The Bridges to Resilience conference is one of the most recognized conferences in California’s coastal tri-counties. Bridges to Resilience seeks to increase  understanding of the widespread impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and provide hopeful strategies to build resilience within our communities and across systems of care throughout the Central Coast.

Since 2016, the annual conference has inspired a regional learning community that provides both virtual and in-person events for networking and to raise awareness about and engagement with resources that can help to prevent, treat and heal the harmful consequences of ACEs and toxic stress. KIDS Network and the Bridges conference gave rise to the growing ACEs initiative known as Resilient Santa Barbara (RSBC). RSBC now leads a collaborative tri-county conference planning process to engage new partners and strengthen care networks in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties. The three neighboring counties have a long history of regional partnership. The Coastal Tri-Counties Child Abuse Prevention Coalition (CTC-CAPC) and multidisciplinary prevention teams from each county offer a base from which to build cross-sector relationships that link, lift and leverage child and family wellbeing initiatives.

This year’s 2023 interactive kickoff event with keynote speaker Dr. Robert Sege offered those working with children and families practical guidance in implementing the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework, a strengths-based approach that identifies, celebrates, and promotes access to key Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), which are critical to the health and thriving of all children.

Over 200 people attended, representing social services, early care and education, K-12 education, parents/community members, justice, healthcare, government, family support, youth services, and behavioral health.  Sixty-six percent of participants had not attended the Bridges conference in years past. All three counties were well-represented.  Simultaneous interpretation was provided in Spanish and Mixteco, and 12% of participants utilized the interpretation feature.

What is HOPE?

Positive experiences help children grow into more resilient, healthier adults. The HOPE framework aims to better understand and support these key experiences.

Positive Childhood Experiences:

• Promote children’s health and well-being
• Allow children to form strong relationships and connections
• Cultivate positive self-image and self-worth
• Provide a sense of belonging
• Build skills that promote resilience

HOPE sees people’s strengths before challenges.

HOPE builds on current knowledge and practice.

HOPE creates relationships based on respect.

4 Building Blocks of HOPE

• Relationships: Relationships with other children and adults through interpersonal activities.
• Environment: Safe, equitable, stable environments for living, playing, learning at home and in school.
• Engagement: Social and civic engagement to develop a sense of belonging and connectedness.
• Emotional growth: Emotional growth through playing and interacting with peers for self-awareness and self-regulation.

Session recordings and materials now available at: https://www.bridgestoresilience.com/resources

HOPE Website: https://hopesummit2023.positiveexperience.org/home