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Here in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties, the entire community experienced prolonged and extensive hyper-arousal – days on end of watching and wondering where the fires would burn next, and far too many sleepless nights. According to the literature on disasters, what follows is a brief honeymoon period, characterized by community cohesion and gratitude. Sonoma County showed up for each other in major ways in the past couple of weeks, and the outpouring of gratitude to the first responders...

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released a national survey of children's health that shows almost half of American kids experience traumatic experiences. The study was produced by CAHMI, the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative . Martha Davis is Senior Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She is disturbed by the compendium in the 2016 edition of the National Survey of Children's Health and an analysis conducted by CAHMI. "What it shows is a state...

In the midst of the devastating fires that continue to threaten our county, we at St. Joseph Health Hospice Grief Services would like to offer a few gentle grief reminders for anyone touched by these events . Whether you personally have experienced a loss, you are supporting others, or even witnessing the events remember: We all grieve differently, and ALL grief is valid. Extreme Self Care While chaos is swirling we must try to drink plenty of water , eat whenever possible, sleep even if...

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Sesame Workshop share a common vision of giving all children—especially the most vulnerable among us—a strong and healthy start in life. We know that childhood experiences lay the foundation for children to grow into productive and successful adults, and promoting healthy behaviors and supporting families from the very beginning can help kids thrive. But it’s equally important to address challenges that can undermine their healthy development. That’s...

Sharing an article from the Ukiah Daily Journal ... To read more written by CAROLE BRODSKY click here: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/article/NP/20171016/NEWS/171019899

The California Psychological Association has sent out an "urgent request" by email to a distribution list of about 13,000 licensed psychologists seeking volunteers to help wildfire evacuees cope with emotional trauma. Jo Linder-Crow, the association's chief executive, said Tuesday the email was sent out a day earlier to licensed mental health providers across California. The email warned of "a tremendous acute and long-term impact" caused by the deadly wildfires and called for volunteers to...

Live Oak Charter School in Petaluma hosted the Schoolbox Project to help train and support volunteers, parents and educators in responding to the crisis in our community. Without an understanding of basic trauma-informed principles, there is potential for even the most well-meaning volunteers to engage in behavior that is overstimulating or even re-traumatizing to vulnerable populations. Dr. Gabriela Bronson-Castain, Clinical Director of the Behavioral Emergency Response Team at UCSF Benioff...

A free resource for families affected by the fires. This book is part of the Trinka and Sam series, a free coloring book series which began in 2011 after Hurricane Katrina to help children and families affected by disasters. This series is disseminated via the National Child Traumatic Stress Network For more information on other versions for hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes check out: Piplo Productions

Free downloadable book The Forest of Fire follows the journey of a forest from pristine wild to human developed and the roles and risks of fire in ecology and our lives.

In response to the wildfires in California, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help families and communities. These resources include: Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires En Español Wildfires: Tips for Parents on Media Coverage En Español Simple Activities for Children During Evacuations or When Playing Outside is Restricted Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic...

Wish you had a fairly easy and short way to share all about ACEs? Wish it was in-depth enough to share with teachers, doctors, nurses and therapists but not so long or jargony it puts family and friends to sleep? Here's the perfect thing to share when you've been all up in the faces with ACEs and want to back up your words before, during or after. This brochure is comprehensive but not so long that it remains in the "I'll get to it later," pile. Please feel free to print, forward, download...

Did you miss your chance to participate in the Sonoma County Ripple Effect training? Mark your calendars for the Marin Prevent Child Abuse event: T he Ripple Effect: A Framework for Enhancing Trauma Informed Practice Thursday, November 9, 2017 8:30am-4:30pm Location: The Key Room, 1385 N. Hamilton Pkwy. Novato, CA 94949 Description: This all day workshop presents an integrative framework for understanding and communicating across systems about how trauma can affect a child, a family, and a...