Blog

Written by: Catherine Dennis M.S., Ed.S | Early Childhood Specialist Trauma informed practice, ACES and resilience have been the focus of educators the last few years. The idea that trauma was something that happened in the early years and understanding that impact on learning in the long term. But the pause of this past year for all children has delivered another layer to this ever-evolving topic. Now, it doesn't really matter what the situation was at home, collectively, trauma was...

Some of you may have heard my “call to action” story while I was at a WA state conference on ACEs with Dr. Rob Anda in Winthrop, WA on October 3, 2007 (yes, I remember the date!). Although I had already been active in using the ACE Study locally, in a research project at our Juvenile Justice Center (JJC), it was Dr. Anda looking straight at me (or so it felt), pointing his finger at me (at least I thought he was) and saying, “Go home and make something happen!” I almost saluted, reacting to...

Reopening schools/organizations/non-profits/governments/businesses come fall will not be easy. Some take-away strategies for successful reopenings are addressed in a webinar June 19th at noon (EST). Powerpoints available after attendance to serve a a go-forward guide. Join us. Sponsored by DKG International (altho donations graciously accepted). While the focus is educational settings, the import is broader. Here is link to register; it is also embedded in the flyer. See you there I hope. ...

I'm reposting (below) what Mathew Portell has been sharing on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn about his live podcast tonight. I'm excited to be his guest talking about Parenting with ACEs, as well as about grief, loss, healing, and living with cancer. We will be live on Facebook at 4p.m. PST (6p.m. CST, 7p.m. EST). Please join us. Paradigm Shift Education Trauma Informed Educators Network Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast Mathew Portell Cissy White supports individuals and...

From Tennessee Office of Education, April 29, 2021 Today, the Tennessee Department of Education is pleased to announce 176 schools were selected for the second cohort of trauma-informed schools in Tennessee. This new cohort more than doubles the original 73 schools from the first trauma-informed schools cohort which launched in 2018-19. In Tennessee, the model trauma-informed school designation recognizes schools for their emphasis on implementing trauma-informed strategies to provide...

Join Melissa McPheeters of Rise to Resilience with special guest and parent, Janise Cross, for this interactive workshop! Click here to register! Schedule: During this 3-hour interactive workshop, Melissa and Janise will facilitate a presentation, time for personal reflection, and voluntary activities to solidify learning and growth among participants. Two fifteen minute breaks are provided. There is no expectation that you have your camera to participate. We encourage you to show up in...

A collaboration between UCSF HEARTS and ETR, the Institute will provide ongoing virtual training, consultation, and technical assistance to participating school teams. Participants of the two-year HEARTS Institute will gain the knowledge and skills to implement trauma-informed practices, procedures, and policies that are tailored to their local school communities.

Join the movement of understanding mental health through a new lens by participating in these upcoming live discussions. Together, we can rewrite the story of mental health and well-being. Register at https://lamaidaproject.org/acesaware/

Deciding to leave any job can be hard, but for teachers, exiting the classroom can be downright heartbreaking. Teaching is, in its essence, about relationships—understanding students’ needs, fostering their passions, figuring out what makes them tick. To give up that work, for many, would be a deep loss. And yet about 8 percent of teachers leave the profession every year, federal data have long shown. Younger teachers, and those early in their careers, are among the most likely to leave...

By Carolyn Jones, EdSource, April 29, 2021 To help students readjust to life after the pandemic, schools should use their Covid-relief funding windfall to imbue mental health, equity and relationships into every aspect of the school day, according to a sweeping new report released Thursday. “This is the biggest infusion of money into schools that many of us will see in our lifetimes. We’re hoping educators take advantage of this moment to not go back to the way we were,” said Christopher J.

The Rise to Resilience May workshop registration is now available! Our topic is Trauma-Informed Care for School Leaders. In this workshop, learn how to integrate practices of trauma-informed care within policy and practice as school leaders. Click here to register! You can join the Rise to Resilience Community Group on Facebook and help select future topics! Follow the page on Facebook and Instagram . Image Description: A blue-green background with flowers and leaves in a border on the right...

By Laura Reiley, The Washington Post, April 20, 2021 The United States Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday it would extend universal free lunch through the 2021-2022 school year, in an effort to reach more of the estimated 12 million youths experiencing food insecurity. In March, the USDA said these waivers, which made school meals more flexible to administer, would be extended only to Sept. 30, leaving schools and families uncertain about what next school year might look like. Child...