Tagged With "Bay Area"
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9 New Communities Join ACEs Connection
ACEs Connection Hawai'i Hawai'i is a place of natural beauty, multicultural heritages and practicing cultural arts that provides wellness and healing. However, cultural, historical & generational trauma has lead to an imbalance in our ahupua'a or ecosystem. Join us as we educate, empower & celebrate wellness and resilience building in our communities using trauma and culture aware strategies. Mahalo Community Manager: @Daniel Goya Northeast Region Hawaii Carey's
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A big problem for our future – 40% of children lack secure attachment
Posted on October 23, 2014 by Linda Jacobs Many infants who live in a stressed single-parent home face attachment issues. The single parent, which could be a mom or a dad, might be in a state of shock and barely surviving. They take...
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A Faith Based Organizations Paragraph on the New Wikipedia Site
I have just added new content in the Forum area on this topic. Those interested in improving the Faith-based Organizations paragraph on the Wikipedia site, please connect with me. Better yet, please comment on that Forum post....
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A Florida ACEs Tour
RADICAL GRACE – WHAT I LET GOD SEE AND ACCEPT IN ME ALSO BECOMES WHAT I CAN SEE AND ACCEPT IN MYSELF. AND EVEN MORE, IT BECOMES THAT WHEREBY I SEE EVERYTHING ELSE. ~ RICHARD ROHR For the past three months, I’ve been driving through various parts of Florida witnessing events and gatherings of communities committed to creating safe, loving, trauma informed, and trauma healing spaces. On Friday February 22nd, I was in Tarpon Springs, attending the monthly gathering of Robin Saeger’s...
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A New Documentary About Breaking the Cycle of Trauma is Launching This Fall!
We are thrilled to announce the premiere of Wrestling Ghosts , a documentary about breaking the cycle of trauma, at the LA Film festival on Sept. 27th. “Incredible. Haunting and strange and beautiful and incredibly moving.” -Dan Cogan, Founder Impact Partners Wrestling Ghosts follows the epic inner journey of Kim, a young mother who, over two heartbreaking and inspiring years, battles the traumas from her past in order to create a new present and future for her and her family. In this...
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An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
My 45-minute Understanding ACES teaching was delivered on Sunday to a church in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This will be followed by a special weekly series that addresses the Christian/biblical solution to the many spiritual risk factors that stem from early life trauma.
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Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) launches new grassroots initiative to engage and educate Congress
CTIPP (Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice) today announced the launch of the National Trauma Campaign , calling for federal action to prevent and address childhood trauma and build resilience through educating and engaging Congress. Its widely circulated communication invited people from around the country to join the new grassroots initiative. The campaign provides ways for everyone to get involved by joining the effort, becoming a Local Liaison to take the lead in every state...
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Can kids in single parent homes become successful contributing adults to society when they grow up?
There are a lot of negative statistics about children in divorced homes. While these stats may be true, they may lead you to conclude that the children who come from these homes are set up for failure. It doesn’t have to be that...
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Empowered To Connect - worth forwarding
As a parent of 4 young children and career education professionals working in special education - my wife and I embarked on an "adoption journey" through a number of events several years ago. In addition to reading books, talking with other adoptive...
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Finding healing after trauma: Elizabeth Smart (courtesy of Goalcast)
One of the most common questions I get from the trauma-affected children I serve is, "Why did God allow [insert really awful, tragic experience] to happen to me?" I imagine it's a question that most pastors, ministers, chaplains, and those Christians who share their faith with others face. It's fundamentally a relational question, not a theological one... and that's important to remember. The question is seeking the reason why a God who is Love could allow something that is experienced as...
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Five things your congregation can do to support criminal justice reform [afsc.org]
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world, with over 2.4 million people currently behind bars. Poor people and people of color are incarcerated at vastly disproportionate rates. Many prisoners are held in solitary confinement or denied adequate medical care and educational opportunities, and few resources are invested in reentry or community programs. AFSC works to end mass incarceration, improve conditions for people who are in prison, stop prison...
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Personal stories from witnesses, U.S. representatives provided an emotional wallop to House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on childhood trauma
Room erupts in applause for the grandmother of witness William Kellibrew during July 11 House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing. The power of personal stories from witnesses and committee members fueled the July 11 hearing on childhood trauma in the House Oversight and Reform Committee* throughout the nearly four hours of often emotional and searing testimony and member questions and statements (Click here for 3:47 hour video). The hearing was organized into a two panels—testimony from...
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Pottstown faith leaders join dialogue about effects of trauma [The Mercury]
POTTSTOWN — More than 30 faith leaders of the Pottstown area participated in a recent dinner program hosted by Pottstown Trauma Informed Community Connection to learn about the effects of trauma and how to become involved in trauma-informed practices as a community. The program held at TriCounty Active Adult Center was hosted by the Networks Work Group of PTICC and featured as guest speaker Robert K. Reed, a former federal prosecutor who heads the Office of Public Engagement for the state...
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Red zones in schools and churches—when kids don’t feel safe!
Ever heard of the “Red Zone?” Many of us understand that when something enters the red zone, it can prove to be a daunting situation. For example, if your car overheats, and the temperature gauge moves into the red zone, it’s important to check the engine to see what’s going on. Otherwise, the car may overheat or cause a fire, and you may find yourself stranded and standing on the side of the road. Wikipedia has a few examples of the Red Zone: Unsafe areas in Iraq after the 2003 invasion A...
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Religion and Faith - A Protective Factor and Contributor of Resilience
Hi Folks, Each month i receive CROSSROADS, a Newsletter of the Center for Spirituality, Theology & Health Volume 9 Issue 8 Feb 2020 . The link is to their latest newsletter. One of the reported research studies caught my eye as I read the newsletter today. And so I thought I'd share it here. To me, this is an example of the protective factor that involvement in a community of faith can have on adolescents. Faith can play a critical and valuable factor in helping one be resilient in the...
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Sheltering in Place: ACEs-Informed Tips for Self-Care During a Pandemic
Millions of lives have been affected in unprecedented ways by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are all grappling with uncertainty—our daily routines interrupted, not knowing what is to come. For those of us who have Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), these times can be particularly distressing. At the Center for Youth Wellness (CYW), we know that childhood trauma can have a significant impact on an individual’s health and well-being – both physiologically and psychologically. Since the...
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Some 350 Florida Leaders Expected to Attend Think Tank with Dr. Vincent Felitti, Co-Principal Investigator of the ACE Study; Expert on ACEs Science
Leaders from across the Sunshine State will take part in a “Think Tank” in Naples, FL, on Monday, August 6, to help create a more trauma-informed Florida. The estimated 350 attendees will include policy makers and community teams made up of school superintendents, law enforcement officers, judges, hospital administrators, mayors, PTA presidents, child welfare experts, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, philanthropists, university researchers, state agency heads, and...
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The Peace Bus
Times in our community have been challenging and traumatic recently. Shining a light on how we can come together and support one another is vital during this time, and is just what Kwabi Amoah-Forson is doing with The Peace Bus. This is incredible work and reflects the importance of connectivity at this time. Please consider supporting the work Kwabi is doing, and share with others to spread the word! Per his recent Facebook post: "Fear, division, and safety have been the reoccuring themes...
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Tools and how to use them is focus of second webinar on Community Resiliency Model, May 14, 2020
The second of two free Community Resiliency (CRM) webinars with Elaine Miller-Karas , key creator of the CRM, will be held Thursday, May 14, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET, (10 a.m. CT; 9 a.m. MT, and 8 a.m. PT) and will include the practical application of tools of the model. CRM is an ACEs science-based biological model for helping individuals become emotionally regulated during natural disasters and other dysregulating times. Miller-Karas will be joined by CRM trainers from Wilmington, NC:...
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Unconditional Love: Faith Leaders as Agents of Change in the ACEs and Resilience Movement
The Rev. Sanghoon Yoo learned about the ACE Study, saw the film Paper Tigers and understood that there might be a way to bridge the chasm between faith-based views of wellness and traditional approaches to mental health. “When I heard from the science and Paper Tigers that one of the most important factors for resilience is unconditional love, I thought: That’s not medical. That’s my language. That was an ‘aha’ moment for me; I never thought mental health and faith would go together.” Yoo,...
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Understanding the Effects of Child Maltreatment on Brain Development (ChildWelfare.gov)
In recent years, there has been a surge of research into early brain development. Neuroimaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provide increased insight about how the brain develops and how early experiences affect...
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Was Jesus' ministry "trauma-informed?" [part 2]
Was Jesus’ ministry trauma-informed, part 2: recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma There is a movement that is beginning to take shape across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed . The topic concerns churches that are interested in missional engagement with the culture because there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that if we can break the cycle of adversity in childhood we can help everyone experience “life to the full” as Jesus intended...
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What happens when a Muslim center opens up across from a Christian church? Community. (upworthy.com)
It all started when the Memphis Islamic Center purchased land across the street from Heartsong Church. It took Pastor Steve Stone of Heartsong Church by surprise. "When I saw that, my stomach kind of tightened up. ... I felt that ignorance and that fear ," he said. Like Stone, Dr. Bashar Shala of the Memphis Islamic Center was unsure of what to expect. The goal of the Islamic center was to create a place for people to "pray and play" and have a sense of community, but he knew they'd likely...
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Where The Brain Processes Spiritual Experiences (scienceblog.com)
Yale scientists have identified a possible neurobiological home for the spiritual experience — the sense of connection to something greater than oneself. Activity in the parietal cortex, an area of the brain involved in awareness of self and others as well as attention processing, seems to be a common element among individuals who have experienced a variety of spiritual experiences, according to a study published online May 29 in the journal Cerebral Cortex . “ Spiritual experiences are...
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Why Focus on Resilience? 2019 BPT Conference Big Idea Session with Teri Barila
“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in” -Desmond Tutu. This quote captures the essence of why resilience matters. To Community Resilience Initiative, Resilience is not about “lifting yourself up by your bootstraps” or “bouncing back” from serious harm or injury. To us, Resilience is about self-discovery and self-awareness based on what the ACE Study, neurobiology, and epigenetics tell us...
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You know I really believe!!!
Folks from Pastors to Priests to dharma brothers and sisters and beyond really do have the power if they become educated about adversity in childhood to really make a change for individuals and for the larger community you live in! In fact it is...
Ask the Community
Getting FBOs involved in the ACEs Conversation/Movement
Hello everyone. I'm from Arkansas and the work with ACEs is just getting off the ground here. We have a workgroup with about 100 organizations involved and they are sharing the data about ACEs nationally and in AR--The last ACEs study showed Arkansas has the highest frequency of people experiencing multiple ACEs. I've seen how FBOs have taken responsibility and a leadership roles in other states and believe that can happen here too. We are a highly religious state and medical collages have...
Ask the Community
Religion, faith and trauma
I'm looking for some research in the area of children's belief in God, faith and religion when a child experiences trauma. I've been commissioned to write an article for a major children's ministry publication and can no research in this area. I...
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Re: You know I really believe!!!
Heather thanks so much for your comment! I really appreciate it but I am truly going beyond a place of this is what happened to me thanks for helping! I use my story to give a valid example of a real life person who shows us clearly that this is an area for those of us with faith should engage! Engagement is soooooo consistent with what folk with faith are charged by God to do??? I know this to be true!!!! I believe I am a boddisatva (a person born to bring compassion to the world). I was...
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Re: You know I really believe!!!
Originally Posted by Tina Marie Hahn, MD: Heather thanks so much for your comment! I really appreciate it but I am truly going beyond a place of this is what happened to me thanks for helping! I use my story to give a valid example of a real life person who shows us clearly that this is an area for those of us with faith should engage! Engagement is soooooo consistent with what folk with faith are charged by God to do??? I know this to be true!!!! I believe I am a boddisatva (a person born...
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Re: Something to Consider... for the next time you teach or preach on worry
Excellent points, Sandy... just another affirmation of how valuable this online community can be, as your words challenge and fuel me and encourage me at the same time! Vulnerability, TRUE vulnerability, is very hard in spiritual leadership... I have had church members get visibly agitated my times I have dipped my toe in these waters (years ago... pre-ACE Study), because their image (read: idol) of a minister was someone that was a spiritual superhero that didn't bleed... especially not...
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Re: A New Documentary About Breaking the Cycle of Trauma is Launching This Fall!
Thank You, 'Wrestling Ghosts Team' ! ! !
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Re: ACE Overcomers Faith-Based Curriculum
Northwest Baptist Church of Port Orchard, Everette Rescue Mission, and Christian Aid Center of Walla Walla are using the ACE Overcomers faith-based curriculum. Additional ministries in Wash, Idaho, MT, and OR will soon begin the curriculum as I will soon schedule a 2 day Instructor's Training in the Spokane- Coeur d'Alene area. Please tell me how I can assist you in beginning an ACE Overcomers program in your area. Dave Lockridge Executive Director ACE Overcomers PO Box 457 Atwater, CA 95301...
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Re: Worth Forwarding - "Caught between the Amygdala and a Hard Place" - by Karyn Purvis, Ph.D. & David Cross, Ph.D.
Steve I have wanted to ask you this and it is a serious question. In one of your posts you stated something like in a strange twist of fate it is us without high aces scores that can make the difference in the area of awareness of aces... I hadn't responded but had wanted to--I think you are right and you are wrong. In other words there are two sides to this coin. And there is the middle for those with a moderate numbers of ACES. I think when my thinking brain goes off line as is often the...
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Re: Youth Ministry and Mental Illness
Yes it is important to respond to mental illness among adolescents as they will be the next set of parents but if we understand adversity in childhood and work with families on prevention and health, rates of adolescent mental health concerns would plummet. A dual approach recognizing and mitigating mental illness, addiction, suicide, family and community violence is the most effective way to gain major change and give so many hope!!!! Dr. Heckman really focuses on this for example early...
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
I’d love to see your slides. I live in Union County, NC and have connections to ministries in and around the Charlotte area that could benefit from the info. King
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
Hi King, I actually live in Indian Land, SC quite near Waxhaw, just of highway 521.
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
I technically live in Waxhaw, but I’m closer to Wesley Chapel. That being said, I’d love to meet up sometime and discuss!
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
Hi Folks! I'm attaching two documents that I used to deliver the teaching I mentioned in the post above. There is a Powerpoint file that I used on the Sunday that I've converted to a PDF. And the script that accompanies the Powerpoint is also in a PDF document. This presentation and the supporting documents are a 'work in progress.' As Ronnie and I present this to other churches and ministries in the area, I'm sure that it will evolve. We are doing our best to share this important material...
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Re: from my blog... Creating Communities of Hope for those with ACEs
Chris, I understand what you are saying. My expertise is in ministering children from divorce and single parent homes. For years I ran a therapeutic child care in OK. I had no church to send these families to because churches just didn't understand what was needed. Parents would say, "why should I go to church? I just get called out to deal with my own child so I might as well stay home." Thankfully more and more special needs ministries are cropping up now. However, church leaders and...
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Re: from my blog... Creating Communities of Hope for those with ACEs
Upcoming Seminar on June 7th in Burton, MI about the compelling epidemic of child sexual abuse. This seminar is for leaders in the church and in the community.
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Re: Elevate Montana - Helena Affiliate and "trial run" of new trauma-informed curriculum for churches
Chaplain Chris - Thank you for your work in this area. I am connected with the faith based community in the Walla Walla area. We have been living the Paper Tigers story for several years. I applaud your connection between the science and Christian principles. Keep up the good work and keep the faith. Blessing
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Re: Examples of churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other faith communities practicing child trauma prevention and intervention?
Lauralee, Thanks for reaching out. Happy to hear from you. Check my website: aceovercomers.org We now have online facilitator training. The first session (one of twelve) is free. There is a difference between establishing a safe culture in a church and just adding a new class to the list of available classes. Establishing a safe culture requires the pastor and leadership to "buy into" understanding and practicing trauma-informed approach to ministry. I'm not saying that the pastor must...
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Re: Religious Engagement Effects on Outcomes of Early Childhood Maltreatment
I completely agree that this is an area which has been neglected in research. More studies should be done looking at religious affiliation or church attendance or some marker of theological engagement and resilience. I find in my family medicine clinic that teens who report significant church involvement seem to have a much lower incidence of alcohol and marijuana use and school failure, and possibly a later onset of sexual activity, all factors which can promote health and positive...
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Re: Religious Engagement Effects on Outcomes of Early Childhood Maltreatment
I appreciate you taking time to comment on this Angela! Perhaps there is a nearby academic institution that can assist with a research project!
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Re: Religious Engagement Effects on Outcomes of Early Childhood Maltreatment
I completely agree with you Connie. This is an area where the church could have such a great impact. It's my hopes and intention to help our church become 'trauma informed' and see what we can put into place to be intentional at addressing this issue.