Tagged With "Mind Matters"
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Valley Forum: The necessity of change at Hanna Boys Center [The Sonoma Index Tribune]
By Brian Farragher, Aug 15, 2019, Special To The Index Tribune For almost 75 years Hanna Boys Center has been instrumental in turning around the lives of thousands of troubled, at-risk boys and helped them become productive citizens. We are proud of this heritage. But like many organizations — religious, educational, political and corporate — Hanna has had missteps and failures which have come to light. You’ve probably read about them. These incidents of sexual abuse over several years are...
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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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We Need a Healing Movement
What if you had developed a cure for the most painful and costly public health problem in America, you had proven that it worked, and you were offering it for free, but could not reach those who need it most because no one wants to talk about the problem? Tragically, this is my reality and the truth about human nature. It is easier to suffer in silence than acknowledge the painful things that happen to us. Over 20 years ago, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser...
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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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When Being Trauma-Informed Is Not Enough
Trauma-informed care is the new gold standard. For the last several years, Echo has been providing professional development in trauma-informed care but we’re beginning to notice a worrying aspect of the new push to train staff and transform systems. Some human service professionals are seeing ‘trauma-informed care’ as another skill to add to their resume or a box to check off on a grant proposal. But if the information stays with the professionals and is not used to empower survivors, then...
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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 Recovers December E-News Letter
Subscribe to this email December 27, 2017 Official wildfire recovery information from the County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa LATEST NEWS Sonoma County Fire Debris Removal Progress Map Now Available A new map indicating the status of fire debris removal for residential properties destroyed in the wildfires is now available online. The map allows property owners to enter their address to view the debris removal status. Read More The two Sonoma County Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will...
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Sonoma County Resiliency Collaborative A Practical Approach to Post-Wildlife Resilience and Wellbeing
The traumatic events of the North Bay wildfires affect our emotional and physical health, social functioning, and overall well-being, both as individuals and as a community. Unresolved, they can damage our health and limit our potential to rebuild a strong community. Join diverse Sonoma County leaders and representatives to participate in dynamic workshop where you will practice tools for effectively addressing personal and team stress after the fires, network with peers, and learn about an...
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SPOTLIGHT ON: How to be Trauma Informed (repost from Echo Parenting)
Okay, we’ve got it: Not “what’s wrong with you?” but “What happened to you?” That explosive outburst? The child who cannot concentrate at school? The domestic violence survivor who is in a constant state of hyper-vigilance? Yes, most of us in family services are now able to recognize trauma-symptoms and respond with empathy… most of the time. But what does it mean to be truly trauma-informed? For a start, it means that we have patience with others and ourselves as we seek to acquire the...
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Stop Dreaming & Start Doing
With graduation season upon us, I have been thinking a lot about one of my favorite graduation speeches. It’s the speech that Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, gave in 2014 at Dartmouth College. She references the typical expected advice from a graduation speech: “Follow your dreams. Listen to your spirit. Change the world. Make your mark. Find your inner voice and make it sing. Embrace failure. Dream. Dream and dream big..." And then she says, “I think that’s crap.”
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White Paper: A Model for Strengthening Community in Trauma Affected Neighborhoods
This white paper published in 2014 by Bridge Housing Corporation in San Francisco, and the Health Equity Institute at San Francisco State University provides valuable information on how to strengthen trauma affected neighborhoods by utilizing the Trauma Informed Community Building Model. Community members living in low-income and public housing may experience cumulative trauma, resulting from daily stressors of violence, poverty, historical racism and disenfranchisement. By addressing the...
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Will You Marry Us?
An open letter to Sonoma County ACES Connections members We have some exciting news! We were just selected to receive $100,000 to expand our ACES work! It is thrilling, scary and inspiring all at once. This changes many things. We now have...
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Youth court banishes blame; leads with ACEs science
YMCA Marin County Youth Court in San Rafael, California In her opening statement, 17-year-old youth advocate Eva advises jurors how to proceed and summarizes her “client’s” good qualities. “As you will see, Julian is genuine, well-spoken and friendly. I recommend asking him about his friends and family, his future plans and his activities outside of school.” (First names only of all minors are used to protect their privacy.) Welcome to the YMCA Marin County (CA) Youth Court, one of 1,400...
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!
Calendar Event
No Small Matter Screening
Comment
Re: Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting 11/30/16
So, I'm a bit surprised that the thoughts I sent to our leadership and later posted here on 11/9/16 for everyone to read are not mentioned at all. While the concept of looking at the original document for principles is good in theory, it should be remembered that at the last meeting people had issues with the original being "unwelcoming." I think the discussion on this matter will be a bit more lively than you imagined. Below is a copy of my posting. Apply rules sparingly but fairly Use the...
Comment
Re: Trauma Informed Care in Hospital Settings - is it missing?
Karen, clearly it's a good thing you are there to advocate for her. Your comments have made me rethink some of the issues I've been dealing with in terms of caring for my parents, so thank you for raising this matter. I think as many of us are or become involved in the care of our parents, we will see the system of care in a new light. Within the healthcare system, there is far too much pressure to address the presenting problem and not acknowledge the person or underlying issue.
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Re: ‘None of us will ever be the same’: Survivors of 2017 Tubbs Fire face long-term trauma [Sacramento Bee]
Thank you Karen, Most people don’t understand this kind of PTSD. My sister lost her home in Journey’s End and everything she owned. She got out out with her life and two of her three cats. Poor little “Betty” died in the fire. My sister now lives in Minnesota. There was a fire (actually many over the last few weeks) in a wooded area here in Lake County, where 67% of our county has burned. When some people, new to the area, were told to pack a bag and get out they scoffed at the suggestion...
Comment
Re: Free of Violation of Rights - Legal Imperatives That Could Address the Impact of ACEs
So many thanks to James for caring about and working on this incredibly important issue! I have a couple of thoughts to share. Legally, this is a very difficult case to make because we don’t have a way to tie ACEs exposure to emotional or mental health problems in any one specific child. We know as a matter of population that exposure increases the risk of short and long term health problems, and that the rate of incidence is relatively predictable on a population level. But as to any one...
Reply
Re: WALLA WALLA Data Collection
Hi Nick, I think you may be looking for the report the was produced following the interventions that were highlighted in the Paper Tiger film? Please see the attached document and see if it is what you were looking for. Thanks, Karen
Comment
Re: Mindful-Based Practices, Therapeutic Activities, & Ways to Relax: For Teachers, Parents, & Children
Thanks for this reminder. I also do yoga and it helps to remind others to do some of the other things you mentioned.
Comment
Re: Policy Committee Meeting Notes
Allen, Alison & Lena - You guys are awesome! Allen, these notes are great!! The ideas and strategies you outlined have the potential to nudge real systems change! Incorporating adverse community experiences, along with ACEs - is very timely - on many levels. Speaking of systems change - some may be interested to know that the CDPH Essentials for Childhood Initiative leadership is starting an effort to push toward having California become a "trauma informed state" (details TBD). Some...
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ACEs screening is about building relationships, says early adopter
Whether or not to screen for ACEs in primary care is an important debate—and I hear and respect the passion from both sides of the argument. I fall in the “pro-ACE assessments” camp, but with some important caveats. I think that assessments for ACEs are dramatically different from screening for autism or developmental delays. In my opinion, assessments for ACEs in primary care should be primarily about building relationships.
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Shocking example of how Sonoma County devalues human rights (Sonoma Sun)
Letter to the Editor, by John Donnelly, July 6, 2020. The killing of George Floyd has unleashed a much-needed reckoning with our nation’s long history of systemic racism. Right here in Sonoma County we need to acknowledge the realities of white supremacy and the ways in which this has been manifested in police biases and in the disproportionate enforcement of “law and order.” Because “Black Lives Matter,” it is most dismaying to learn that Dmitra Smith has announced her resignation as Chair...
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Report: Santa Rosa Police Violated Human Rights During Protests (Bohemian)
By Will Carruthers, July 14, 2020, Bohemian. Report frames protests within county's history of racism A 40-page report published by a Sonoma County commission this week offers the most comprehensive account so far of how police handled local racial justice protests in May and June. At a meeting Friday, July 10, the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights voted to publish and distribute a report titled “Human Right Violations in Santa Rosa California - Policing the Black Lives Matter...
Comment
Re: New Report Finds 1% of Sonoma County Residents Account for Over 25% of Jail, Shelter, and Behavioral Health Utilization (ACCESS Sonoma)
Thanks for posting this Karen. Much like ACEs, the matter of clients of one service often requiring multiple services, is something intuitively known to most service providers. We all have worked with persons whose lack of transportation also made it difficult to keep a job, or whose lack of stable housing impacted their child's ability to have a consistent educational situation. It's great to see some actual numbers and percentages to verify the extent of the problem. One concern I have is...
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Friendly Reminder: our July meeting is Weds 7/22 at 3:30!
Please join our July Zoom meeting - all are welcome! If you prefer, there is a call in option too. ZOOM LINK or see calendar for more details. So much is happening across the county (and beyond) so maybe we can put our heads together and find ways to support this important work! See below for the draft agenda and the attached references: 1 OCAP released their strategic plan 2020-2025 2 MCH released a report on how health inequities emerge before birth 3 EfC just released Trauma Informed...
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Coping with Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: One-Pager
Coping with Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: One-Pager
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Today's agenda and zoom link
See attached for a printable version of our meeting agenda. Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78601927053?pwd=S0xXc0RDVGVCOXo1TVpXUHdKVmtGQT09 Meeting ID: 786 0192 7053 Passcode: iPi187l6Xj About this community: We bring the community together to prevent, heal, and treat ACEs while promoting resiliency. Working together, we seek opportunities to leverage and coordinate with others. Welcome! Review agenda - any additions Introductions if you feel comfortable Recognition of our...
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Upcoming Webinar: Learn How to Start an ACEs Initiative in Your Community
Are you curious about starting an ACEs Initiative in your community? Join one of these upcoming webinars to learn how to start an initiative. I'm Alison Cebulla, the Community Facilitator (CF) for the Northeast USA, Mid-Atlantic USA, and Canada for ACEs Connection. You are welcome to attend these webinars no matter which region you are interested in starting. After the webinar, I will put you in touch with the CF in your region who will help you get started if you choose to move forward. All...
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Ripple Effect: Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Partners with Schools and Service Providers to Build Trauma-Informed Community in Michigan
The week of the fall equinox was Mino-Bimaadiziwin Wellness Week at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy (SCA) in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, a pre-K through 5th grade school of about 130 students. “Mino-Bimaadiziwin” is an Anishinabe phrase meaning “to live the good life.” At the school, it started with “Mindfulness Monday”—students were encouraged to wear their favorite “thinking cap”—then segued to “Take care of our bodies Tuesday,” a “Love Your Community Wednesday" that included talking circles, and...
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Nashville’s Purposeful Twist on ACEs: All Children Excel
In 2015, the pieces that became ACE Nashville began to fall into place. A five-year Community Health Improvement Plan included the support of mental and emotional health as one of its three goals. A core team of individuals from the Metro Public Health Department (MPHD), Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee and the Family Center, a non-profit focused on breaking generational cycles of child trauma, began to meet weekly. And a citywide “consensus workshop” in April of that year—drawing 44...
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Why I joined ACES CONNECTION
Kia ora from Auckland, NZ. My name is Adriana. I am the community manager of trauma-informed NZ with ACES CONNECTION. ACES CONNECTION, is based in the States, far from New Zealand, and our way of life, yet, I am the community manager of a community with ACES CONNECTION Today, I am going to share with you, my reasons for joining ACES CONNECTION. I will make a call for action at the end of my talk, so please stay to the end Why did I join ACES CONNECTION? Here is my story. I live in NZ, always...
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County efforts make progress on homelessness through the Access Initiative (Sonoma County Gazette)
By Access Sonoma, December 7, 2020. Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency (ACCESS) Sonoma is a county initiative that focuses on the critical needs of residents who are experiencing physical and mental health challenges, economic uncertainty, housing instability, substance use disorders, criminal justice engagement and social inequity. In a matter of 10 months, Sonoma County has successfully moved 30 percent of residents into housing from Los Guilicos Village through its...
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The 'war on drugs' was a war on people of color
In the spring of 1982, Susan Burton turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with the death of her 5-year-old son, who had run into the street and was hit by a vehicle driven by an off-duty police officer . Over the course of the next 17 years, Burton was in and out of prison. “Each time I left, I felt a little more broken,” she told me recently. What would have made a difference, she said, was “if there could have been a way to have therapy from traumatic childhood events, disappointments and...
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Santa Rosa Attorney Takes On Racial Disparities Within Sonoma County Government | Sonoma Magazine
The daughter and granddaughter of leading farm labor advocates, Alegria De La Cruz is taking on the next role in her family's long campaign for social justice. https://www.sonomamag.com/santa-rosa-attorney-takes-on-racial-disparities-within-sonoma-county-government/
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My WHY I show up to do this work
I recently read a quote that @Christine Cissy White (ACEsConnection) shared that says, "Trauma informed care isn't trauma informed, without the trauma survivor." No matter what degree, training, or book you acquire you can never really know how it feels to experience trauma unless you go through it. I remember when I first discovered I had an ACE score of 7; I had been serving the community by supporting resiliency, self-healing, and breaking stigmas around mental health. I came across the...