WHAT IS RACISM? "Racism is a system of structuring opportunity and assigning value based on the social interpretation of how one looks (which is what we call "race"), that unfairly disadvantages some individuals and communities, unfairly advantages other individuals and communities, and saps the strength of the whole society through the waste of human resources." -- APHA Past-President Camara Phyllis Jones, MD, MPH, PhD Racism is undeniably a public health issue (APHA's Georges Benjamin in...

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life. THE SCIENCE OF WELL BEING WAS PRODUCED IN PART DUE TO...

CRI is proud to announce its 5th annual BPT Conference is going virtual. The theme this year is Resilience through Diversity: The power of trauma-informed DEI practices. BPT is a medium to share and learn from communities around the world. Over two days you will have the option of attending: 6 live presentations, 2 keynotes, 15 pre-recorded on-demand presentations, and on-demand screenings of 'Paper Tigers', 'Resilience' and the premiere of the documentary 'Visceral' with live Q&A...

In his groundbreaking book , In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction , trauma and addiction expert Dr. Gabor Maté writes, “There are almost as many addictions as there are people.” ACEs Connection founder and publisher Jane Stevens read that quote as a springboard to asking Maté to define addiction and explain whether or not it is always rooted in adverse childhood experiences. Maté, along with filmmaker Michelle Esrick and Saturday Night Live star Darrell Hammond,...

Below are links to Communities on the ACEs Connection website for cities, counties, regions, and initiatives in Washington State. Let me know if I'm missing any. 12 of 35 Counties to date. For a list of "live" ACEs and Resilience groups and initiatives in Washington State: https://www.acesconnection.com/g/washington-state-ace-s-group/blog/aces-and-resilience-local-groups-and-initiatives ACEs Action Alliance - Clark County Clallam Resilience Project - Clallam County HOPE's ACEs in Action of...

From the League of Extraordinary People in Federal Way: We are seeking Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Social Justice Healthcare Organizers from the community to help us develop a Black & Multiracial Behavioral Healthcare Clinic and Residential Community on the 1.5 acres of property we own in Federal Way, WA. Amidst the circumstances created by the current pandemic, we are establishing virtual services such as Case Management, Life Coaching, and more. The experience and knowledge...

THE EASTER BONNIE , aka Bonnie Schmidt of Port Angeles, gave her preschoolers little baskets of farewell last week. On the porch of her Little Rhythms Learning Center, she placed packages of belongings the kids had left behind, plus art supplies and fond notes to each family. No hugs allowed. School is over for the rest of the academic year, following Gov. Jay Inslee’s mandate, and parents, children and educators must cope with the loss. Now and going forward: How can we, as a community,...

When I was an adolescent and young adult, I struggled with depression. As I reflect back on that time, so much of what I was experiencing was deeply tied to coming to terms with my sexuality. Growing up in the 1980’s in a relatively conservative town, I was closeted (even to myself) until I was a young adult. The pain and fear of being different, of not belonging, of being judged or rejected for who I was more than my adolescent brain could wrap its conscious head around.

Thank you to all who were able to participate on our recent webinar on “Empowering Parents with the Brain Science and Vroom” . For those that were not able to participate we have r ecorded the full webina r for you to watch. Webinar: Empowering Parents with the Brain Science and VROOM Presented by: Marilyn Gisser Hosted by: Essentials for Childhood, Washington State Department of Health; and Emerging Wisdom Click here to watch the pre-recorded webinar (YouTube) For more information (click...

Join the SELF-Leadership Cohort Your inner-state makes all the difference, as a care provider and/or leader. We are in a time of disruptive change that has us challenged and facing higher stress loads. We can turn to the N.E.A.R. Sciences to help us upgrade our practices for navigating change (N.E.A.R. = Neuroscience, Epigenetics, ACEs, and Resilience). Are you ready for new strategies and self-care practices? Join the six-week SELF-Leadership Cohort . The cohort launches June 9 th with...

GCACH Leadership Council Meeting Reminder Thursday, May 21st from 9:00 am - 11:30 am Teleconference +1.312.757.3121; Access code 776.402.557 At the beginning of May, Governor Inslee announced a four-stage phase in for lifting of restrictions – starting with allowing retail curbside pick-up, automobile sales and car washes – with a minimum of three weeks between each phase. There has already been the easing of some restrictions, including the resumption of existing construction projects and...

With Suzette Fromm Reed, community psychologist, and Dario Longhi, change/sociology researcher. Presented by the Washington State ACEs and Resilience Community of Practice. May 26, 2020 at 12:00 PM. What works? What kinds of resilience increases community-wide levels of well-being and moderates ACE impacts? Come learn about the evidence of the effects of contextual resilience based on research from 108 Washington communities. How to make it happen? What we can learn from strategies employed...