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many families are placed in a state of unprecedented stress — financially, emotionally, personally and professionally. Families and children face fear and anxiety due to the increasing severity of restrictions, ongoing disruptions in routine, uncertainty about the future, and...

Here is the latest infosheet on Resilience for Children & their Families. It takes cutting edge neurological PTSD and fear research, explaining it at a second-grade reading level. That was not easy! Please feel free to use and distribute as you see fit for professional or online resources. Stay Safe! Dr. Machelle

By Sonja A. Rasmussen, MD, MS; Lindsay A Thompson, MD, MS, JAMA Pediatrics, April 3, 2020 The emergence of a coronavirus illness not previously seen in humans, now called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has captured the attention of the US and the world. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, after an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause was identified in December 2019, with most early cases reporting exposure to a live animal market. On December 31, 2019, China reported the...

Our mission at Grandfamily Today always centers around connection and ending isolation for Grandfamilies. Join me free for 5 weeks of Self-Care Empowerment. You can set your own schedule to connect-share-feel empowered! This is interactive! Join us! We will be using email and Marco Polo. If you’ve never used Marco Polo, don’t worry it’s easy and free! It was designed by a married couple to stay in touch with family around the globe. It is video based, but short videos and our group will be...

So we are all worried about the virus and germs and transmission. Families confined to their homes are struggling. I have a bilingual children's book (ages 2 -- 4) that is on indestructible paper that can be wiped down -- cleaned off with a wipe. Seriously, this is a book for our transmission worried times. And, it deals with object constancy --- something critical in our crazy world. It is fun and clever and has multiracial characters. Older kids can find use for the book if they are trying...

Children can read the story and write to Wrinkles. Added activity. Letter can be emailed.

My work as a Clinical Supervisor and Consultant have found that many clinicians are finding themselves even more tired doing online sessions as compared to face-to-face. Understandably! I have 3 good reasons why. 1. Focus Fatigue 2. Freedom Freeze 3. Force Field Have a listen to learn more https://youtu.be/DRRjetJSzhs I am available at www.patriciaberendsen.com should you wish to connect with me!

Join a fascinating conversation with Dr. Bruce Perry and trauma-informed parenting experts where we discuss how to manage stress during shelter-in-place! Robbyn Peters Bennett moderates a heartfelt and supportive discussion with Dr. Bruce Perry, Leslie Arreola-Hillenbrand, Trina Greene Brown and Amy Bryant on how to help parents who are stressed with the overwhelming burden of managing 24/7 care of children, schooling, meals, working (sometimes more than ever), and coping with potentially...

Now that the pandemic has us all in a crisis situation, we’re about to find out to find out who falls apart in a crisis, and who rises up to serve, lead and encourage others. The ones who shine are not always who we expected — have you noticed this? Here in California we’ve been sheltering in place for over two weeks now. Everywhere in the world, we’re trying to figure out how best to respond to the pandemic, how best to care for ourselves and the people we love. It’s a work in progress. For...

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated social and economic stressors can undermine children’s development and well-being . Not only must they cope with major changes to everyday life, such as physical distancing and home confinement, but their families may struggle to meet their basic physical and emotional needs . Rates of poverty , unemployment , parental mental health problems and substance abuse , child abuse and neglect , and intimate partner violence tend to rise during disasters .