Taking a Community Approach to Toxic Stress: Responding to the Pandemic and Moving from Knowledge to Action

Washtenaw Area Council for Children is presenting a Two-Part Virtual Annual Conference to take place on September 18th and October 2nd, from 9:30-11am on each day. The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) Senior Policy Associates, Alexandra Citrin and Shadi Houshyar, will lead the sessions. CSSP has developed a community-wide approach to addressing toxic stress which provides a framework for a comprehensive community approach to toxic stress, nested within the broader context of working toward healthy development and well-being of children.

The objectives of the first session are to ensure that participants (1) gain a greater understanding of the root causes of toxic stress for children and families as well as opportunities to align systems including early childhood, child health and child welfare to support children and families, and learn about CSSP’s framework for a community-wide approach to addressing toxic stress, actionable strategies and recommendations for addressing toxic stress, and examples of approaches currently being implemented in other communities; (2) understand the impacts of the current pandemic on children and families, and in particular, its disproportionate toll on children and families of color AND the root historic, systemic and institutional inequities in child and family serving systems and in society that are drivers for this; and (3) introduce equity tools and highlight how these tools can help us identify and develop responses to address inequities in systems and institutions that contribute to toxic stress for children and families.

The objectives of the second session are to provide (1) an opportunity for participants to hear from a community panel about approaches to preventing and mitigating toxic stress currently underway around the state; and (2) work in smaller groups to talk through application of the equity tools introduced on day one and discuss action items for addressing toxic stress, including the root causes, within their communities.

Sponsorship for this event includes the University of Michigan - Michigan Medicine Social Work Department and the Michigan Children's Trust Fund

To Register: https://washtenawchildren.netw...nual-conference-2020

(Social Work Clock Hours Pending)