One of the first sessions of the 2018 ACEs Conference: Action to Access discussed the barriers and opportunities for increasing access in the field of education. The main question was: "How can one achieve systematic changes within the field of education?" The session was moderated by Michelle Flowers, a passionate advocate, and the principal of Kinney High in Rancho Cordova, CA, which is part of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District. It included a dynamic and diverse panel of education...

My name is Jeff Putthoff, SJ. I will be moving to St. Louis in July to become a president of a Catholic high school in North County St. Louis. Before this, I spent 18 years in Camden, NJ working with youth 14-23 who were not in school. While there, our organization became Sanctuary certified. I am interested in connecting with folks in the St. Louis area who are working on issues of ACES and also finding people who would be interested in working in a trauma-informed educational school!!!!

Jeff, Best wishes on your move. Missouri is very active in developing "trauma informed care" across systems. Alive and Well in St. Louis is a nonprofit actively working with the St. Louis community and schools there. Additionally, Dr. Patsy Carter is the lead on Trauma Informed Care in Missouri with the Department of Mental Health and would also be an excellent resource. Both Dr. Carter and Alive and Well do training and working with training collaboratives across the state on becoming...

Welcome to St. Louis Jeff! Alive and Well STL is leading the trauma-informed school efforts in the region. Take a look at their Facebook here . One of the first trauma-informed school teams I helped create was in North St. Louis. I use a design-thinking process that can be seen here . I will be excited to follow how your Sandra Bloom's Sanctuary Model will impact the Archdiocese of St. Louis schools. My first suggestion for you is arrive wearing a St. Louis Cardinal baseball hat. You will...

Thanks Jim. Sorry, but I am a loyal Royals fan from KC! I still remember fondly 1985! :-) . Loving the responses from the St. Louis group. I have previously been in touch what ALive and Well STL--a couple of years ago and look forward to seeing what has happened since. I want to check out your design for the group in North St. Louis. Perhaps we will have a chance to meet?

Jeff, Feel free to checkout my website where you will find contact information and more videos. After you get settled, I'm always open to meet to discuss what my team has done at the high school level. Our work really became solidified during Ferguson and responding to the communities that we served in North City. As you probably are aware, the educational landscape is being flooded by trauma-informed programs and practices. The key is helping schools and educators put these practices into...