August 2020

Inner children are parts of all our psyche that remains full of innocence, awe, and wonder. When our inner child is healthy, and we are connected with them, we tend to be invigorated, inspired, and excited. However, what happens when our inner child is wounded from past trauma, and we are disconnected from them? When we ignore the inner child in our psyche, as adults, we feel disconnected from life, tired, empty, and unhappy. This article will further explore the topic of the wounded inner...

Months into the pandemic, we know the Covid-19 virus doesn’t just pose a threat to our physical health: it has serious repercussions for our individual and collective mental health too. Given ACEs Connection members’ interest in trauma-informed initiatives that support the needs of children, the Massachusetts Childhood Trauma Task Force (CTTF) wants to share its recent report on Covid-19 and children’s mental health.

I received this is an email yesterday. It certainly aligns with ACEs awareness. There are live links at the end of the chapters in the Refernce Lists that you can use to access the original works. https://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7#toc

You are cordially invited to NJAAP’s 10th Annual Children's Ball (Virtual Edition!) on Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM . This year’s celebration spotlights six honorees whose care, support and advocacy have made a genuine difference in the lives of children and families in New Jersey. All proceeds benefit NJAAP programs that improve the health, safety, and well-being of all children across the state. Also featuring a virtual photo booth, silent auction, plus a special...

NJAAP invites you to join us for our virtual 29th Annual School Health Conference on Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 from 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM . Gain the latest knowledge on current emerging topics including: Lessons Learned from COVID-19, Pandemic Preparation, Internet Safety and much more, plus a virtual exhibit showcase with a wide variety of vendors showing their products and services. This is one that you can't afford to miss! The School Health Conference is not limited to New Jersey.

As part of NJAAP's Healthy Spaces program, we invite you to join us for our Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) for Schools webinar on Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM . In this webinar, you’ll learn how to identify and respond to suspected child abuse and neglect in your school. There will be a panel of professionals, including a school nurse, pediatrician and a Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) representative, to share expert guidance and help...

By Tonya Cotto, Moms, August 8, 2020 The effects of trauma can last a lifetime. Emotional or physical abuse, in addition to injury or death, can shape a child well into their future. In the US, over 3 million children experience maltreatment each year. However, violence is not the only trauma that can affect our children. Loss of a loved one, not feeling heard or loved, or even poor treatment by a caregiver can leave a child wounded. Childhood trauma is a silent epidemic that may affect your...

By Georges Benjamin, Center for Health Journalism, August 11, 2020 The impact of racism is front and center of policy discussions about the devastating toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color. Early in the outbreak it became clear that African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans had a higher incidence of this disease, higher hospitalization rates and a higher percentage of premature deaths, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Historical racism plays a significant role as a...

By Katherine Martinelli, Child Mind Institute, August 2020 When kids are misbehaving, it is natural for parents and educators to want to correct them, pointing out — sometimes not too calmly — what they are doing wrong. Though this may seem like common sense, it can actually backfire. Experts have found that giving kids positive rather than negative attention is much more effective in changing behavior. Research shows that praise for behavior you want to encourage gets more results than...

By Miranda Lynch, Erika Tullberg, Jane Halladay, Chapin Hall, August 2020 The Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First) represents the most significant piece of federal child welfare legislation enacted in recent history. Chapin Hall is collaborating with jurisdictions and organizations across the country as they assess readiness and plan for Family First implementation and align their child welfare system with the transformational opportunities in the legislation. Chapin Hall and...

By Lisa Richardson, Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Learning Network, August 10, 2020 We know from years of trauma research that our bodies and minds “perceive danger” in different ways. As a result, it’s reasonable to expect that not everyone responding to the personal, emotional and professional threats of COVID will react in the same way. Individual perception and how people process trauma has much to do with not only their current state of healing but also past events. We know that...

As the COVID-19 pandemic began its devastating sweep through African American communities in April, Andre Chapman, CEO of the San Jose, California-based Unity Care , saw a glaring need for developing a COVID-19 prevention campaign that spoke directly to African Americans. “Many of our young folks and families really didn't understand the impact of this virus, nor did they believe much of the information that was coming through the media,” says Chapman. His organization provides housing and...