Tagged With "Trauma"
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Two New Grant Opportunities for Youth Development and Diversion Services
In 2019, more than $40 million will become available to fund community-based, culturally rooted, trauma-informed services for youth in California as alternatives to arrest and incarceration. Thousands of California youth are arrested every year for low-level offenses. Youth who are arrested or incarcerated for low-level offenses are less likely to graduate high school, more likely to suffer negative health-outcomes, and more likely to have later contact with the justice system.
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Understanding Addiction, Trauma and Recovery Conference
If you want to be part of educating the faith community about Trauma, ACEs, Addiction and Recovery, then please consider attending this dynamic one day conference in Auburn, CA with Dr. Jessica Rodriguez. CEUs available. Please contact Clay Rojas with any questions: clay.rojas@jessup.edu https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-addiction-trauma-and-recovery-for-christian-leaders-conference-tickets-37279340511?aff=es2
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Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 1]
I have written before about a growing trend in education, mental health, social services, and health care that has now extended to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . Trauma results when we experience something as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. A traumatic event, circumstance or series of events leaves a lasting effect on our ability to experience “life to the full” as Jesus intended (John 10:10). Adversity, and particularly traumatic stress in childhood,...
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Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 2]
Was Jesus’ ministry trauma-informed, part 2: recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma There is a movement that is beginning to take shape across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . The topic concerns churches that are interested in missional engagement with the culture because there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that if we can break the cycle of adversity in childhood we can help everyone experience “life to the full” as Jesus intended...
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Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 3]: recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma
Perhaps you have heard about it by now? There’s a movement spreading across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . The topic concerns churches that are interested in missional engagement with the culture because there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that if we can break the cycle of adversity in childhood we can help everyone experience “life to the full” as Jesus intended (John 10:10). In the first post in the series , I focused only the first...
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Was Jesus’ ministry “trauma-informed?” [part 4]: Responding to trauma within the compassionate Kingdom of God
There is a movement taking shape across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . I am personally invested in this movement and I am intrigued by the ways I see connections between Jesus’ teachings and trauma-informed ministry principles. In the first post in the series, I focused only the first identifier of a trauma-informed ministry: the realization of the widespread impact of trauma and potential paths for recovery. In the second and third posts, I...
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What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
There is a growing trend in education, mental health, social services, and health care: becoming trauma-informed. For those in ministry, “trauma informed” can be a confusing phrase, bringing up images we might not naturally associate with the church and its mission and ministry. Trauma results from something that occurs in a person’s life that is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. An event, circumstance or series of events that are traumatic leaves lasting...
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When the Cross is On the Table
Susan Traylor says “When they see the cross on the table, they know someone has died.” The ‘they’ she is talking about are the many folks experiencing homelessness in our small community of Tarpon Springs, Florida. A few weeks ago, the cross was on the table for Terry. I knew him by sight but never knew his name. I observed him over the past few years quite often in a state that makes most people not only uncomfortable, but anxious and fearful as he argued with someone only he could see. He...
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Why be "trauma-informed?" - a training for churches by Chaplain Chris Haughee, DMin
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...
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Re: A New Resource on ACE
Hi Denice, Please share if you've posted your wonderful book you've authored on our Books! group on ACEs Connection. https://www.pacesconnection.com/g/books Our ministries have such an excellent platform for helping those in pain with their healing journey. Many blessings to you Denice... In gratitude, Dana
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Re: Caring for Trauma Survivors and Caring for Yourself in the Process: Everyday Tips for Non-Professionals [PsychCentral.com]
Thank You for this post, Grace Watt.
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Great analogies. You put it so bluntly. Maybe that's been the missing element in talking to pastors and church leaders about how to minister to those in trauma or those adults have a high ACEs score. Keep these thoughts coming. Much appreciated
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Thanks, Linda. Blunt? Ha ha... Here at Intermountain we teach the children to "be direct" and we try and do the same. "Tell me what you need so I can do my best to help you," "Use your words..." etc. etc. So, while I was always a pretty direct person who didn't shy away from confrontation in ministry, I have shed almost all inhibition when it comes to addressing issues head on! Also, Linda, you know better than I do from your time in ministry, these issues don't go away with niceties. This...
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Perhaps it's time for the faith-based community to step back awhile and *listen to* those who sit in their pews (and those who leave). Start by asking those with lived experiences' of emotional distress to share their stories of the memories and events that served as the kindling for later depression, substance abuse and PTSD. Just... LISTEN. Take notes because the ten items on that ACEs list do not comprise the totality of adversities that children experience. Children may be bullied...
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Excellent points, Sandy... just another affirmation of how valuable this online community can be, as your words challenge and fuel me and encourage me at the same time! Vulnerability, TRUE vulnerability, is very hard in spiritual leadership... I have had church members get visibly agitated my times I have dipped my toe in these waters (years ago... pre-ACE Study), because their image (read: idol) of a minister was someone that was a spiritual superhero that didn't bleed... especially not...
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Re: Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 1]
Chaplain, I love this take. I'm going to be waiting anxiously for the next installment. I've often used Isaiah 61:1 in workshops but now I'm going to incorporate it into my trauma-informed churches workshop. Jesus understood and he had empathy one of the most important traits in dealing with kids in trauma. Thanks so much. Linda
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Re: Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 1]
Thank you, Linda! Honored that you'd be looking forward to the next installment!
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Re: A New Documentary About Breaking the Cycle of Trauma is Launching This Fall!
Thank You, 'Wrestling Ghosts Team' ! ! !
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
Thank you for such an insightful article. I wish every teacher, child care worker and church leader would read this post. You have explained what is happening in that child's brain very well. Why can't we as a nation figure this out?
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
Thank you so much Linda ! Your concluding question is probably the most important thing we do not "see".... Frustrating. I don't get much response even in the church.... Thanks for your support. It only takes one right message in one right place at the right time ! Peace
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
I understand about the church issue. I am constantly doing workshops and seminars for children's pastors and for the most part they are clueless. And church family could make such a difference in the lives of these kids. I know because we see this in our DC4K (DivorceCare for Kids) groups. I wish you could be a fly on the wall of a DC4K group. Oh my the healing and changes that take place in these kids in such a short time is amazing. The power of prayer plus the program written to...
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
Great article! Keep up the good work Daun! And know that you are on the right track, as you said all it takes is the right message in the right place at the right time. We must continue putting that message out there! Blessings
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Re: Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine
Thank you James! For more on a very different defense by children dealing with trauma see "Peek Inside a Classroom:Jose" -- "Peek Inside a Classroom" is a 2 part set (So far). It's on ACEsConnection and HERE
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Re: Free Resource! A "Trauma Informed" Jelly Bean Easter Poem
Hi, Chris, One thing jumps out at me about this poem. Black is for shame; white is for grace. I believe that the author and you mean good and no harm, and the association between black and bad/ white and good is so historical and pervasive that I would not use this version of the poem/ story. Racism is pervasive, often unrecognized, and traumatic. Peace, Jaime
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Re: Free Resource! A "Trauma Informed" Jelly Bean Easter Poem
Jaime, great point. Not sure how to mitigate that... The spiritual teaching point would need to be differentiated from any conclusions that could be drawn by the hearers in regards to racial judgment. I probably do this by habit, now, having worked in a multicultural setting for years, but this would not be intuitive for others, and for them your reminder is helpful! Chris
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Re: Free Resource! A "Trauma Informed" Jelly Bean Easter Poem
What a great revision! I needed it just a week earlier to revise the "Jelly Bean Catechism" bags we made this year. Next year, we're on it. The whole "black" and "white" thing is so difficult, because this imagery is everywhere - in art, literature, and Scripture. Thinking about it, it occurs to me that the problem is with labeling PEOPLE "black" or "white". It has always seemed ridiculous to me since no skin color is either black or white.
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Re: Free Resource! A "Trauma Informed" Jelly Bean Easter Poem
So... given the black jelly bean white jelly bean discussion, I thought Jane's recent post on here was interesting: https://www.pacesconnection.com/...hite-prince-ea-5-min
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Re: Free Resource! A "Trauma Informed" Jelly Bean Easter Poem
I like the video. I think it's all true and I hope we don't get into a simple either-or way of looking at race and all the history and current conscious and unconscious dynamics that surround it. Yes, labels limit- we are much more than those. And labels privilege others. I see both- and, and simply as adding some thoughtful context around the jellybean poem (and there are other similar apparently innocuous stories, movies, images) could make it richer and even more meaningful. Peace.
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Re: Free Resource! A "Trauma Informed" Jelly Bean Easter Poem
How would the Black community react to the sentences that start with Black, and White?
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Hi everyone... I think I mistakenly posted this on the main blog, which gets flooded with entries and things get lost fast! So, I reposted here in case any of the faith-based folks missed it last week. Blessings, Chris
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Excellent! I did miss it last week so thanks for posting it here.
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
You are welcome, Linda... I am still getting the hang of just how to best maneuver ACEs Connection and both find and post things in the appropriate places! I am glad you liked the article. Chris
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Thanks for this post Chris. I also agree with what you've written. If what you've captured is the essence of the phrase 'trauma-informed,' Then I think we need to go one step further in ministry and that is to make available options for traumatized congregants to receive healing. Options such as Linda Jacobs is offering at her church. For Christian church communities, this is an opportunity for people too experience the healing balm of Jesus Christ. So, yes, people in faith communities and...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
The following was in this month's church newsletter. "... "... Many years ago one of my parishioners came to see me because he could not shake a nagging feeling of anxiety and depression. Through the pastoral counseling process I also discovered that he had a heart condition. As I asked him questions to better understand what had happened in his life that could have triggered such physical and emotional symptoms he revealed that his mother had left his family on Christmas Eve as a child. He...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
These are all nice theories and truly look good in a vacuum. but people who've been impacted by ACEs are not "waiting in the wings" for somebody to put together a "trauma informed" ministry. People already exist. Its not "oh gee, let's do trauma informed ministry! Yippee!" For people with ACEs its, "we've been mistreated for YEARS" Talk with people actively engaged in the 'consumer' movement. Churches really "big" on 'social justice' issues, on "ministry" issues, either embrace the "disease"...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Hi Sandy... A lot to respond to and I want to give your comments and questions the honor of the appropriate level of prayer and thought before giving a substantive response. Maybe a phone call would work better? If you are interested, send me a private message! Thanks.
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
I have another friend that has developed a program called "Chained No More." This program is run in churches and is about breaking the chains from childhood. My friend, Robyn Bessemann didn't know much about trauma in the beginning but after lot of study, being raised in a minister's home and ministering to kids and youth of divorce she learned. The Lord impressed upon her to write this program. http://robynbministries.com/chained-no-more/ She also now has an Internet radio show where is...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
I am the author of "Chained No More...A Journey of Healing for Adult Children of Divorce/Childhood Brokenness ." I did not grow up in a horribly dysfunctional home, did not divorce, or have divorced parents. I did not suffer from abuse, although I had other issues growing up in a pastor's home. It used to be that we all kept our "family business" private, so never really discussed it, nor did we heal from it, so we took it forward into our adult lives. Churches proclaimed the gospel and gave...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Love it, Robyn! I share your passion. Of what I wrote, here's where I feel the crux of the matter lies... moving from advocacy for to advocacy with and empowerment of those with past (and present) trauma: Empowerment, voice and choice : Are those that are ministered to also given opportunity and empowered to minister within the church, understanding that they bring value and wisdom to the worshipping community? Are they fully integrated into the life of the church and given a voice for...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Yes, Chris. That is the next step for someone who has found healing. They have lived through trauma and damage, so, in my belief, they are highly qualified to move forward and "use their pain for good." We find in our participants, that after finding that healing, they then feel much more worthy and accepted wherever they go, including the church. Concerning Chained No More participants, we sometimes have them come in and observe the next set of classes, share a little of their journey of...
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Re: The Soulful Journey of Recovery: A Guide to Healing from a Traumatic Past for ACAs, Codependents, or Those with Adverse Childhood Experiences
Thanks for this review. I just ordered it---just what I was looking for as I organize a presentation about ACEs. Trying to offer as many recovery suggestions as possible, particularly from a Christian perspective. serenityandhealth.com
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Re: Building community by facing collective trauma with hope
One of the concepts I try to invoke to the community is the transforming power of being there — connecting rather than separating. Abraham Lincoln is quoted, “I don’t like that man. I need to get to know him better.” And “Do I not lose my enemies when I make them my friends?” Jesus befriended Zaccheus. Zaccheus was transformed in that he worked for the better of his community (Luke 19). Instead of asking, “Why did you do that?” ask, “Why are you hurting?” I’ve worked with those with...
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Re: A "Trauma-informed Lord's Prayer" by & for children, written in chapel at Intermountain
Your wonderful children who spoke from their hearts in creating their poignant "Lord's Prayer" is profoundly inspirational. Thank you so, so much for posting Chris. Absolutely beautiful... You are truly a Human Angel Chaplain Haughee.
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Re: For those that ordered... the trauma-informed curriculum for churches is headed out the door this week!
Thanks for putting this together Chris! Well done!
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Re: Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
Sanghoon, I am so encouraged by this work and our fellowship from afar! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help support your ministry this fall and going forward. Blessings, Chris
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Re: Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
This is awesome! I can't wait to see what God is going to do in this congregation...
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Re: Elevate Montana - Helena Affiliate and "trial run" of new trauma-informed curriculum for churches
Chaplain Chris - Thank you for your work in this area. I am connected with the faith based community in the Walla Walla area. We have been living the Paper Tigers story for several years. I applaud your connection between the science and Christian principles. Keep up the good work and keep the faith. Blessing
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Re: Intermountain hosts trauma-informed ministry training and workshop
Hi Chris, I have used your description of what it is a trauma informed church. Could let me know how you would like to be sited on that piece?
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Re: Why be "trauma-informed?" - a training for churches by Chaplain Chris Haughee, DMin
This is great! Thank you Chris!