Sonoma County ACES Connection Meeting Notes from 3-22-17

(For a picture-filled and engaging version of these notes, please see the attachment.)

03-22-17

Dear Sonoma County ACEs Connection Friends,

Thank you to all that participated in today’s ACES meeting.   Kate Jenkins started us off by inviting us to close our eyes and focus on being present in the moment. This “mindful moment” encouraged us to focus on our breath, while also paying attention to the different sensations that were occurring in our body.

Javier Rivera-Rosales from Positive Images presented an overview of the trauma informed care they provide to youth up to the age of 24 in our community. Positive Images has provided a safe place for our LGBTQ community members for over 26 years. They provide drop in support groups where members of our community can come and talk about life, coping skills, challenges and how they persevere through these challenges. Positive Images has been well received in our schools and has provided many presentations in our community. Javier shared The Gender Unicorn  and The Genderbread Person with us, which are helpful tools to better understand an individual’s gender identity, expression, biological sex, and physical and emotional attraction.

Karyna Mayora-Linzer provided an update on the MARC Grant and an overview of the next 8 months ahead. She shared that we are on track to meet our goals and deliverables, which are to strengthen ACEs Connection Infrastructure; build community capacity to understand and address ACEs and foster resiliency; and to leverage existing initiatives to align with ACEs prevention and trauma-informed frameworks.

Allen updated us on committees that had met since our last meeting. The membership committee had met and discussed creating an electronic survey to send out to the group to get a better understanding of what it means to be a member of Sonoma County ACEs Connection and where we see ACEs Connection going forward in the future.

Alea Tantarelli discussed the ACEs and Resiliency Fellowship and the upcoming Presenter Training on April 13th.  The Master Trainers have had 4 Community of Practices sessions to date and the next Session is scheduled for April 25^th and will be open to the public.

Folks shared highlights of local trauma-informed efforts, including many ACEs related presentations that were happening locally. Brian Farragher shared that Hanna Institute is hosting a Professional Networking Breakfast. He also shared with us the wonderful work they are doing at Sonoma Charter School. Kate Jenkins shared with everyone about the Dr. Bruce Perry Training on May 19^th in Napa.

Alea Tantarelli mentioned the upcoming conference hosted by the Teen Health Advocacy Coalition (THAC) on May 4^th, 2017. The event titled, The Many Faces of Youth Mental Health: Fostering Solutions, Resiliency & Hope will feature Keynote Speaker Kevin Hines and focus on providing attendees with tangible tools to foster resilience in youth.

Grace Harris shared information about Child Parent Institute’s Annual Blue Ribbon Training & Luncheon scheduled for April 27^th, 2017. This year’s theme will focus on resiliency and will feature Keynote speakers Julie Brand and Judge Patricia Martin.

Kate Jenkins shared her Treasurer’s report.  The Sonoma County ACEs Connection account currently has $8007.13 in the account.

Please post news of your activities on the ACEs Connection webpage.

https://www.pacesconnection.com/...unty-aces-connection

Here are some events and articles you won’t want to miss:

• Sonoma Charter Tackles Social-Emotional Wellbeing

•  Are We Crazy About Our Kids? Documentary Short Film and Panel Discussion

•  Petaluma Health Care District Wins Community Philanthropy Award

• Conference Scholarship for Beyond Paper Tigers