April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, an opportunity to appreciate the ways we work together to keep families strong. Everyone has a role to play in making sure that our community is a great place for children and youth to thrive. Whether acting as a caring neighbor, a family member, a parent, or coworker, we can prevent child abuse and neglect by helping parents be the best they can be. There are seven wellness practices shown to reduce stress and strengthen resilience. This week...

Last month, LegacyWorks Group was able to participate in a training surrounding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) science and trauma informed care, led by Terri Allison. While LegacyWorks Group is a non profit focused on community driven projects, we are not healthcare providers nor do we work directly with youth in the community. Yet we still value ACEs science and wanted to incorporate the language and practices more within our own work. Most of the trainings associated with...

Today is International Nurses Day. Welcome Every Baby Family Connects Nurses have stepped up their work during these trying times in our community; providing telehealth visits, Zoom Mothers’ Groups, a baby scale loan program and porch delivery of First 5 CA Newborn Kits. Americans rank nurses as the most trusted profession. Parents are already reporting that a WEB-FC Nurse telehealth-visit provides valuable guidance, plus peace of mind. Often, just talking to families in general about how...

The full moon was setting and the sun was rising as organizers from KIDS Network, Children & Family Resource Services, Casa Pacifica, and the Department of Behavioral Wellness began setting up the 2019 BRIDGES TO RESILIENCE Conference on October 14 th at the beautiful Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The stately halls and ballrooms were a flurry of activity as staff prepared to receive over 350 community members who work with children, youth and families in Santa Barbara County.

Registration for the 4th Annual Santa Barbara County Bridges to Resilience Conference is now live and can be accessed via our beautiful new website! This conference is for anyone who works with children, youth, and families; has an interest in the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences; and has the goal of building a resilient and resourceful Santa Barbara County. Check out the details at https://www.bridgestoresilience.com/ Hope to see you there!

A recent celebration of community in Carpinteria, CA featured an inspiring speech by the Executive Director of the Carpinteria Children's Project, Maria Chesley, PhD. Maria and Dr. Peggy Dodds from the Carpinteria Health Care Clinic have been instrumental in launching a pilot project that began screening for ACEs in February. The Carpinteria Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Resilience Project (CARP) marks a significantly expanded integration of formal care across organizations. A...

April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. The 30th Medical Group Family Advocacy Program at Vandenberg Air Force Base hosted a screening of the independent film "Resilience" which discusses how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can significantly impact health and even decrease life expectancy. It was a great group: 48 people attended, most in uniform. Participants completed the ACEs Survey and 52% had 4 or more ACEs! Air Force medics, mental health clinicians, First...

Bridges to Resilience is a conference for anyone who works with children, youth and families, has an interest in the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and has the goal of building a resilient and resourceful Santa Barbara County. This conference provides an opportunity to build capacity for higher levels of collaboration by giving educators, early care providers, social workers, probation officers, law enforcement, health and mental health professionals, resource families,...

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A group of 40 community leaders representing a wide variety of service sectors came together on April 16, 2018 to meet with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a pioneering physician who delivers targeted care to vulnerable children who have been affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences. Each participant received a copy of Dr. Burke Harris' book, "The Deepest Well" to prepare them for the discussion about what might be possible for Santa Barbara County. Dr. Burke Harris inspired those who attended to...

Over 200 teachers, staff members, school psychologists, principals, and superintendents from eight school districts within the Santa Ynez Valley came together on October 9th for the 8th Annual All-Valley Schools Conference. The theme for this year's conference was Resilience, and the day started with a screening of the documentary film by KPJR Productions, RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope. A panel discussion followed the film and panelists shared their personal and...