Examples of churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other faith communities practicing child trauma prevention and intervention?

I would love examples to. Have you received any replies? Thanks

The curriculum I wrote earlier this year is just starting to be implemented in the faith communities that requested it. Here is something I wrote up recently that might be helpful?

ACE Overcomers has been at the forefront of the faith-based trauma-informed movement. We train pastors, laymen, law enforcement officers, social, behavioral, and mental health workers in many states.

My curriculum, "Overcoming a Difficult Childhood" is used across the states, into Canada, D.R. Congo, and Uganda. 

Additionally we have a secular program, "Building Healthy Life Skills" (TM) used in high schools and jails.

Both programs have been studied by University of California Merced and they wrote, "the findings provide evidence for the efficacy of ACE Overcomers in improving emotion regulation skills, psychological resilience and well-being, quality of life, illness days, and somatic symptoms…".

You may access many ACE Overcomers videos on the website: http://aceovercomers.com/product-store.html. 

Hi Laura,

I am a member of ACE Connections. I saw your post on making presentations to Faith Based communities.  I am wondering how it is going, if you researched presentations or curriculum?

Anything you can share would be helpful to me in my passion to inform churches about ACEs.

My Best,

Roxy Foster

We are trying to put together a day focus event for a longer Child Abuse Conference for faith based communities in OKlahoma.  If you would give us an update on your forum or surveys that you have learned about faith base qroups and what they would like to know and hear more about on the topic. I could find very little on the subject besides Chris Haughee's curriculum for high school.  Margie

Margie,

Thank you for the shout out. Here's another forthcoming resource from Cope 24, which I had the opportunity to review:

https://cope24.com/family-its-...ed-coming-fall-2018/

Rene Howitt and Pastor Tim Wesemann wrote it and it's a Bible Study on Genesis from an ACE-aware standpoint. Rene would be a good person to be in touch with regarding your efforts.

Chris

Have we created any language on what does it mean to be a trauma informed church?

Chris has some great specific possible outcomes in his curriculum.

I am looking for some fill in the blank value added statements to begin to work with churches i.e.

What does it mean to be a trauma informed church

• elders are _____________________
• conversations are happening on __________________________
• families are willing to ________________________
• bible study focuses on____________________

Very interested in this conversation!  I am also wanting to help churches become Trauma-Informed.  Interested in any programs/curricula/resources others have used successfully with churches.  Thank you so much!!

Beth, ACE Overcomers will soon have anonline facilitator training of our faith based curriculum available .

I train rescue missions and churches to become trauma informed through biblically sound/scientifically accurate material.

Let's connect.

Dave, I am putting together a powerpoint presentation for a local church and I wanted to discuss how to build a trauma-informed safe congregation. This is fairly new territory for me, could you direct me, please. Thank you!

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 become a Harvey Milktoast ( I am quite direct in my preaching). I am saying that the pastor and leadership must understand the significant effects of ACEs and approach and embrace the wounded with the same compassion that Christ demonstrated. We must not discount or discard those who find it challenging to control their emotions and thought life. We must develop the empathy and sympathy necessary to come alongside and model and teach biblical self-awareness and self-regulation. (Biblical self-awareness and self-regulation is a whole other discussion)

When a pastor "gets" the science of trauma, people become very understandable and predictable. It makes counseling enjoyable and fruitful. You can help people take positive steps to embrace the principles that lead to life. "The wages of sin is death (that's the result of ACEs); but the gift of God is eternal life  through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

When church leadership is more concerned with plans and programs than demonstrating the compassion and care of Christ, the person with a high ACE score will never feel accepted or at peace. They will feel intimidated, discounted, and retraumatized.

Before a congregation can become trauma-informed and safe, the leadership must deal with their trauma, and purposefully commit to modeling the example of Christ. Those in leadership must evaluate their ability to emotionally connect with others. I've sat under the preaching of a pastor who was proper in his sermonizing and business dealings, but had no ability to connect with his congregation. It created an emotionally sterile church. If the pastor is lacking in this area, the congregation must develop other leaders who can meet the needs of the emotionally wounded. Tip O'Neill, past Speaker of the House said, "All politics is local." And when it comes to congregations, "All ministering is personal."

When church leadership doesn't connect with the pew, ministry is reduced to herding, not leading.

Lauralee, I know I have written a lot, but most likely have not answered all your questions. Please feel free to call me at (209) 617-4688. I'm happy to discuss your specific needs and applications. 

I live in California, so please call me during business hours in CA.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33    

Dave