May 2020

By Berman, Hecht, & Hosack They feel so smooth. They are so small. How can they help me? It’s time to go to sleep. Larry is feeling terrified alone in the dark. He is holding his gift from the Abbott. He is trying to count them and pray, for the strength to do one good thing with each bead. He stuck on bead number 3. He prayed for the strength to stop avoiding Ted: that was his first prayer, Ted had been such a good friend to him he deserves better than what he was getting. Larry had...

Linked here is an article by Cynder Sinclair, Noozhawk Columnist, sharing how local nonprofits are adjusting and continuing to service their community amid coronavirus. Featured in the article are two of Resilient Santa Barbara County's very own community partner organizations: Isla Vista Youth Projects and the Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County. The piece features an interview with Lori Goodman, Executive Director of Isla Vista Youth Projects (IVYP) on how they have remained...

In an interview regarding how she and her organization are adjusting to a new work environment, continuing to serve their community, and remaining resilient amid all things COVID-19, Ann McCarty, Executive Director of the North County Rape Crisis Center (or, "the Center," as McCarty and her colleagues often refer to their organization), shared that the Center is finding itself busier than ever. McCarty reported that the influx of work that she and her employees are experiencing is nothing of...

'We're Going to Be O.K.' is a children's book written by Dr. Ebony Jade Hilton and Dr. Leigh-Ann Webb to encourage children and families to stay "safe, healthy, and optimistic during the COVID19 pandemic." The book is beautifully illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin Webb. I found this special book through an article celebrating Drs. Hilton and Webb's recognition for “We’re Going to Be O.K,” as one of the top five entries in Emory Global Health Institute’s COVID-19 Children’s eBook Competition .

Thursday, May 21, 2020 Education Upended, continued. New time this week only, 10-11am PST Please join us for the ongoing community discussion of "A Better Normal — Education Upended". We bring bring our focus back to the future. Using our breakout session format, we will identify the strategies and lessons learned that we want to bring into the future of school, and ways in which we might do that. How do we create physical and psychological safety, especially in the face of so much...

By The Daily, The New York Times, May 20, 2020 Some have called the pandemic “the great equalizer.” But the coronavirus is killing black Americans at staggeringly higher rates than white Americans. Today, we explore why. Guest: Linda Villarosa, a writer for The New York Times Magazine covering racial health disparities, who spoke to Nicole Charles in New Orleans, La. about the death of her husband, Cornell Charles, known as Dickey. He was 51. For more information on today’s episode, visit...

Perhaps it wasn’t the optimum time to update the network’s vision and values statements: a virtual meeting held in the midst of a global pandemic. But a record number of people—51, compared to the typical 30—tuned in for the May 1 Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) Collective Impact Council, and they gave the new values statement, which highlights inclusivity and collaboration, an enthusiastic thumbs-up. At the virtual table were members from key state departments—Children...

Please consider taking part in this worldwide study. The epicenter is in Portugal. Here is the FAQ page for readers/speakers of English: Compassion, social connectedness and trauma resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-national study (USA) Marcela Matos Ph.D. (PI), & Daniel Rijo Ph.D. (CINEICC, University of Coimbra) - PORTUGAL Paul Gilbert OBE Ph.D., Kirsten McEwan Ph.D., Jasran Basran Ph.D. Student (Compassionate Mind Foundation & University of Derby), & Chris Irons...

THE EASTER BONNIE , aka Bonnie Schmidt of Port Angeles, gave her preschoolers little baskets of farewell last week. On the porch of her Little Rhythms Learning Center, she placed packages of belongings the kids had left behind, plus art supplies and fond notes to each family. No hugs allowed. School is over for the rest of the academic year, following Gov. Jay Inslee’s mandate, and parents, children and educators must cope with the loss. Now and going forward: How can we, as a community,...

Traumatized clients can get stuck in the “Now What?” They say, "It helped to talk about our trauma and wounds but NOW WHAT? What can we do in the here and now to heal our wounds?" Dr. Scott Sells uses actual case examples to show why an FST| Family Systems Trauma Playbook is needed to answer the “Now What?” question to get your most impossible trauma cases unstuck. The webinar is free, but registration is required.

When the pandemic hit, all we could focus on was the immediate threat. It’s time to ask, “How are our kids doing?” COVID-19 grabbed the headlines in the US a few months ago and because the viral pandemic first hit older adults, we focused on that population. This makes sense. We saw news images of elders in nursing homes and hospitals gasping for air. We immediately worried about everyone over 60 and rightfully so. We did this because this segment of the population was at risk for severe...