What do you do, and what does your organization do?
Gwendolyn is the director of a new parenting initiative administered by Porter-Leath with the help of two great partners, Knowledge Quest, a local non-profit, and Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women. Porter-Leath is a Memphis non-profit that serves children and families through a variety of programs including early childhood and home visitation, residential services, foster and adoptive care, and Head Start. In January, the ACE Center Task Force will be opening two pilot parenting sites—one in a hospital and one in a neighborhood. Gwendolyn explains, “We know the long term effects of ACE, but what do we do about it?” and suggests that these pilot parenting sites are a solution. These sites target no specific group, they are universal, and aim for preemptive care. “Everyone is welcome no matter what your race, zip code or economic status may be. And we want you to come the first time you see an issue in the home.” Their goal is to make the sites warm, welcoming places were parents feel comfortable seeking parenting advice or participating in groups sessions. In preparation for the sites opening in January, this July the ACE Center Task Force is conducting a Shelby County ACEs Survey, similar to the one recently conducted in Philadelphia.
When did you learn about ACEs, and how did that change your work?
The Urban Childhood Institute brought Robin Karr-Morse and Vincent Fellittt to Memphis, they spoke to a group of community leaders about ACE and its long term effects. This meeting resulted in the collaboration between three local organizations, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, Knowledge Quest and Porter-Leath. The partnership agreed on three important steps; (1) form an ACE task force, (2) conduct a countywide ACE survey and (3) open two supportive parenting centers
How would you like to see trauma-informed practices shape your field?
Gwendolyn would like to see trauma-informed practices shape how professionals interact with their clients and the public. Professionals need to realize that trauma can affect everyone, including the professional themselves, so they must learn to deal with their own triggers as well. Being trauma-informed also means that professionals must make their clients feel comfortable, so that they come in the first time the have crisis, rather than adapting to crisis.
How do you hope to contribute to and gain from ACEs Connection?
Gwendolyn had already signed up for ACEs Connection before meeting with the Philadelphia Task Force and learning more about their ACEs Survey. But after that meeting she began to reach out to more people on ACEs Connection, including Jane Stevens, Elizabeth Prewitt, and Leslie Lieberman. These connections have helped her learn more about the Sanctuary Model and the Multiplying Connection Initiative in Philadelphia. She also sees it as a great place to ask questions and learn about what other cities are doing. Gwendolyn has even asked the executive committee of the ACE Center Task Force to join ACEs Connection!
If you would like to get in touch with Gwendolyn Price and find out more about the ACE Center Task Force you can do so here.
Member profiles do not represent the views of ACEs Connection or its staff. If you are interested in learning more about a member's approach or experience, please add your thoughts in the comments below.
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