Tagged With "mental wellness"
Calendar Event
Nurse to Nurse Bullying: A Sepsis in Healthcare (Webinar)
Calendar Event
Resilience Film Screening
Calendar Event
Resilience Rising: A Community Celebration - Resilience OC
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12 Myths of the Science of ACEs
The two biggest myths about ACEs science are: MYTH #1 — That it’s just about the 10 ACEs in the ACE Study — the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study . It’s about sooooo much more than that. MYTH #2 — And that it’s just about ACEs…adverse childhood experiences. These two myths are intertwined. The ACE Study issued the first of its 70+ publications in 1998, and for many people it was the lightning bolt, the grand “aha” moment, the unexpected doorway into a blazing new...
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3rd "Healing Orange County from Childhood Trauma" Meeting
Our 3 rd “Healing Orange County from Childhood Trauma” meeting was held on Wednesday July 20 th , at Laguna Woods Village Community Center - Elm Room. Thank you Betsy S., for reserving our cool and comfortable meeting space. We had a total of 10 attendees; see attached Agenda and Meeting Notes . We were all warmly welcomed by Dana Brown, and we all had the opportunity to give a brief introduction of ourselves and share what we are grateful for. We were most certainly all grateful to listen...
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6th Orange County ACEs Task Force Meeting Notes
Orange County ACEs Task Force AGENDA October 19, 2016 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Location: Laguna Woods Village Elm Room - Community Center 24351 El Toro Road Laguna Woods, CA 92630 Attendees: Connie Hornyak, Kathy Brous, Marguerite Bonnet, Marlene Sanders, Mary Brogdon. Welcome & Introductions Mindfulness Minutes/Intention - We didn’t practice meditation; all members present were excited to discuss the Agenda. E ducation Committee Work Group Paper Tigers: Debrief Friday, 10/14/16, Screening at...
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ACEs Connection Network Confab -- Southern California, May 10, 2016
(l to r) Sienna, one of the teens from Youth Voice from City Heights; Dana Brown, ACEs Connection Network regional facilitator and co-founder of Youth Voice; Francisco Mendoza, CEO, Mendoza Consulting; Jessica, Youth Voice; Lizette, Youth Voice; Talitha Thompson, Youth Voice co-facilitator; Joshua Aguirre, RISE Up Industries board of directors; Stephanie Linderman, Youth Voice mentor; Arturo Soriano, Youth Empowerment co-founder; (in front) Adrian, Youth Voice.
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Adversity Is Not Destiny
Childhood adversity can activate the human stress response system, which is primarily made up of the hormones/chemicals cortisol and adrenaline. In the developing brain of a child, prolonged activation of the stress response system can cause these chemicals to actually become toxic. Think of that – a child’s brain being bathed in toxic chemicals due to abuse, neglect, or chaotic household dysfunction. It’s called toxic stress. It’s real, not imagined, and it’s physiological, potentially...
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Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait proposes jobs for homeless in State of the City (ocregister.com)
Jobs are key to solving the city’s homeless issue, Mayor Tom Tait said, proposing Better Way Anaheim, an initiative for giving people opportunities to work while improving the community. “A good job can transform a life,” said Tait, who is modeling his initiative after Albuquerque’s There’s a Better Way program. “It brings a person dignity and purpose. It focuses them on working with others to get a job done, and done well.” “It would be basic work,” Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster said.
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Artist paints positive message behind bars at O.C. men's jail (ocregister.com)
Artist Alex Cook often paints his murals in schools and public places, not correctional facilities. But the three-word message of his art projects is perhaps just as valuable for jail inmates as for anyone else. That’s why Sandy Haase of Yorba Linda wanted Cook to create a mural in the Orange County Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana. Haase has volunteered with the Orange County jails since 1986, helping with religious services and acting as an assistant chaplain. She discovered Cook online.
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Broadening Your Network and Identifying Partners for More Resilient, Healthier Communities
Who should you partner with to create lasting change through resilience in your community? The Building Community Resilience (BCR) initiative aims to address, prevent, and reduce the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adverse community environments (ACEs) on children’s health and wellbeing ( The “Pair of ACEs” ). An essential element of the successes of BCR’s five test sites around the country has been strategic collaborations. In your work to build resilience, identifying...
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California 2018 State Profile
Hi, Everyone: Here’s the state profile for California. To review the entire profile, open the PDF that is attached to this post. If you have corrections or additions, please leave them in the comments section of this post. We’ll be reviewing the comments regularly and doing fact-checks. The information you give us will also help us determine how to organize and expand the information in the state profiles. We will be turning this post into a living profile that, with your help and input,...
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California issues update on state residents' ACE scores from 2011 & 2013 surveys
The latest adverse childhood experiences survey from the California Department of Public Health shows that 42% of the population has an ACE score of 3 or higher; 16% have an ACE score of 4 or higher. Those with an ACE score of 4 or higher are: 3x more likely to be current smokers 4x more likely to have a depressive disorder 2x more likely to have asthma 2x more likely to be obese 4x more likely to have COPD 3x more likely to have a stroke Here are a few other highlights from the six-page...
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County Approves Homeless Shelter, Armory Shelter Operator (voiceofoc.org)
(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors has selected Mercy House Living Centers Inc. to operate a new 200-bed year-round emergency shelter and multi-service center in Anaheim to serve those without permanent housing, as well as operate seasonal cold-weather shelters at National Guard armories in Fullerton and Santa Ana. Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to select Mercy House, which for years has partnered with the County to provide emergency shelter and housing services.
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Early childhood educators learn new ways to spot trauma triggers, build resilience in preschoolers
A hug may be comforting to many children, but for a child who has experienced trauma it may not feel safe.
That’s an example used by Julie Kurtz, co-director of trauma informed practices in early childhood education at the WestEd Center for Child & Family Studies (CCFS), as she begins a trauma training session. Her audience, preschool teachers and staff of the San Francisco-based Wu Yee Children’s Services at San Francisco’s Women’s Building, listen attentively.
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Echo Conference Feature: Neuroscience & The Havening Techniques
At the Echo conference in Los Angeles on March 18 & 19, 2019 we will be showcasing many new and traditional ways to use the body to reverse the impact of trauma. One of these ways is Havening. During her workshop, Dr. Kate Truitt will explain how stressful events impact brain functioning and how the Havening Techniques harness the power of neuroplasticity to create sustainable healing. Her workshop will cover: Fundamentals of the Havening Techniques Key areas for fast and effective...
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Enroll today for the December 5, 2019 SoCal Learning Community!
Welcome to the 2019 - 2020 SoCal Learning Community series! This 4-part series is designed to build leadership capacity to improve outcomes for children and families in the SoCal region. Re-visioning Prevention: Exploring Systems Innovation and Best Practices in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Join us for the second convening in December and participate in this innovative peer learning experience, hear from topic experts and connect with colleagues in the SoCal region. Date:...
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How an Orange County organization uses discarded food to help solve hunger (ocregister.com)
A food recovery model now being eyed by neighboring counties was refined through the work of a lifelong Orange resident – whose experience as a restaurateur opened the door to turning millions of pounds of excess food into meals for the hungry. This year, nearly 11.5 million pounds of excess food in Orange County, normally headed toward the garbage bin, went instead to help those struggling with food insecurity, thanks to a model developed by the Waste Not OC Coalition and refined by its...
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Hundreds gathered in City Heights last month for the San Diego premier of Resilience -The Biology of Stress and Science of Hope.
The crowd arrived to the aroma of freshly popped popcorn that wafted through the Cherokee Point Elementary School auditorium. With bags of popcorn and plates filled with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables from trays on tables lining the wall, the service providers, policy makers, community advocates, graduate students, teachers and parents settled in for a movie and a panel discussion that brought many to tears. Dr. Dawn Griffin, a professor in Alliant International University departments of...
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ITRC 2018 California Conference: Preparing People for Climate Change in California
To See the Conference Agenda, List of All-Star Speakers, and To Register Click Here Why Should Californians Attend This Unique Conference ? From high levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), to job and financial struggles, racism and other forms of inequity and injustice, traumatic stress is epidemic today. Climate change will aggravate all of these existing adversities, and add many new ones as well. Yet, California is leading the U.S. in finding innovative new ways to address...
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Join 4CA in educating policymakers about ACEs! May 1 in Sacramento.
Join us on May 1 for the 3rd Annual 4CA Policymaker Education Day! Register now: bit.ly/4CA2019Register
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Join us on May 17, 2019 for the SoCal Learning Community! Achieving Impact through Evaluation and Data for Family Strengthening Programs
Achieving Impact through Evaluation and Data for Family Strengthening Programs Know Your Audience: Program Participants, Potential Clients and Community Members Enroll Here! Date: Friday May 17, 2019 Time: Check in at 9:30am, begin at 10am, conclude at 12:30pm Enroll to join in person or remotely through one of the options below: Otis Booth Campus, Los Angeles Remote sites in Atascadero, Ventura, Lancaster, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley and San Diego LIVE online from your computer...
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Orange County Data Dashboard: Child Adversity and Well-Being
A product of the Essentials for Childhood Initiative (EfC), the Child Adversity and Well-Being Dashboards contain indicators of child adversity, health and well-being utilizing data available on kidsdata.org . For more information about the dashboards, please refer to the California Data Dashboards page. The Orange County Data Dashboard contains select indicators of child adversity and well-being. The dashboard is a product of the Shared Data and Outcomes Workgroup of the California...
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Portraits of Professional CAREgivers: Their Passion. Their Pain - FREE Screening for ACEs Connection Network!
I am excited to announce that ACEs Connection Network has partnered with the producers of the film, Portraits of Professional CAREgivers: Their Passion. Their Pain . to host a FREE SCREENING of the film for our members. If you have been t hinking of hosting a screening of CAREgivers in your community or are interested in learning more about secondary traumatic stress and what to do about it, join our ACEs Connection Network for a FREE screening of this film and a virtual chat with the...
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Report Rates Child Well-Being in California Counties [ChronicleOfSocialChange.org]
A new report from Children Now details wide disparities in children’s well-being across California’s 58 counties. The 2016–2017 California County Scorecard of Children’s Well-Being looks at a series of indicators organized around the three domains of child welfare and economic well-being; health; and education. The report provides a comparison over time for each of 28 indicators, as well as a breakdown by ethnicity on each data point for every county in the state. Children Now, an advocacy...
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So you know about ACEs...Turn your AHA! into Action!
Spring is the time for rebirth and new beginnings! As we look around, we can observe nature around us awakening after a long winter sleep. A true sign of resilience. At Origins , we have been lucky enough to create a space for growth and learning for both groups and individuals who work towards creating environments of healing and resilience over the winter months. After completing the first round of The Resilience Champion Certificate of 2018, we have 23 graduates putting their action plans...
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States Produce a Bumper Crop of ACEs bills in 2017—nearly 40 bills in 18 states
A scan done in March by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) through StateNet of bills introduced in 2017 that specifically include adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the text produced a surprising volume of bills (close of 40) in a large number of states (18). A scan done a year ago produced less than a handful. NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves both state legislators and their staffs. The shear volume of bills in so many states represents a promising...
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Stigma of mental illness rooted in Korean culture (ocregister.com)
(Image: Mikyong Kim-Goh, professor at Department of Social Work at Calstate Fullerton) The stigma of mental illness in the Korean American community – a stigma that only now is starting to change – is deeply rooted in culture and history. Mikyong Kim-Goh, professor of social work at Cal State Fullerton, explained the dynamic, saying it remains difficult for many people of Korean descent to seek help for ailments that are not physical. Q: Why is mental illness so stigmatized in the Korean...
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Strengthening Community Trust Sypmposium - Family & Youth Support Partner Initiative
The Diversity Development Center invites you to attend the first in a series of Strengthening Community Trust Symposiums to take place at Marina Village Conference Center Building A, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA 92109 on July 18th and 19th, 2018. FAMILY & YOUTH SUPPORT PARTNER MODEL A Family and Youth Support Partner is an individual, with lived experiences in the respective system(s), who is trained and hired to help other families as a paraprofessional. We believe trust is the...
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Strengthening Community Trust Sypmposium - Family & Youth Support Partner Initiative
The Diversity Development Center invites you to attend the first in a series of Strengthening Community Trust Symposiums to take place at Marina Village Conference Center Building A, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA 92109 on July 18th and 19th, 2018. FAMILY & YOUTH SUPPORT PARTNER MODEL A Family and Youth Support Partner is an individual, with lived experiences in the respective system(s), who is trained and hired to help other families as a paraprofessional. We believe trust is the...
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Syrian Children in a state of Toxic Stress
An article posted by BBC News captures what the children of Syria are experiencing and how many of these children don't know anything but war. This is a huge public health concern that could lead to irreversible damage to an entire generation of children. Save the Children shares, "Millions of Syrian Children could be living in a state of "Toxic Stress" due to prolonged exposure to the horrors of war." I have attached the Report, Invisible Wounds produced by Save the Children if you're...
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Taking Military Sexual Trauma Seriously [TheAtlantic.com]
Eileen Moore agreed to volunteer as a mentor to veterans in the Orange County Community Court because of her deep commitment to military men and women and her experience as a combat nurse during the Vietnam War. She’s also an associate justice for the state’s 4th District Court of Appeal, so her knowledge of the law likely came in handy from time to time. “Over the years, I’ve mentored most of the women, but sometimes men as well,” she said. In 2015, vets in the OCCC Veterans Treatment Court...
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Virtual Screening of Broken Places on March 21st & Registration for ACEs Connection Members!
Please join us on Thursday, March 21st for a special virtual screening of Broken Places , the latest U.S. documentary on early childhood trauma and resilience. The film will be offered via a private Vimeo link with passcode to all registered members of ACEs Connection, for free, accessible in the United States and internationally. REGISTER TODAY: To register, please visit : https://goo.gl/forms/apdoINwgtQmydEXK2 The viewing portal for the film will open on Vimeo at 6am EST and close at 11pm...
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Why Understanding A Student's Preschool Life May Be Key To Raising LAUSD Graduation Rates [laist.com]
By Mariana Dale, LAist, December 12, 2019 Almost 31,000 children attend some kind of early childhood program in the Los Angeles Unified School District, but that system isn't well connected to the district's elementary and high schools. That means it's hard for teachers to understand a student's background and where they need help when they enter K-12 schools. Now the district has a strategic plan to change that. LAUSD's Birth to Eight Roadmap recommends new teaching methods, data collection...
Ask the Community
Seeking trauma-informed medical care
On the chance that someone here can offer a referral or advice, I'm looking for a trauma-informed medical doctor who can be my wife's Primary Care Physician. She is 39 years old and has gone without medical care for over 27 years as a result of her childhood trauma which involved severe neglect and long-term social isolation. I need to find a physician who is willing to communicate with me before her first appointment so I can fully explain her condition and what kind of approach will best...
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Kris Perry to speak at the 4CA Policymaker Education Day (May 1) - Still time to register!
Kris Perry to speak at Policymaker Education Day- Still time to register!
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Learn to Be Well (Experience L!fe Magazine)
Captured from an article in the Experience L!fe magazine, Author Courtney Helgoe writes L earn to Be Well . Helgoe introduces studies that reveal the brain’s response to the experience of four traits: resilience, positive outlook, focus, generosity, and how we can cultivate these traits to experience well-being. The 4 Traits of Well-Being Well-being consists of four basic traits: resilience, positive outlook, focus, and generosity. What follows are studies conducted at the University of...
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Making Connections Symposium ~ Impact of Gang Culture on Community Well-being
Making Connections Symposium: Exploring the Impact of Gang Culture and Gang Violence on the Mental Health and Community Well-being in Los Angeles County. MAY 11, 2016 8:30 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M. at The California Endowment KEYNOTE SPEAKERS GEORGE WEAVER , BROTHERHOOD CRUSADE LOUISE GODBOLD , ECHO PARENTING AND EDUCATION DR. D’ARTAGNAN SCORZA , SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING INSTITUTE & INGLEWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MUSIC PERFORMANCE: THE RHYTHM ARTS ALLIANCE DRUMMERS FOOD: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH...
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Mind Matters: Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience Two-Day Intensive Training
with Author, Carolyn Rich Curtis, Ph.D. 8:30 AM–5:00 PM $399 for 2-day Intensive Training CEUs are available for an additional charge. Each trainee must have a copy of Mind Matters ($299 plus tax (CA and SD only) plus S/H) As a result of this training , you will learn to teach: Self-soothing skills to manage emotions Ways to analyze stressful thoughts How to deal with intrusive memories Ways to develop a protective lifestyle And you, as an instructor, will learn . . . How to provide a safe...
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Movement-Making in Buncombe County (NC): Opportunity-Based Narrative and Creation Spaces
Mobilizing action can be intimidating. Creating a movement even more so. John Hagel provides the following definition of a movement: “an organized effort mobilizing a large number of independent participants in a grassroots effort to pursue a broad agenda for change.” He indicates that there are two key ingredients in movement making: 1) compelling narratives and 2) fostering creation spaces. In Buncombe County, we are experimenting with both of these notions. Opportunity-based Narrative A...
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Need 45 Trauma-Informed Practitioners or Clinicians For Study on Using a Brain Regulation Headband-Bellabee Designed To Help Trauma Survivors Regulate Their Brains.
Need 45 Trauma-Informed Practitioners or Clinicians For Study on Using a Brain Regulation Headband-Bellabee Designed To Help Trauma Survivors Regulate Their Brains. All trauma informed practitioners who are suffering with or who work with adults or children suffering with C-PTSD, PTSD, Developmental Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD & Sleep Disorders are welcome to apply to be considered for this study. The deadline to request and submit your application is: March 20, 2020 As a trauma...
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Neurofeedback works: Van der Kolk
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk MD just posted a webinar on Neurofeedback that knocked me out. "Nothing I know can do that," he said, on first seeing Neurofeedback's results. This changes the map of trauma healing. Watch now; it may not be up long. I had a big emotional reaction to his revelations on how my brain still doesn't work in some areas . Click for van der Kolk video and to see what happened to me: http://attachmentdisorderhealing.com/neurofeedback-van-der-kolk/ Please forward this your...
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Orange County ACEs Task Force Agenda - 10/19/16
Orange County ACEs Task Force AGENDA October 19, 2016 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Location: Laguna Woods Village Elm Room - Community Center 24351 El Toro Road Laguna Woods, CA 92630 Welcome & Introductions - Mindfulness Minutes/Intention Education Committee Work Group - Paper Tigers: Debrief Friday, 10/14, Screening at Center for Spiritual Living - What went well? - How can we improve? - What did we learn which will support our Resilience screening? - How will we honor our attendee’s...
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Orange County ACEs Task Force Blog for 10/19/16 Meeting
Orange County ACEs Task Force (OCATF) has launched two movie screenings with the graciousness of the Center for Spiritual Living located at 1201 Puerto Del Sol, San Clemente, CA 92673, hosting Paper Tigers on Friday, October 14, 2016. Resilience will be screened on Friday, November 18th, 2016. Five leaders attended our sixth OCATF meeting. Discussing the Paper Tigers documentary screening; we reflected on what went well and what could be improved upon. To create a better viewing experience,...
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Orange County ACEs Task Force Blog for 9/21/16 Meeting
We had our 5th Orange County ACEs Task Force meeting on Wednesday September 21st. We have two new members; welcome to Floree McFadden and Tammy Ramsay. Dana Brown was very thoughtful to attend the meeting via speakerphone and could offer her insight when needed; thank you Dana! The meeting began with a five-minute mindful meditation exercise led by Marlene Sanders. It was nice to start our meeting with Focus and Relaxation. Some of our group members had questions regarding where to locate...
Reply
Re: Support Group for Relative Caregivers
Hello Rachel, We have a support group on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month from 2-3:30pm at OC United in Fullerton. More details and registration for childcare can be found at www.ocunited.org/respite & I have attached the flyer as well.