April 2020

From Native Organizers Alliance, April 22, 2020 We hope you and your loved ones are in good health. During this Coronavirus pandemic, we are all finding ways to support our families and communities in difficult circumstances. Native communities are adopting new ways of meeting the urgent needs of our communities, both physically and spiritually. We are using digital tools to maintain community and ceremony while physically separating for our safety. Please join us for a video conference to...

It was more than a piece of parchment bearing the governor’s signature. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s resolution declaring May 15, 2019 as the state’s first Trauma-Informed Awareness Day marked a high-level recognition that, where state policy is concerned, trauma matters. The resolution and resulting proclamation Pritzker signed also calls for legislators to consider childhood brain development, early adversity and buffering relationships when making policy decisions; it urges all state...

By ACEs Aware, April 21, 2020 The physician speakers will share opportunities and guidance for providing trauma-informed care via telehealth as well as resources providers can offer to patients to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 related stress on physical and mental health. This is particularly critical for patients who have experienced, or who are currently experiencing, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or other adversities. Futures Without Violence will share resources providers...

COVID-19 has brought up a lot of new things and experiences and identifying emotions for them can be hard for kids. Art with Heart has created COVID-19 related activity worksheets, lesson videos, and more to help kids during this impactful time. Visit our home page at artwithheart.org download the resources. Or use the links below. 1. How do you feel?: A feelings chart and worksheet to help identify emotions around COVID19 experiences. 2. Make your Emotions Move: Sometimes it’s hard to know...

Thanks to Lara Kain of ACES Connection, I discovered the brilliant Joe Truss of Culturally Responsive Leadership . Joe is a principal, a blogger, a father, and soon to be my second guest in a new free conversation series I am hosting - Trauma-Informed CONVOS during COVID. Joe authored a provocative, hilarious, raw blog that went viral on social media less than three weeks ago. If you haven't read it, it's a must: A School Principal's Pondering During a Pandemic. Join us for what will be a...

By Brooke Suddeth on April 21, 2020 Resilience is defined as the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. Residents of Wilmington are no stranger to having to recover quickly from disasters, especially during hurricane season. There also are personal hardships less frequently discussed but equally difficult to overcome. The New Hanover County Resiliency Task Force is committed to building a more understanding and compassionate community that recognizes the impact of childhood trauma.

You know what I loved? My mom taught me at a very young age to always be ready with a bug-out bag and money that was my own. I have been ready to flee since I was 4. My mom, sisters, and I exercised that readiness countless times – rushing to leave to go live with an aunt, my grandma, my mom’s friend, etc. I loved the power in knowing that I didn’t need anyone. Ever.

If your child has a traumatic history, what can you do to help them cope during this very uncertain and chaotic time?

In this episode, Matt discusses the trauma of divorce with Dr. Angela Cusimano. On the list of Adverse Childhood Experience, Divorce is a unique type of family disruption. Dr. Cusimano shares her expertise in working with divorce survivors. https://connectingparadigms.org/blog/podcast/interview-with-dr-angela-cusimano-trauma-of-divorce/ Angela Cusimano is a psychologist and personal coach with decades of experience working with kids, families, and trauma survivors. She is a childhood divorce...

Cissy's note: Thanks to @Elizabeth Perry for flagging me and letting me know about this important YouTube video posted on April 6th via the ACE Interface Laura Porter channel which furthers this important discussion about the uses/misuses of ACEs scores. This topic is written about from a personal perspective by @Sirena Wheeler here, yesterday, on ACEs Connection a piece entitled Erasing My ACEs which @Laura Porter commented upon. I have found tremendous benefit from learning about ACEs...

Announcing 30% COVID-19 Hardship Discount on All Online ARTIC Purchases Despite the COVID-19 crisis, school systems, human service agencies, behavioral health programs, medical institutions, foster care agencies, juvenile justice programs, and many others are working to sustain trauma-informed care - now more than ever. At the same time, organizations are experiencing unexpected and unprecedented financial challenges. In response, the Traumatic Stress Institute is offering relief to...

It’s important to remember: There is no intrinsic difference between the psychological resilience of African Americans and white Americans. We unfortunately experience more stressors. Socioeconomic pressures, racism and microaggressions in the workplace are significant stressors that have been shown to increase the risk of mental illness in African Americans.