From across Minnesota, across ages, experiences, cultures, races, and ethnicities, we came together. As we learn about ACEs and how this knowledge can help us as individuals and our communities to heal, we strengthen and support each other to be agents of that healing.

Resilience at work. What does it mean to be trauma-informed at work? How is it defined and assessed? How do we measure success? What policies, protocols, and training exist? How does becoming trauma-informed change us and our work? We share the nuts and bolts of becoming a trauma-informed organization and our struggles, questions, and successes, too.

Here's a place where you can review books, educational dvds and documentaries that relate to ACE concepts or trauma-informed practices. "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." ~ Nelson Mandela

Join in conversations inspired by Donna Jackson Nakazawa's book, Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal. We'll chat about the latest research on how ACEs can affect our health, happiness, and relationships; vent a little; and brainstorm our best ideas for resiliency and healing.

The Chisago County ACEs Initiative is a collaborative group of cross-sector partners coming together. We are passionate about making a difference in our community. This initiative aims to move from ideas to action.

We share information and exchange ideas related to adverse childhood experiences, trauma and resilience that lead to practical and community-centered solutions in Minnesota.

Identify and promote practices that build child caregiver capabilities and improve child outcomes including: the impact of childcare business decisions; building child caregiver skills and resilience; child caregiver turnover; child caregiver ACE histories and healthy boundaries in the workplace.

How do we honor both lived & learned expertise to break down barriers between parents & professionals? How do PACE-impacted families best access healing, hope & health? How might parent education, training, & support services if co-created with families & in community?

Our goal is to begin a dialogue around the topic of trauma and resiliency and create a shared language and understanding of effective responses to trauma. Together we can create a united, yet community-customized approach to the integration of trauma informed care in communities all across South Dakota.

Our holistic movement increases the understanding of ACEs across all of our community sectors to integrate trauma-informed practices, build resilience and provide hope for future generations.