Tagged With "Suicide Prevention"
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Customizing ACEs Screening for High School Students in Santa Rosa, CA
Repost with permission by Sylvia Paull When students show up for an appointment at the Elsie Allen Health Center, which is located on the Elsie Allen High School campus in Santa Rosa, CA, one of the first things they do is take an ACE survey. Instead of answering the 10-question survey developed for the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study), they respond to 16 questions. That’s because the questionnaire was designed by the clinic staff to address the...
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CYW releases "Children Can Thrive: A Vision for California's Response to ACEs"
The Center for Youth Wellness released a new report “Children Can Thrive: A Vision for California’s Response to ACEs”. This report is a follow up to last November’s Children Can Thrive Summit. ...
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Dozens of stakeholders representing thousands of practitioners send public comments on Calif. ACEs-screening plan
Update: We posted this story on Tuesday evening and received a response from the Department of Health Care Services Wednesday that clarifies additional information. DHCS information Officer Katharine Weir said that subject to budget approval by the legislature and the governor: The reimbursement rate will be $29. Federally Qualified Health Centers will also be reimbursed for screening pediatric patients for trauma through Prop 56 funds and federal matching funds. In response to a question...
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Dr. Melissa Merrick Explains CDC's Vital Signs/ACEs Report [Prevent Child Abuse America]
Dr. Melissa Merrick, president & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America, provides four key takeaways from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest Vital Signs/ACEs report , of which she is the lead author. Merrick also identifies several practical solutions for creating the conditions for safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments for all children, families and communities, which are fundamental to preventing ACEs. Among these solutions is strengthening economic...
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DULCE helps pediatricians in Oakland, CA, prevent toxic stress in newborns
On a recent day in early March, Laura Lopez met a former patient of hers in the waiting room of Highland Hospital’s pediatric clinic in Oakland, CA. The patient had forgotten her Medi-Cal card and called Lopez asking for help. But in the brief conversation, Lopez, a family specialist with the DULCE program, learned about some dire changes in the patient’s life. Laura Lopez “Without me even asking, she shared with me that she had separated from her partner, that she needs to apply for food...
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The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Resiliency Fellowship Begins!
Tomorrow in Sonoma County, a constellation of passionate folks is coming together to begin an incredible journey of working to heal our community by addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences and promoting Resiliency. 60 folks applied and were selected to participate in the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Resiliency Fellowship. These local leaders will serve as community educators on the topics of toxic stress and resiliency. Some of the school counselors, peer advocates, home...
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The Economics of Child Abuse: A Study of California
While the impact of maltreatment on a child and their family is devastating, child maltreatment also has serious effects far beyond those for the victim. Maltreatment results in ongoing costs to taxpayers, institutions, businesses, and society at large. Local communities bear the brunt of these costs in the form of medical, educational, and judicial costs, though more tragic signs are seen in homelessness, addiction, and teen pregnancy. To create a concrete understanding of the widespread...
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Transformational Resilience Train the Trainer Opportunities in San Francisco
Applications Now Open for Nov 15-16 Transformational Resilience Intensive Train-the-Trainer Workshop The ITRC is offering a Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Transformational Resilience for climate change aggravated traumas and toxic stresses workshop. The workshop will be held November 15-16 in San Francisco. This will be an intensive 2-day training offered in cooperation with the SEI Resilient Community Fellows Program. It is open to a maximum of 20 people who want to learn how to apply...
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Trauma education and mindfulness help youth living amid gun violence
Armon Hurst, 2nd from left, first row, Teens on Target, courtesy of YouthAlive! Eighteen-year-old Armon Hurst serves as vice president of the student body at Castlemont High School in Oakland, Calif. He has a 4.0 grade point average, is an avid baseball player, and is slated to go to college next year. But until a few years ago, Hurst would find himself waking from nightmares in the middle of the night. It was difficult to concentrate at school, and he wasn’t eating well. Armon Hurst “There...
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Trauma Informed Pocket Card Inspires Praise from Community Member
Do you read the Press Democrat or the North Bay Business Journal? If yes, you may have seen Prevent Child Abuse Sonoma County's special newspaper insert. This colorful and helpful resource guide offered stories, tips, resources and tools for helping to strengthen families and reduce child abuse. Page 7 featured an article about "Trauma Informed Care" and included a pocket card folks could use as a tool for letting doctors, dentists, and other care providers they might need some extra care to...
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Trauma Informed Schools Webinar Archive
Did you see the September 22 webinar the National Child Traumatic Stress Network hosted? If you missed it look for it here: http://learn.nctsn.org/ The handouts are also attached. Policy Issues in Implementing Trauma-Informed Schools In this webinar experts will explore policy challenges and lessons learned in promoting and supporting trauma-informed schools. Speakers will share key NCTSN resources related to the development and implementation of trauma-informed schools; discuss the...
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Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program (SAMHSA)
Click HERE to learn more. Description The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), are accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program (Short Title: Native Connections). The purpose of this program is to prevent suicide and substance misuse, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN)...
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University students seeking counseling learn about their ACEs
Dr. Diane Suffridge, a clinical psychologist and director of the University Counseling Services at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif., has been interested in trauma for many years. But last summer that interest took a sudden and interesting turn. A student counselor she advised had written a research paper on the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) health and mental health outcomes in foster youth, and it gave the student a new view of the patients she counseled at the...
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Update on Bumper Crop of State ACEs bills in 2017—46 bills in 20 states
The latest update of state legislation considered by state legislatures in 2017 reveals the growing interest by state policymakers across the country in addressing trauma across sectors. The attached “At-A-Glance” table shows 46 bills in twenty states reference Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or trauma-informed policy and practice. Take a look at the attached “At-A-Glance” table and leave a comment if your state considered ACEs/trauma legislation that is not included here. A handful of...
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Violence Profile of Sonoma County
Several months ago, the Violence Profile of Sonoma County was published online. The profile aims to deliver three messages: (1) Violence Impacts Health (2) Violence is More than Physical (3) Violence is Preventable In addressing these aims, the profile provides a strong explanation for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) having lasting effects on health and behaviors, including violent behaviors such as emotional abuse, intimate partner violence, and suicide attempts. The profile also uses...
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Want Another Chance to Participate in a Ripple Effect Training?
Did you miss your chance to participate in the Sonoma County Ripple Effect training? Mark your calendars for the Marin Prevent Child Abuse event: T he Ripple Effect: A Framework for Enhancing Trauma Informed Practice Thursday, November 9, 2017 8:30am-4:30pm Location: The Key Room, 1385 N. Hamilton Pkwy. Novato, CA 94949 Description: This all day workshop presents an integrative framework for understanding and communicating across systems about how trauma can affect a child, a family, and a...
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Webinar Oct. 17 — Integrating ACEs science in pediatrics: Early adopters share lessons from the field
An ACEs Connection webinar co-sponsored with 4 CA In 2017, California became the first state in the country to pass a law supporting universal screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the 5.3 million children in the state’s Medicaid program. As clinicians around California await the state’s announcement of what this new policy will entail, many are wondering what it takes to integrate ACEs science in a pediatric practice. Meet Drs. Deirdre Bernard-Pearl, R.J. Gillespie and...
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"What Happened To You? A Journey From Childhood Adversity to Resiliency" Explained by a Compelling Pamphlet
I found a manila envelope on my desk this morning. Inside was a heartfelt letter wrapped around a small stack of pamphlets. I can't remember the last time I held a paper resource guide in my hand, and there is something quite satisfying in this small, tangible resource. As I thumb through the pages, I feel myself drawn into a simple, relate-able story. I'm eager to keep turning pages and to discover how those of us with similar stories can find resources and support. "The pamphlet is...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting 7-26-17
Dear Friends, We look forward to coming together to continue our efforts to raise awareness around Adverse Childhood Experiences & Resiliency. Join our community coalition’s meeting on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 12:30 at 625 5 th Street, Santa Rosa in the City View Rooms. Attached is the agenda for our meeting and last months meeting minutes. Your voice, community insight, and local action is helping us achieve community healing. We thank you for your participation and support! (Please...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting 7-27-16
Dear Friends, Please join us for the upcoming Sonoma County ACEs Connection Meeting on July 27, 2016 12:30 - 2:00 at 625 5 th Street, Santa Rosa. We will not meet in August , but please do mark your calendars for our September 28, 2016 meeting which be held from 12:30 - 2:00. We are looking for an agency to volunteer to host this meeting by providing a meeting space for 30 people. Please let us know if you would like to have the ACEs Connection come out to your site for the September...
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Sonoma County ACEs Connection Meeting Agenda 3/21/18
Hi everyone, Attached is the agenda for today's meeting. I look forward to seeing you all there!
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Sonoma County ACEs Connection Meeting February 28, 2018
The Sonoma County ACEs Connection has had some exciting meetings the past few months, exploring the many directions our group can and will take in the coming months. Attached you will find a typed up version of our brainstorm sessions from the February, 28, 2018 General Meeting of the Sonoma County ACEs Connection. The topics addressed included: (1) What will the be the group's norms and dedication to safe space look like? (2) What type of resiliency events should our group engage in? (3)...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting Minutes 4-27-16
Thank you to all that participated in today’s ACES meeting. We had a great turnout given many partners also planned to attend the Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention luncheon the next day! Today, we started the meeting with a meditation for our mindful moment . Sue Stephenson introduced us to the Tonglen meditation of breathing in suffering and breathing out compassion. With just a few breaths and a focus on our intentions, we were all quickly grounded in the compassion-centered work that...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting Notes from 1-17-16
Dear Sonoma County ACES Connection Enthusiasts, Guess who is coming to our town? Dr. Macy is a tireless pioneer in the field of psychological trauma, psychosocial recovery and resiliency in research, interventions and violence prevention initiatives for children, youth, their families, and adults and their communities exposed to traumatic events including large-scale disasters, terrorist events, and political, school based, community and armed conflict violence. Check out his upcoming...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting Notes from 3-23-16
(Please see the attachment for the version with photos and colors - it is much more visually interesting!) 3/23/16 Dear Sonoma County ACEs Connection Enthusiasts, Thank you to all that participated in today’s ACES meeting. Today, we started the meeting with a quiet mindful moment . Susan Barnett-Hampson led us in a short meditation, using her soothing, slow voice to ground us in the present moment. A few deep breaths and positive affirmations can help us refocus whenever needed! “ A...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting Notes from 5-24-17
(For a picture-filled and engaging version of these notes, please see the attachment.) 5-24-17 Thank you to all that participated in our May ACES meeting. Grace Harris started us off with a mindful moment. This “mindful moment” encouraged us to focus on being present. Jane Weil and Tré Vasquez from Restorative Resources shared with us a film that provided an overview of Restorative Resources. Restorative Resources is using trauma-informed practices in multiple schools throughout Sonoma...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting Notes from 7-26-17
07-26-17 Dear Sonoma County ACEs Connection Friends, Thank you to all that participated in today’s ACES meeting. Grace Harris reported out on the Ripple Effect Training that she attended. She shared how Chandra Gosh Ipen discussed core trauma concepts to help us work across disciplines and how we need to look at trauma through an integrated lens that values many perspectives: History, Systems, Strategies, Culture, Development, Pathology. We are hoping to have Chandra Gosh Ipen share her...
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Sonoma County ACEs Connection Meeting Notes November 30, 2016
(For a graphically engaging version of these notes, please see the attachment.) Dear Sonoma County ACEs Connection Friends, Thank you to all that participated in today’s ACES meeting. Dory Escobar invited the group to take a mindful moment by listening to a “reflection” or short tale with a powerful message about intentions. Grace Harris welcomed the group, and gave a brief overview of the folks that assemble each month. Sonoma County ACEs Connection is a growing community coalition, with...
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Sonoma County ACES Connection Steering Committee Meeting Notes from 1-10-18
These are the meeting notes for the Sonoma County ACEs Connection Steering Committee meeting from 1-10-17.
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Sonoma County ACEs Connection Strategic Planning Session Update
Thanks to all of the members who contributed to our Strategic Planning Session on 6/29/16. The engaging agenda is attached to this post, as is the presentation on the scope of the problem of ACE's in Sonoma County. Our fabulous facilitator, Selena Polston (Innovation Team Program Manager for Public Health) captures some of our meeting highlights in these notes: ACES Connection Retreat: Developing a Vision Statement Wednesday, June 29, 2016 Elsie Allen High School What Makes A Great Vision...
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Sonoma County Goes to Sacramento with 4CA on Policymaker Education Day on Childhood Adversity 7/11/17
Carla Denner, Health Information Specialist II at First 5 Sonoma County, plans traveling to our state capitol next week. Under her arm she'll have a stack of handouts (see attachment) for policy makers educating them about how adverse childhood experiences and childhood trauma affect our community and what they can do to help. The California Campaign to Counter Childhood Adversity (4CA) is coordinating this Policymaker Education Day in Sacramento. "Join with allies from across California to...
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Sonoma County Housing Insecurity Part of Bay Area Regional Health Inequality Initiative Describes
This report highlights how housing insecurity can have tremendous impact on the mental health and well being of children and families. Are there ACE's to prevent in addressing this huge issue? Read the 2016 Displacement Brief for yourself here: http://files.ctctcdn.com/c5679d79501/8b862fbe-6570-4a29-bc8e-29e7fbeef38e.pdf Mental Health Impacts: The emotional toll of displacement and living with the threat of displacement is significant, affecting mental wellbeing, sense of belonging and...
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Sonoma County Office of Education January Bulletin: Trauma-Informed Teaching and Fostering Resilience
This month the Sonoma County Office of Education dedicated their January Bulletin to raising awareness on Trauma-Informed Teaching Knowing Our Students’ Stories and Fostering Resilience. "Recent social and scientific research calls upon educators to provide student with not only academic learning, but also the social and emotional tools needed to be successful in life. We once though subjects like math and history to be disconnected from basic social skills and emotional resilience. Now,...
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Sonoma County one of 14 communities awarded MARC grant
[Originally posted by Leslie Lieberman] Fo urteen communities from across the country now have an opportunity to expand their innovative work in addressing childhood adversity through a new project launched by The by The Health Federation of Philade lphia , with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The California Endowment. Called Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities (MARC), the project supports communities building the movement...
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Sonoma County Trauma and Resilience Network One Pager
Attached find a 2018 version of Sonoma County community profile detailing information about your community ACEs initiative. This will be shared with CA legislators at the Trauma-Informed Policymaker Awareness Day on May 22nd in Sacramento. I attach it here as a PDF ready to print and share! I also have uploaded into 'Resources for Downloading' the same PDF, and an editable Word document so that you can update or otherwise improve it. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to...
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Sonoma Film Fest Screens Redford's Followup to Paper Tiger's Film "Resilience"
James Redford will screen "Resilience" twice at Sonoma's Film Fest this weekend. For those of us who were transformed by his first film, Paper Tigers, it is big news that he'll screen his latest documentary in our own backyard. The film works with the provocative premise: “The child may not remember, but the body remembers.” The trailer will surely capture your attention - watch it here . Redford's website further explains: The original research was controversial, but the findings revealed...
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Strategic Plan Survey- Santa Rosa’s Violence Prevention Partnership
The City of Santa Rosa’s Violence Prevention Partnership, funded by Measure O , has launched a Strategic Plan Survey in order to better serve the needs of our community . Please find links to the survey below in both English and Spanish. We ask that you share the survey with our youth and families in-person, through email, and various social media outlets, so together , we can continue to create change for our community. If you’d like to print out the survey and have youth & families...
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Strategies 2.0 [strategiesca.asentialms.com]
By Strategies CA, September 4, 2019 Healthy families are the bedrock of strong, vibrant communities. When the skills and abilities of professionals and their organizations grow and strengthen, they can create bigger, more sustainable changes in their communities so that all families can be healthy. Organizations working with families want to support as many people as possible and make a bigger impact but their budgets and resources fall far short of their aspirations. With no-cost trainings...
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Study unearths patterns in San Jose homeless population's ACE scores
Photo by Terabass/ CC-SA-3.0 It was around 2010 that Dr. Angela Bymaster was seeing a disturbing pattern in the histories of her adult patients. She already knew that patients who saw her at the Valley Homeless Health Care Program in San Jose, CA, where she worked at the time, were homeless or recently homeless. What was most troubling to Bymaster was knowing that their current precarious existence could have been prevented. Dr. Angela Bymaster “Over and over and over again I was hearing the...
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Syrian Children in a state of Toxic Stress
An article posted by BBC News captures what the children of Syria are experiencing and how many of these children don't know anything but war. This is a huge public health concern that could lead to irreversible damage to an entire generation of children. Save the Children shares, "Millions of Syrian Children could be living in a state of "Toxic Stress" due to prolonged exposure to the horrors of war." I have attached the Report, Invisible Wounds produced by Save the Children if you're...
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Work in Progress -- Comments Requested
This promising short video, created by Allen Nishikawa, was screened at our last monthly meeting. It is intended as a brief introduction to ACEs, similar to an "elevator speech": a quick and general overview to spark interest and further discussion....
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You're invited: Saturday, June 25
On Saturday, June 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) and ACEs Connection Sonoma County are hosting an interactive conversation on Resilience at the First Methodist Stony Point Worship Center at 2150 Giffen Avenue, Santa Rosa. Please spread the word, come learn about ACEs and the Resilience Scale from our own Grace Harris, and experience AVP interpersonal exercises! Refreshments and socializing are on the agenda, too. We hope to see you there!
Ask the Community
Feedback Wanted on Draft Working Guidelines for Sonoma County ACEs Connection
Dear Friends, We plan to vote on adopting the attached working guidelines at our September 28, 2016 ACEs Connection Meeting. We are looking for folks to respond with specific edits for text changes by September 12, 2016. Please feel free to use track changes, notes, or simply to send an email with suggested edits and page numbers. Thank you!
Ask the Community
How are ACEs showing up in our emergency rooms? What could we do to address root causes before this point?
Have you read the article " Commentary: Turning medical 'frequent fliers' into healthier homebodies " By Larissa Estes and Peter V. Long posted on 07/09/2016 via the Mercury News? Read these first few paragraphs and share your reactions: Their suffering is immense. Emergency department doctors know them by name. Almost 9 percent of America's gross domestic product goes to their care. Yet virtually no one is asking how we can prevent their illnesses and injuries before they occur. We are...
Ask the Community
Invite others to join our group
Here is an invitation you can email to others to encourage them to join our group. ACEs Connection Network staff are also working on some that will be printed.
Calendar Event
ACEs Enthusiasts Community Meeting
Calendar Event
Birth, Breastfeeding and Beyond Conference
Calendar Event