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Aloha, we are excited to announce that the second annual “Kahewai Live” conference is scheduled for September 20, 2024, at the Nani Mau Gardens . The conference is sponsored by the YWCA of Hawaiʻi Island , the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health , and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundationʻs Promising Minds Program . The Kahewai Conference began as a virtual gathering for 0-5 providers to provide trauma-informed care professional development and trauma-responsive strategies. In recent years, we...

With Pixar's Inside Out 2 now in theaters, I wanted to share some reflections on the first movie. I must admit, as a father of two—one recently graduated from high school and the other graduating next year—I somehow missed this movie. However, in preparation for Inside Out 2 , we had a family movie night and watched it together. It was an amazing experience filled with profound insights. So, although late, I believe these thoughts are still relevant. In the upcoming posts, I'll delve into...

Hawaii's Integrated Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health Plan: A Comprehensive Approach to Early Childhood Well-being There are currently many initiatives in play on behalf of young children -- the work of Early Childhood Action Strategy, the Promising Minds Initiative, the Early Childhood State Plan spearheaded by the Executive Office on Early Learning, and numerous others. Through the cross-sector work Early Childhood Action Strategy, it became apparent there was a critical need...

This is an excellent blog for developing resilience skills in your child. It is well-organized, offering a widely accepted definition of resilience, and includes links and videos for professional development (featuring embedded videos from the Harvard Center for the Developing Child). Additionally, it provides tangible strategies that are developmentally appropriate. This blog could serve as an excellent resource for caregivers and as professional development for staff who are new to the...

Knock! Knock! - Okay, I won’t go there, nor will I make your eyes roll (as my daughters often do) with a “Dad Joke.” Instead, I’d like to highlight the benefits of laughter and how we can use it in our early learning settings. Beyond lightening our day or evoking a happy memory, research shows that regular laughter can support our “body, mind, and spirit.” It strengthens the immune system, distracts us from pain, and helps mitigate stress. Laughter calms our nervous system, “relaxes” our...

Navigating the tumultuous waters of today's geopolitical landscape can be overwhelming for adults, let alone children. In her insightful newsletter, “ What a trauma therapist would say to children about war ,” Psychotherapist, Beth Tyson, of the “Creating Trauma-Informed Organizations,” offers valuable guidance on helping children cope with the fear and anxiety stemming from global conflicts. With the unpleasant and unceasing churn of 24-hour news cycles and the omnipresence of social media,...

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, educators found themselves in a frenzy for professional development, particularly in Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), as fear, predictions, and anxiety spread by either misinformation (or disinformation). Since 2020, many educators and social service agencies have embraced the concept of being 'trauma-informed.' I had the privilege of being part of a remarkable team of advocates and agencies that successfully lobbied for Hawaiʻi to become a 'TIC State' through...

An ecosystem's response to threat or disruption by a foreign entity is both "resistant" and "resilient," representing a natural defense mechanism to preserve, defend, and adapt to ensure life continues. The Center of the Developing Child at Harvard University has produced an insightful brief titled "The Science of Resilience," emphasizing the critical role of reducing significant adversity's effects on young children's healthy development for societal progress and prosperity. Governor Josh...

It’s time to take action and make our voices heard to build healthy, resilient communities! The Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) is organizing trauma-informed advocates, activists, and stakeholders to urge their U.S. Senators and Representatives to support two bipartisan, bicameral bills that would significantly help prevent, address, and mitigate the negative impacts of trauma through community-based/led initiatives.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. visits a distribution center at Lahaina Crossing. A deadly wildfire destroyed the city of Lahaina, Maui. Deanne Fitzmaurice for NPR By Eric Westervelt, National Public Radio (NPR), August 21, 2023 The scale of the physical damage in the historic center of Lahaina is clear in its apocalyptic landscape of rubble, ash and debris. But the scale of the inner damage can be seen in the 5-year-old girl that Maui's chief mental health administrator John Oliver saw...

To listen to Sonali Kolhatkar's interview with Kaniela Ing, please click here. More than a hundred people have so far been documented to have died in the devastating wildfires that swept the Hawaiian island of Maui, making it one of the deadliest such disasters in United States history . Federal agencies are pledging assistance even as survivors are desperately looking for loved ones and struggling to find lodging and other necessities. The historic town of Lahaina in particular has been...

Natural calamities and crises, like the current wildfires on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, can deeply affect our keiki's physical, social, and emotional well-being. During these trying times, it's essential for parents and caregivers to provide effective emotional support. This blog post is dedicated to helping our keiki navigate the challenges posed by such events. With their limited life experiences and heightened emotions, children require special care to help them feel safe, secure, and...