This website looks at a wholistic approach to interventions for people of all ages, cultures and identities experiencing the impact of toxic stress.
NICHQ provides this resource to better support Black mothers, birthing people and families.
Pure Edge, Inc. believes that all educators and learners deserve to be taught strategies that help manage stress and support the development of social, emotional, and academic learning competencies with an open heart and mind. The curriculum that has been developed is a free resource which can be downloaded. They also offer SEL for Adult Learners/staff. The Cultivating a Compassionate School Flourish helps to teach compassion to students; both for others and self.
The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement has published on their website a very useful article in response to the Israel-Gaza War on talking to children and teens. The article give guidance to parents and caregivers. You can download a pdf of this article at this website.
This website supports systems and communities to develop family-centered early childhood systems to improve the health and well-being in early childhood. It offers resources from prenatal to 3 years.
This post on AddictionsResource.net explains the importance of sleep, both for recovery and mental health. It discusses a variety of substances and the impact on sleep, how to create good sleep hygiene and the emotional and cognitive benefits of adequate sleep.
This Dec. 7, 2021 article from the NASW License Map describes the different types of homelessness and gives some statistics regarding the severity of homelessness in student population. It offers strategies for supporting these youth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics in the January 2020 issue of Pediatrics Volume 145 Issue 1 published this call for action. While new mothers get screened routinely, it is not true for new fathers. This article suggest all parents need to be screened for better outcomes of young children.
This project was started by Indigenous women to promote and provide a network of Alaskan Native birth workers who are confident, competent, and grounded in native birthing families and advocate for systemic change.
The Isaiah 117 house provides physical and emotional support to children awaiting placement in a trauma informed care manner.
A link to Dr. Stephen Porges commentary regarding the premisis of and the current status of the Polyvagal Theory..
Bouncing Back Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Pennsylvania whose mission is to foster resiliency in children whose parents are divorcing. Due to generous donations, they are able to give out FREE books.
This website has podcast, videos & research from leading practitioners in child mental health. Trainings are also available.
This website offers FREE webinars on a variety of topics several times per week. These are recorded for later watching but CE's are only provided for those who are able to watch the live webinars which occur Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays each week from 12-1pm. The calendar of upcoming topics is posted on the website and is up to date for at least the next month.
Promising Futures is a project of Futures without Violence which works towards a world free from violence through Partnering with communities in 3 ways: Designing and Implementing Solutions, Strategies for Healing and Strengthening Families, and Policy Changes to Help Families Thrive
Wordless videos promote curiosity before judgement. These videos ask viewers to wonder and to think critically about themselves, others and the world. They expose the viewer to a variety of cultures. Teachers and parents can use these videos to teach a variety of subjects and to teach kindness.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness’s (NAMI) three-part video series that explores the journey of mental wellness in Hispanic/Latinx communities through dialogue, storytelling and a guided discussion on the mental wellness topics
Trauma is common among veterans whether it is physical, emotional or sexual. Unfortunately, sexual trauma is common for both women and men. This article helps to define what Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is and gives veterans and their families resources.
In this article Stephen W. Porges explains neuroception as the way our body determines whether a person or situation is safe even before we are consciously aware of any threat. He describes Polyvagal Theory and how the brain regulates both social and defensive behaviors. The article was published in the Zero to Three Journal May 2004.
This article by Summer Allen in "Greater Good Magazine", September 26, 2018, looks at how the positive feeling of "Awe" can make us healthier, happier, humble and more connected with people.
Serve and return interactions make things fun and build brain development in young children. Even adults can benefit from serve and return.
This resource from Zero to Three outlines ideas that must be considered in providing infant and early childhood consultation and Early childhood education regarding equity and power dynamics.
This free ebook written by Carolyn Mehlomakulu, LMFT, ATR has different art exercises for professionals to promote self-care and explore their growth. You must 'register' your name and email address to receive the link but are not obligated to continue to receive information. It is worth checking out and using for yourself or with clients.
The SAFE program through U of I Children’s Hospital. It stands for Suicidal Adolescent Family Empowerment . This is a website to help parents and caregivers whose children have thought about suicide and tried to hurt themselves. There are videos and a variety of resources.
This website examines what supports parents need "so every child has a chance to thrive".
To log into this resource go to the IA Children's Justice logo and click. The password is IAparentsToolkit2022. This is a resource for ALL parents and professionals who "are raising children affected by prenatal exposure to substances of abuse and for professionals who provide services to pregnant and parenting women and their children."
This video series on the Zero to Three website describes how everyday interactions between infants/toddlers and caregivers can strengthen the social emotional development and the attachment of young children.
Our nation is in a National Emergency regarding the mental health of our children and youth. This website, with several signature agencies including the Children’s Hospital Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry among others provide several resources and an advocacy toolkit.
Cultural Competency implies there is an end to our journey of understanding a culture while Cultural Humility places the emphasis on a life long journey and commitment to understanding and learning. This Jan 2019 article from the Online Journal on issue in Nursing 24(1) 1-10 does a nice job of exploring these issues.
This 7 minute video done by Michelle Stevenson and Brian Young, posted in the New York Times, are reflections with several Native Americans on what it means to them to be Native and their experiences.
This website examines Racial Health Injustices. It identifies the problem, explains the causes and offers solutions. Dr. Thomas La Veist, from Tulane University, and others have created a docufilm series and examine myths related to health injustice.
This 3 part video series with discussion questions from the University of Minnesota Extension offers wonderful insight and opportunity for small group reflection. The site states "Historical trauma is not just about what happened in the past. It's about what's still happening."
Developed in 2012, these Tenets are a set of ten strategies and tools to strengthen the commitment of individuals, organizations and system to embed diversity, inclusion and equity into their work.
Utilizando datos de la Encuesta del Pulso de los Hogares del Censo de EE. UU., HelpAdvisor.com identificó los estados con las mayores disparidades entre adultos blancos e hispanos en cuanto a necesidades de salud mental no atendidas. Los recursos que aparecen a continuación están diseñados para ayudar a los hispanoamericanos que necesitan servicios de salud mental."
This link provides dozens of Spanish-language governmental (federal and for every state), educational and other external resources about mental health and where to find help. This link is the English link.
This website offers a variety of information on types of trauma, treatment and practices, trauma informed-care and resources (in English and Spanish.
April 15, 2021 On Being podcast with Krista Tippett interviewing Resmaa Menakem, author of "My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies". He talks about how all of us carry the history of trauma in our bodies. The podcast 50 minutes long.
(requires enrollment and login) This online course provides an overview for juvenile justice staff on how to work towards creating a trauma-informed juvenile justice residential setting. This training includes four modules including trauma and delinquency; trauma’s impact on development; coping strategies; and vicarious trauma, organizational stress, and self-care.
Published by GoodTherapy.org, this article is a helpful overview for people considering treatment. Learning about the stages of healing can be distressing, motivating, upsetting, or uplifting. No matter how you feel, your reaction is not wrong. Acknowledging your emotional response to the stages of healing can allow you to harness your emotions’ energy and reach out to a trained therapist.
The Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress is sharing a chance for your voice to be heard. Researchers are currently investigating the use of a novel online survey methodology assessing childhood trauma history called the Childhood Attachment and Relational Trauma Screen (CARTS) in several different languages and cultures. You are invited to complete the Childhood Attachment and Relational Trauma Screen (CARTS) as a survey about your recollections of the quality of your relationships with your family members during childhood, and of relational traumatic experiences occurring during childhood. CARTS is "an innovative assessment tool designed to measure instances of child abuse as well as warmth, security and support within the family, thus providing a socio-ecological relational perspective."
Created in partnership with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the FBI, this brochure offers parents, caregivers, and family members information about child sexual abuse material (CSAM) exposure. (CSAM is commonly known as child pornography.) This brochure describes CSAM and why it can be traumatic, outlines common ways to deal with initial reactions to CSAM, how to report it, and provides ideas for keeping children safe online.
This infographic created by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers mental health providers information on understanding cultural responsiveness to racial trauma, why it matters, and what to do. This one-page graphic defines racial trauma and cultural responsiveness, shares the effects of racial trauma and discrimination, and offers insight into how racial trauma originated. It also includes information on what mental health providers can do to understand and acknowledge historical and racial trauma.
Talkspace has a mission to provide more people with convenient access to licensed therapists who can help those in need live a happier and healthier life. This article includes helpful plain-English descriptions of brain responses to trauma triggers, specifically veterans.
This short article was published in 2017 by The Mighty, a safe, supportive community for people facing health challenges and the people who care for them.
The 2020 Iowa ACEs report is now available! Read about the progress that’s been made over a decade to address health impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Iowa data challenges that still persist, and new opportunities to take action. We are proud to partner with Iowa ACEs 360 to support Iowans in healing and to build systems and communities that enable all children to thrive.
The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.
Facing History and Ourselves uses lessons of history
to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. Their curricular materials provide valuable links between current events and historical precedents. Useful for anyone interested in causes of intergenerational trauma.
Teaching Tolerance provides free resources (curriculum and professional development) to educators, administrators, counselors and other practitioners who work with children from kindergarten through high school, emphasizing social justice and anti-bias. Excellent resources for anyone interested in mitigating the effects of intergenerational trauma.
ArtForce Iowa shares research linking art and healing from trauma. Includes artist profiles, images and songs by youth artists ages 12-18 who use art and music to cope with ongoing upheaval and instability in their lives.
This resource from NCTSN provides trauma-informed school strategies in response to COVID-19. Assessing physical and emotional well-being of staff, creating a trauma informed learning environment, identifying traumatic stress, partnering with parents in a culturally sensitive manner and many other ideas/activities. Published in 2020
From NCTSN this tool "Provides guidance on responding to disaster, violence, or terrorism events using the Psychological First Aid intervention. This version gives school administrators, educators, and staff practical assistance to meet immediate needs and concerns, reduce distress, and foster adaptive coping in the wake of a disaster. The manual includes in-depth information about each of the eight core actions and accompanying handouts for administrators, school staff, educators, students, and parents and caregivers." Published in 2017
This article, by Harvey Deutschendorf, describes seven habits to prioritize self care at work. The top 3 are 'Be mindful of your stressors, learn to say ‘no,’ and set healthy boundaries'. This is a very good article. Self-care is important in any organization/workplace especially in these very stressful times.
Following the Pandemic Response Series with Ingrid Cockhren in June by Iowa ACEs 360, a learning guide was developed to help continue the learning about trauma and equity and to facilitate conversations in organizations and networks. The guide includes background on key topic areas, access to the webinar recordings, and discussion questions.
Helping Families cope with COVID-19 page is on the Florida State University Center for Child Stress & Health website. It has multiple resources for kids, parents, and professionals.
Chandra Ghosh Ippen wrote this wonderful children's book, activity sheets and parent guide to help families deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their family and community. Funding was through NCTSN. The book and materials are free to download.
This New York Times article Perri Klass, MD is a good reminder that while these are serious times and very disrupted, it is important that the adults "can help shape the way your children experience this and remember it. And you will. You’re the person they need."
Here are some tips from the CDC to help reduce anxiety. Remember that practicing trauma informed care is not to retraumatize both consumers and providers.
Episode 11 with Jen Alexander as the guest. As an experienced teacher, school counselor, and play therapist, Jen Alexander believes that we can make a big difference with kids – one relationship at a time, which is why she is a passionate leader in the movement to build trauma-sensitive schools. Jen loves helping others help kids and has done so in schools, as a volunteer for the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), and when facilitating her own trainings for educators. Her new book Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools: Your Guide to Creating Safe, Supportive Learning Environments for All Students is now available.
APSAC and the Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection of the New York Foundling are proud to present the APSAC & Foundling Educational Webinar Series. Join us for in-depth conversations with leading experts in the field of child maltreatment. See the full schedule of free 2020 webinars by clicking on title. For more information or questions about registration, contact the Fontana Center.
This article written by Tracy Skousen for Partners in Leadership, looks at the difference between two words we often use interchangeably but shouldn't. This article looks into ways of obtaining shared responsibility to help with team work and reducing burn out and toxic work environments.
This blog by Jennifer Gunn speaks about the myth around mindfulness for kids, the true purpose of mindfulness in school setting, and overviews the progress being seen in New York City Department of Education.
This blog post brought to you by Concordia University- Portland Room 241 Team discusses what secondary traumatic stress looks like, a short quiz for self assessment, and brief suggestions of what the individual can do about their secondary traumatic stress.
This 10 minute video shares how firefighters in California are struggling with the trauma of fires and PTSD symptoms. It talks about the importance of receiving help and self-care.
This article from the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin discusses where the term 'moral injury' comes from and how it might relate to first responders, especially Police Officers.
The newest topic for Sesame Street in Communities to help children with is Parental Addiction. Elmo talks with his dad about Karli's mom and why she had to go away. This website has links to many other topics and resources to use with kids and their families.
This short article in Experience Life is an excellent reminder of the importance of self-care and how to look at self-care as an individual need that looks different from person to person.
The Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (TLPI) Trauma-Sensitive Schools Descriptive Study has just been released.
"This two-year study by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) provides new evidence that an understanding of trauma sensitivity can lead to changes in practice and new ways of interacting with both students and with fellow staff members. In turn these new ways of thinking and changes in practice can serve as a foundation for school-wide culture change that enables students and their educators to feel safe and supported to learn and be successful."(from the TLPI website)
This info graphic from the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute demonstrates how organizations can take action to promote racial justice. It emphasizes the trauma informed care principles of: Connect, Protect, Respect, and Redirect.
Central Iowa ACEs 360 has worked with Dr. Amy Shriver of Blank Children's Hospital on the Pediatric Project, which began in 2016, to develop an online Trauma-Informed Pediatric Guide. This guide has information on education, assessment, resource & referral and climate & setting. It is an excellent resource.
The Spanish edition of webinar by Chandra Ghosh Ippen."Un seminar web gratuito sobre estrés y trauma. Los animalitos del libro "Una Vez Tuve Mucho Mucho Miedo" están aquí para compartir su historia y ayudar a otros a aprender sobre el estrés y el trauma. A través de la historia y la metáfora, este seminario web comparte reacciones comunes al estrés y comienza a hablar sobre formas en que podemos apoyar a niños y a familias quienes han experimentado trauma."
Chandra Ghosh Ippen wrote this webinar on the book stating this, "A free webinar about stress and trauma. The animals from the book "Once I Was Very Very Scared" are here to share their story and help others learn about stress and trauma. Through story and metaphor this webinar shares common reactions to stress and begins to talk about ways we can support healing and recovery."
Gladys Noll Alvarez LISW, Trauma Informed Care Project Coordinator for Orchard Place, provides a webinar for the Iowa Association of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Association on Child Parent Psychology. This is the archived recording of that presentation.
The Social Research Institute (SRI) has been working with Utah’s Department of Workforce Services (DWS)interviewing the DWS customers about their experiences, needs and attitudes. In 2012 they added the ACE questionnaire to the interview. They discovered that 45.8% of DWS costumers had an ACE does of 5 or higher. Utah's general population was 10%. This prompted a state wide response.
PBS will be airing a documentary series on ACE's. If you do not have this station at home, each episode is available to watch online after it has aired (https://www.tpt.org/whole-people/).
The Documentary Series Whole People airs Sunday nights on TPT MN at 7 p.m. (CST) beginning January 13 running through February 10, 2019.
The documentary series is the result of a three-year partnership between CentraCare and TPT MN.
Watch the Documentaries
Episode #1 (January 13th)
Episode #2 (January 20th)
Episode #3 (January 27th)
Episode #4 (February 3rd)
Episode #5 (February 10th)
The Buncombe ACE Learning Collaborative has gathered several tools and short videos demonstrating how to build resilience. These are excellent resources and the website is a good resource.
"This Working Paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child explains the science behind motivation–the “wanting” system and the “liking” system–as well as how those systems develop, and how that development can be disrupted. It also dives into the implications of the science for parents, caregivers, and teachers, as well as policy and public systems." Developing Child
Center for Health Care Strategies, CHCS, developed with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the resource center to provide a one-stop information hub for health care organizations interested in implementing a trauma-informed approach to care.
This website explains what EMDR therapy is and how it can be used to treat addictions.
The Traumatic Stress Institute (TSI) of Klingberg Family Centers promotes excellence in trauma-informed services both within Klingberg and to organizations nationally and internationally who treat clients with histories of psychological trauma and attachment disruptions.
Science Daily, June 6, 2018, reports that "in one of the first studies to examine the effect of both socioeconomic status and neighborhoods on children's health, researchers found that living in higher opportunity neighborhoods may protect children from some of the negative health impacts associated with growing up poor"
Reny Fuentas of Sonoma County Aces Connection community, explains how the study "Stress-related hormone cortisol lowers significantly after just 45 minutes of art creation" applies their work and how the Nurse Practitioner Program uses art to soothe nervous systems from past traumas.
This study published in Art Therapy Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 33:2 looks at the impact of visual art making on the cortisol levels of 39 healthy adults.
"Research and best practices are showing promise in trauma assessments and multi-generational supports in the pediatric and family practice health care. This project seeks to develop a health sector strategy in the pediatric and family practice field for clinic-based trauma-informed practices."( from the introduction to the Pediatric Guide)
Jane Morrow, ED of Smart Start of New Hanover County, and Julie Ozier, Clinical Services & Forensic Interview Supervisor of Carousel Center discuss the impact of ACEs and some interventions their community is doing to build resilience. The interview is 50 minutes long.
In the late afternoon on Feb. 26, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H. Res. 443, a resolution recognizing the importance and effectiveness of trauma-informed care and calling for a national trauma awareness month and trauma-informed awareness day.
In this blog post on ACEs Connection, Dr. Jim Walters and educator in the St. Louis area offers his 3 step process on incorporating trauma informed care into school-wide practices which are already in place.
An article in Curbed discuses a nationwide effort funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that kicked off this past fall, Raising Places is giving six different communities $60,000 each, to help develop programs that support healthy childhoods. This illustrates all four elements of Trauma Informed Care on a systems level: Connect (Relationships), Protect (Safety & Trustworthiness), Respect (Choice & Collaboration), and Redirect (Skill Building & Competence).
Webinar series developed by NCTSN to help clinicians, counselors and other helpers to deal with the complex problems that traumatized children and families encounter. The therapist are real, the families are actors in these segments.
The consequences of adversity can last a lifetime -- but they don’t have to. Children and communities can heal if the right supports are in place -- at home, in the community, at school, and in the doctor’s office. This company's goal is to support leading thinkers across clinical and community settings to design, test and scale the most effective ways to address childhood trauma.
"Treating employees respectfully helped Campbell Soup recover from a low point in 2001, write Doug Conant, former Campbell CEO, and Christine Porath. By publicly valuing employees under the principle of civility and setting clear relationship expectations, the company started regaining employees' trust." This is another example of a for profit business applying the TIC Principles without calling it TIC.
Building a strong corporate reputation can mean reduced turnover and increased valuation and revenue, writes Denise Lee Yohn. She defines reputation as "the collective assessments of a corporation's past actions and the ability of the company to deliver future results." While the article doesn't say trauma informed care, the principles of TIC (Connect, Protect, Respect, Teach/Reinforce)are being applied to a for profit businesses.
Sen. Dave Marsden of Virginia writes about the difficulties of changing a system but also the rewards of that change by using Restorative Justice. He says "Restorative justice used in this way brings county agencies, nonprofits and families together in responding to unacceptable criminal behavior in ways that improve a child’s opportunity for a better life outcome. Diversion gets services to kids quickly and sends a positive message to the child that he is not inherently bad but has made a mistake that can be rectified in ways that meet the goals of public safety, education and rehabilitation."
Sesame Street has developed videos and resources for providers and caregivers to use with children who are experiencing "big feelings", reminding us that we are not alone.
Sally Abrahms article on the Nextavenue website describes the importance of grandparents and other relatives in caring for children who have been exposed to trauma.
An article in the Huffington Post reports on research out of Germany suggest that the production of visual art helps the functionality of the brain and may increase the psychological resilience.
Brown Bag Webinar Series:
Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities is pleased to announce a series of webinars featuring our 11 national advisors. In each of these short 45-minute sessions, one of our advisors will share some of their expertise and engage in dialogue with you on key strategies for creating just, healthy and resilient communities.
This article from the Denver Post describes a new approach to the chronically homeless in Denver, Colorado. This trauma informed designed apartment building will soon house individuals who have lived on the streets for years. It is bright, has a safe courtyard and nothing that looks like a "dark alley or shadowy stairwell."
A Guide to Workplace Bullying (from UK) which provides very helpful advice and information for people who may have experienced or continue to experience bullying or discrimination at work.
This toolkit is from the Center for Disability Services a member of the group “Healthy Environments And Relationships That Support” (HEARTS) Initiative, of New York State’s Greater Capital Region. "Research has shown that people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) are at significantly more risk of abuse and neglect than is the general population. Chapter 1 offers information and a guide for direct support professionals to enhance their wellness and resiliency. Chapter 2 provides background information as to the problem of ACEs and the evidence that the problem is magnified further in the field of IDD. Chapter 3 provides guidance for trauma informed behavioral planning. Chapter 4 is geared at offering direction for planning for agency administrators, quality assurance staff, and interested others."
This ACEs connection blog references Anthony Breznican's tribute to Mr. Rogers on PBS News Friday May 26th. Remember to look for the helpers in troubling times, build community.
NCTSN has provided an excellent resource to discuss complex trauma, provide activities and additional resources.
"When child welfare systems infuse trauma-informed care into everything they do, kids experience fewer placements and fare better in foster care, according to new Casey-funded research." Annie E. Casey Foundation 4-20-17.
The Attachment Trauma Center Institute, LLC (ATCI) provides quality resources, training, and consultation in the field of trauma and attachment. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP, Cathy Schweitzer, MS, LIMHP and Stefanie Armstrong, MS, LIMHP are co-founders of The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska and the ATCI. They are national and international presenters and are certified EMDR consultants. They have developed an EMDR and family therapy integrative model for effective treatment of attachment trauma in children and have co-authored a clinician treatment manual and accompanying parent guide for raising traumatized children.
The Spring IMPACT reviews where it all started and the collaborative efforts to succeed in providing trauma informed resources to individuals.
The alternative high school in Des Moines is using grant money to become a safer place for students who are experiencing trauma at home. The money will help make staff more aware of how troubles outside the class are linked to behavior inside. Click on the title to read more.
What does resiliency really mean? This site goes into the many aspects of resiliency and how it can be put into practice.
This guide from the Children's Safety Network divides selected resources into seven main sections: (1) Organizations, (2) Policy and Legislation, (3) Evidence-Based Practices, (4) Program Planning, (5) Campaigns, (6) Data and Research, and (7) Resources and Publications.
A publication from NCTSN on the following topics: How foster parents enhance data on the impact of trauma on children and adolescents, what trauma patterns are emerging from data, update on Chaddock's CDS efforts, data on refugee experience, and site pilots of CIMI.
This site helps parents become trauma informed so that they can better help their children heal.
This blog talks about how a school psychologist, Dr. Allen Mendler uses 2 x 10 method to connect with students. "Take 2 minutes a day for 10 consecutive days to engage a student in a personal conversation".
The Trauma-Informed Organizational Toolkit, a product from AIR’s National Center on Family Homelessness, gives programs a roadmap for becoming trauma-informed. The toolkit offers concrete guidelines so that organizations can assess if they are responding appropriately to the needs of families who have experienced traumatic stress
The mental health of infant and children is an important area. This website has many resources available to promote the growth and development of children/families and the professionals who work with them
Governor Rauner has signed the bill on January 20 which goes into effect June 1 of this year.
This law will require the Department of Public Health to develop regulations to include age-appropriate social and emotional screenings along with the other health exams such as dental and eye to all school age children in the state.
This article and pod cast pair tell the story about how one school changed the way they did things to help kids engage in studies by becoming a Trauma Informed School.
Lifelong health is determined by more than just our genes: experiences at sensitive periods of development change the brain in ways that increase or decrease risk for later physical and mental illness, including addiction. That finding is the premise of the Brain Story, which puts scientific concepts into a narrative that is salient to both expert and non-expert audiences. The Brain Story synthesizes decades of research and reflects a body of knowledge that experts agree is useful for policy makers and citizens to understand.
The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative has developed two online courses to make Brain Story science available to professionals and the public. One course is available now. The second, more basic course will be available in 2017. This course is 30 hours of instructional time from 30 leading experts in neurobiology and mental health. It is absolutely FREE to participants!
This link will connect to the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors webpage which is housing the webinar series from NCTIC. SAMHSA’s National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC) hosted a series of three 75-minute webinars in September 2014 that introduced key concepts in NCTIC’s day-long Trauma-Informed Peer Support (TIPS) training:"Trauma and its impact/ Cultural Considerations", "Peer support basics /Trauma-informed practices, and "Applying Trauma-Informed Practices to Peer Support". The primary audience are people who provide peer support - including people working as peer specialists or in similar roles, people involved in independent peer support groups, and people working in or receiving services from peer-run programs. The series is also of interest to administrators, clinicians, and supervisors in organizations that employ peer specialists and people in similar roles, or those interested in incorporating trauma-informed peer support into their programs
This article from Social Justice Solutions written by Anndee Hochman, shows how different business leaders have connected ACEs to their business success and what they have done to help build resiliency in their employees.
This quick read article by Karen Zgoda, Pat Shelly, and Shelley Hitzel dives into how macro level Social Work policy can help protect service recipients and service providers at the same time.
Vroom was developed by a group of dedicated scientists, community leaders and trusted brands, with input from community organizations and families like yours. Together, we're providing parents and caregivers with ways to boost early learning. Vroom turns shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bathtime, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children's growing minds.
The Central Iowa ACEs 360 Coalition has released a new report examining three years of Iowa data on childhood trauma and the link to poor adult health, mental health and health-risk behaviors. This new report provides a broader picture of how ACEs impact Iowa adults across the state, reveals how ACEs is likely impacting Iowa youth at similar rates, and showcases emerging response strategies in Iowa communities.
In April, the World Health Organization released a groundbreaking study that established a definitive link between mental health and economic productivity. The findings were both depressing and hopeful. On the downside, depression and anxiety disorders cost the world nearly U.S. $1 trillion annually . On the upside, every dollar invested in treating those disorders leads to a return of $4 in terms of the ability to work and thus contribute to the economy.
From NCTSN: "It is a priority to strengthen the professional systems to support LGBTQ youth after sexual assault and other traumas that these youth commonly experience. This 13-minute video features five LGBTQ youth who discuss details of their own trauma experiences related to their respective LGBTQ identities, how they gained resilience, and how professionals helped them in this regard"
This article is found in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 4:1, 34-51. The abstract states, "The Attachment, Self Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Framework is a theoretically grounded, evidence-informed, promising practice used to treat complex trauma in children and adolescents. This article introduces the ARC model and describes its application with young children of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds involved in the child protection system due to maltreatment. Examination of the clinical application of the ARC model with this population underscores the importance of grounding child complex trauma treatment in the caregiving system. Strategies for successful clinical intervention are identified, with attention devoted to cultural and systemic resources to advance the treatment process. This article presents preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the ARC model derived from program evaluation conducted at a community-based clinic."
An article/blog on ACEs Connection which starts with a quote from Viktor Frabkl written by Vic Compher. It describes the need for agencies to provide a space for employees to take care of themselves and gives examples of how some agencies are doing this.
Beyond ACEs: Building Hope & Resiliency in Iowa is the Executive Summary of the current ACEs data gathered in Iowa during 2012-2014. funding was provided by Mid Iowa Health Foundation and United Way of Central Iowa.
: Young children face new challenges at every age and stage—that's why it's so important to help them build the skills they need to become resilient. With self-confidence and the ability to express themselves, little ones will be able to handle whatever may come their way…and will just keep getting stronger.
This link will take you to the NCTSN's refugee trauma web page. There are resources on what trauma core stressors are; resources for assessment and mental health issues, and guidance materials for various disciplines like schools, mental health, and primary care. If you are working with refugees this site will be beneficial for you to explore.
Child Welfare Information Gateway has recently released an issue brief, Developing a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System, "that summaries the effects of trauma on children and discusses some of the primary areas of consideration in that process, including workforce development, screening and assessment, data systems, evidence-based and evidence informed treatments, and funding."
The University of Buffalo School of Social Work has a wonderful resource for their students and community. It gives helpful ways to look at self care, has assessments, techniques and other resources.
This short article on the Attachment Network Inc. website helps parents think about what to tell teachers about their kids in order to help create a trauma sensitive school.
Richard G. Dudley, Jr., MD summarizes" the current understanding of the effects of ongoing trauma on young children, how these effects impair adolescent and young adult functioning, and the possible implications of this for policing." This is the first in a series of papers.
This article talks about studies have linked empathy with greater client satisfaction, better outcomes, reduced physician burn out and fewer malpractice claims.
This article discusses alternatives used in California schools as alternatives to suspensions which are positively increasing student behavior and academic performances.
This 15 minute Ted Talk explains that childhood trauma isn’t something you just get over as you grow up. Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain. This unfolds across a lifetime, to the point where those who’ve experienced high levels of trauma are at triple the risk for heart disease and lung cancer.
This article in Science Digest discusses the results of a study from the December issue of the journal Health Affairs. It states "nearly half of all children in the United States are exposed to at least one social or family experience that can lead to traumatic stress and impact their healthy development.
A new study surveyed pediatric trauma nurses, revealing that they are knowledgeable about practicing trauma-informed care, but need additional training to help families cope after a child's injury. This link is to Science Digest with a review of the study.
Check out this organization in Tennessee and all of the great work they are doing with Trauma Informed Care. You can download free resources and they include contact information for further training opportunities.
This article describes how quiet time in middle and high schools in the San Francisco area has calmed the student body, reduced suspensions and increased attendance. Quiet time, mediation or mindfulness is a trauma informed intervention/practice which can be used successfully in the school system
This blog on ACES Connection describes US Sen. Heitkamp's experience after leaving a briefing on childhood trauma in Indian country. The blog describes important steps in the Indian school district and other programs to deal with and reduce trauma.
This link takes you to Science Daily website on the study published in the December issue of the journal Health Affairs.
This link to the Center on the Developing Child "is a multi-part series of journalistic articles planned and commissioned by the Center, examines how policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in the field are re-thinking services for children and families based on the science of early childhood development and an understanding of the consequences of adverse early experiences and toxic stress".
The National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at Georgetown University and the JBS International, including NCTSN members, have created a comprehensive web-based, video-enhanced resource tool: Trauma Informed Care: Perspectives and Resources. This tool—comprised of issue briefs, video interviews, and resource lists—offers guidance and resources to help child-serving systems and provider organizations become more trauma in-formed.
RSAT Training Tool: Trauma Informed Approaches in Correctional Settings. To increase the knowledge across disciplines of the relationship between substance abuse and trauma in jails, prisons, and aftercare settings. Nikki Miller, M.S 2011
The Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative’s (TLPI) mission is to ensure that children traumatized by exposure to family violence and other adverse childhood experiences succeed in school. This website is designed to help schools become trauma sensitive and to give resources to schools in this endeavor.
Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.
The NCTSN Military and Veteran Families Program proudly announces the recently updated Military and Veteran Families and Children webpage. On this website, you can access products and resources
"There's no Such Thing as a Bad Kid in these Spokane, WA elementary schools". An article on the ACES TOO HIGH website on how Spokane, WA has changed its discipline policy to deal with the impact of trauma on student's lives.
An interactive website for health care providers to obtain information on how to become a trauma informed pediatrician. It provides tools, case illustrations and answers to questions.
New Webpages for Parents and Caregivers!
Parents and caregivers can play an important role in helping children and teenagers recover from traumatic events. The NCTSN is pleased to launch the redesign of our
ACES Too High news lifts up the findings in the Institute of Medicine report New Directions In Child Abuse and Neglect Research and how the Stil Face Experiement is still making an impact. This link has a copy of the still face experiment video which is 2 minutes long.
The Central Iowa ACEs Steering Committee's website with what is happening in Iowa around the ACE study.
This link will take school personnel and educators to a variety of resources designed specificaly for use in schools regarding trauma and trauma informed care.
Strengthening Families is a framework developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) to prevent child abuse and neglect by building five protective factors.
Article about "Almost half the nation’s children have experienced at least one or more types of serious childhood trauma, according to a new survey on adverse childhood experiences by the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH)."
The Attorney General's national Task Force Report on Children Exposed to Violence.
Stress balls can be a very useful tool for staff and consumers to relieve some tension. Making a stress ball can help focus attention and help with a sense of accomplishment. These are simple instructions on how to make a stress ball. There is a video at the end with another method.
The Juvenile Justice Resource Hub is a new comprehensive source of information on cutting-edge juvenile justice issues and reform trends. The content of this website is being developed in phases, so place the link in favorites and check back regularly for new material. It was created in partnership between the National Juvenile Justice Network, MacArthur Foundation, and Juvenile Justice Information Exchange.
Website Link to Ace Study.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Website with Bruce Perry Articles through Scholastic.
Child Trauma Academy (Dr. Bruce Perry).
Tools to help with secondary stress.
A self administered test for individuals to assess their compassion fatigue.
A descriptive link about the adverse Childhood Experience Study.