Blogs

As I wrap up my doctoral studies, I am excited to see how the concept of becoming “trauma-informed” in ministry is starting to pick up steam across the country. A large part of the credit for furthering that conversation goes to you--my friends and colleagues here on ACEsConnection! It's been humbling to see how our relatively small ministry in Montana has something to add to the conversation. In fact, far from being behind the curve here in Montana, we are on the cutting edge in terms of...

When Tina Eblen and Todd Garrison led an ACE training at the Fort Peck Reservation, home to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, they heard stories of “gut-wrenching” trauma so pervasive it seemed commonplace. “Some people told us, when they were taking the ACE questionnaire, ‘Gosh, I thought these things were just normal,’” says Eblen, MARC coordinator for Elevate Montana , an ACE-informed statewide initiative launched in 2013 by the ChildWise Institute , a non-profit that focuses on child...

HELENA – Shodair Children’s Hospital held free adverse childhood experiences or “ACEs” training for the community on Thursday. ACEs are defined as exposure to emotional, physical or sexual abuse, and household dysfunction during childhood. Participants included healthcare workers, members of the school district, and nursing students. Shodair RN Christine Schultz said the goal of the training wasn’t to say “what’s wrong” with an individual, but rather help people understand a person’s...

Spring-Back' is a celebration of well-being, resilience from adversity and less daily stress. It is hosted by The Bitterroot Cares for Kids Network, Emma’s House and Tobacco Free Ravalli, on April 20, in the Bedford Building. "Spring-Back 2017 is designed to uplift professionals working with kids and parents or caregivers by understanding ways to take care of themselves in order to care for others effectively,” said Kierstin Schmitt, prevention coordinator at Emma's House. “We will offer a...

A scan done in March by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) through StateNet of bills introduced in 2017 that specifically include adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the text produced a surprising volume of bills (close of 40) in a large number of states (18). A scan done a year ago produced less than a handful. NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves both state legislators and their staffs. The shear volume of bills in so many states represents a promising...

Dillon folks are hard at work creating a healthier community. The Beaverhead County ACEs Task Force — going gangbusters since February 2016 — has coalesced into a driving force for the wider trauma-informed community movement taking hold across the state. “We have been moving and working like mad,” said Melainya Ryan, task force chairwoman. “Our community is ripe.” ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences that affect health and wellness across the life span, as Helena-based expert Katie...

Emma’s House, the Bitterroot Children’s Advocacy Center for over 10 years, has a new development director, upcoming events and supportive friends. Joni Lubke is the new development director for Emma’s House, splitting her time as executive assistant for the Bitterroot National Forest. Lubke officially started at Emma’s House in early February after serving on the board. “My two years serving on the board made me have a big passion for what this little organization does so I wanted to help,”...

Eastern Montana Residents - Take note of an upcoming ACEs training! This training looks to be perfectly timed following recent reports that Montana ranks 4th in the nation for toxic childhoods. Adverse Childhood Experiences Training will be held on Friday, March 17 at 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Plevna School Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. As such, early...

Recently, ChildWise Institute had worked hard with bi-partisan legislative leaders on a Bill to promote a pilot project based on the science of ACEs, toxic stress, and resilience . Unfortunately, it was tabled (read: failed). ChildWise has been working with legislators for 6 years now (3 legislative sessions) that have wanted to use ACEs as a public policy issue and a legislative Bill. Those efforts have been unsuccessful so far. It's something every state needs to accomplish -- but I think...

Did you know the infant brain forms 2.5 million neural connections every hour? That's a whopping 60 million connections every day. Under ideal situations of a loving, nurturing environment, these synapses flourish. On the other hand, it is thought that severe or chronic stress and trauma impacts the way these connections develop. Under-development in certain areas of the brain can affect basic functions such as trust or empathy. Unused synapses are pruned out in favor of those that are...

Schylar Canfield Baber remembers everything about the moment he was taken away from his family. “I can remember the police raid on our trailer,” Schylar said. “I can remember my footie pajamas, the feel of my feet along the ground as I walked to the police car. I can remember my mother being placed over another police car and being handcuffed, and she got smaller as the car pulled away.” He was 6 years old. One of his few photos from that period, showing him and his little brother smiling...

During his State of the State address Tuesday, Gov. Steve Bullock said that he "cannot tolerate that Montana leads the nation in youth suicide." The youth suicide rate is particularly concerning for legislators. Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, is sponsoring House Bill 265 , a bill that would provide a limited number of grants to schools to help them implement suicide prevention programs. Dunwell also introduced House Bill 176 , which would require primary care physicians to give depression...