Healing-Centered Engagement

Learn more about a new pilot program to help NJ schools address adversity and trauma

NJPSA/FEA invites all public school superintendents, school and teacher leaders, and family/community organizations to attend an Information Session on February 4 to learn about an exciting and innovative initiative. In partnership with over 100 education and community leaders across the state, the NJPSA/FEA-led team has researched and designed a school framework to address adult and student Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma through a Healing-Centered Engagement Model.

ACEs are stressful or traumatic events which affect children’s brain architecture and can have negative, lifelong effects on health and well-being. Across New Jersey, more than 40% of children have experienced at least one ACE and nearly one in five children have faced multiple ACEs. Students experiencing multiple ACEs are at higher risk of poor school attendance, behavioral issues, and failure to meet grade-level standards in mathematics, reading, or writing

Vision for Healing-Centered Engagement in NJ Schools

• Educators use strengths-based approaches to respond to stressors and support healing from trauma
• Improved coordination with existing social emotional supports and community resources and programs

Selected Offerings for Pilot Schools

• Train trusted messengers to serve as local champions for the work
• Offer training and coaching for administrators, teachers and staff
• Offer Mental Health First Aid instructor training to selected nurses, counselors and staff at each site
• Provide complementary opportunities for parent training and engagement
• Integrate with existing resources, such as School Climate Teams, Preschool Intervention and Referral Teams (PIRTs), Resiliency Teams, and Intervention & Referral Services
• Offer recommendations for social support and referrals for mental health services as needed
• Evaluate the impact of the pilot initiative

Join us on February 4, 2021 to learn about a new 25-school pilot initiative to implement this Model through the remaining months of the 2020-2021 school year. The pilot will offer training on ACEs, trauma, healing-centered approaches and Mental Health First Aid to a diverse cohort of 25 schools, reaching teachers, administrators, staff and families across regions and grade-levels. All aspects of the pilot initiative, including training and coaching, will be provided free-of-charge as a result of the generosity of the listed organizations.

Both free sessions will include the same content.

9AM - 10:30AM Session Registration

https://zoom.us/meeting/regist...m8Uj8XVD9qxHfJB86MbG

3PM - 4:30PM Session Registration

https://zoom.us/meeting/regist...A9GFReav9GWigIIhmGBC

Please direct any questions to Dr. Mary Reece, Project Director, at mreece@njpsa.org