Blog

Truth commissions have become a common means through which societies address histories of violence and repression. Some have suggested that they could be useful in promoting racial reconciliation in the United States. Usually, truth commissions are established during transitions to peace and/or democracy, such as 1990s South Africa. Increasingly, though, truth commissions are being established years after transitions. This talk will offer a critical perspective on what such a body might...

Bill Meyer – “Three Breaths and Begin: The Place and Potential for Meditation in the 21st Century Classroom” Thursday, November 15 at 6 p.m. (Sturgis Hall) *In partnership with Arkansas Reading Association While the power of mindfulness and meditation have become well-known in the culture at large, their use in education is just beginning. But teachers who incorporate moments of stillness, breath awareness, and calming images know how potent these practices are for creating focus and...

Thursday, November 1 at 6 p.m. (Ron Robinson Theater) *In partnership with Arkansas Education Association Arkansas’s 2019 Teacher of the Year Stacey James McAdoo’s Rozzell Lecture will highlight her award-winning activities in the classroom, sharing her philosophy of teaching through art to engage students and help them find their passion. McAdoo will share the stage with some of her students for a poetry performance. McAdoo is a writer, educator, and an advocate of literacy. She has...

2018 National ACEs Conference Highlights Daphne Gaulden, Dr. Chad Rodgers and I attended the 2018 National ACEs conference and pediatric symposium last week in San Francisco. Hosted by Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris' Center for Youth Wellness and ACEs Connection, the event was an opportunity to hear the latest about ACEs screening in pediatric practices and ACEs/resilience work around the country in various sectors. This week, I wanted to share thoughts from the closing keynote by Steve Gross,...

Resilience Tools for Adults Most experts in the field of ACEs and resilience will tell you that it's critical to take a two- and sometimes three-generational approach when working to prevent and address ACEs: children don't live in a vacuum, and their adult family members more often than not had similar experiences during childhood. Also, those of us working with children and families affected by adversity and trauma need to ensure we have our own stores of resilience. The Devereux Center...

A Dr. Phil episode featuring a North Little Rock police officer is set to air next week. Officer Tommy Norman wrote on social media that the show, in which a panel of experts examined the topics of white privilege and microaggression, will air Thursday. Norman flew to Los Angeles last month to film, t he Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported. He was included in the show because of his work in the central Arkansas community, he said, adding that he was there representing his Mission...

The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) has received a grant award totaling $1,902,095 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant is for a five-year project, entitled “Primary Care Training and Enhancement: Training Primary Care Champions,” and will train at least 20 health care professionals in leadership, team-based health care, practice transformation to value-based care and expanded use of trauma-informed...

Subgroups Meet Oct. 10 The ACEs workgroup's policy, education/training and data subgroups will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 10 at AFMC, 1020 W. 4th St., #300, Little Rock. All are welcome to join a subgroup. If you plan on attending in person, please respond to this email to let me know so that we can expedite the sign-in process when you arrive. If you would like to attend via webinar/conference call, let me know so that I can get you the login/call-in information. The next general workgroup meeting...

Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam this week released a report highlighting eight years of progress by the state to improve the lives of children and families. Prioritizing Tennessee’s Children: Our Promise to Future Generations reflects an early commitment by Governor Bill Haslam’s administration to make the health and success of all Tennessee children a state priority. In conjunction with Governor Haslam’s Children’s Cabinet and Deputy Governor Jim Henry, First Lady Haslam set out to...

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families recently released the third in a series of data snapshots illustrating the barriers to opportunity experienced by black men and boys in Arkansas. The latest snapshot focuses on education and makes policy recommendations to improve educational outcomes. The first two snapshots delved into family economic security and health. Part I -- Family Economic Security Part II -- Health Part III -- Education

Dr. Alan Mease, medical director for child and adolescent health at the Arkansas Department of Health, participated on a panel that explored the role of state policy as it relates to children’s health and well-being at the National Council of State Legislatures’ legislative summit, held July 30 – Aug. 2 in Los Angeles. Dr. Mease presented about ACEs and resilience, as well as legislative efforts in states to address ACEs. His presentation included information developed by the UA-Little Rock...

Tulane child psychiatry professor Dr. Stacy Drury will receive the 2018 Norbert and Charlotte Rieger Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement in October at the AACAP’s 65th Annual Meeting in Seattle. Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano.