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Positive & Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACES) Hawai‘i
He ‘a‘ali‘i kū makani mai au; ‘a‘ohe makani nāna e kūla‘i.
I am a wind-withstanding ‘a‘ali‘i; no wind can topple me over.

Blog

*Risk & Protective Factor Research* Connection between childhood trauma & hunger

This is a fascinating research piece from the American Journal of Public Health that draws the connection between certain risk factors (child sexual abuse, household dysfunction and other ACE categories) and adult and child hunger. It is dated (2004), but it does highlight the need for protective factors as a successful strategy in building wellness and resilience. I am highlighting this research piece because of the issue with inflation, housing and food insecurity, we need to uplift...

Hawaiʻi becomes a TIC state!

The Office of Wellness and Resilience , was celebrated today at the Hoʻokupu Center , marking a three year journey in Hawaiʻi becoming a Trauma-Informed State! SB2482 , introduced by Senator Donovan Delacruz and signed by Governor Ige, creates an office that is tasked with building wellness and resilience in the State of Hawaiʻi through a cross-sector/public and private partnership strategy that embeds Hawaiʻiʻs rich cultural practices (Native Hawaiian and other ethnicities) of healing with...

Vital Signs: Drug Overdose Deaths, by Selected Sociodemographic and Social Determinants of Health Characteristics — 25 States and the District of Columbia, 2019–2020 (cdc.gov)

Summary What is already known about this topic? Drug overdose deaths increased 30% in the United States from 2019 to 2020. Known health disparities exist in overdose mortality rates, particularly among certain racial/ethnic minority populations. What is added by this report? From 2019 to 2020, overdose death rates increased by 44% and 39% among non-Hispanic Black (Black) and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native persons, respectively. As county-level income inequality increased,...

Emerging from the pandemic- Raising awareness in our early learning environments

This is a great article to raise awareness both language and social emotional development for our early learners and their 'ohana. The mask mandate (I am an advocate for wearing a mask) could potential stunt the socio-emotional growth of a child. This is why it is so important for parents in the safety of the home, help their keiki with the learning and reading of social and emotional cues. Early childhood educators should consider providing resources to caregivers to help families with...

Awareness . . . Policy & Action!

This is a great article that highlights the need to addresses the need for awareness and to grow mental health practices in Hawai'i. The article mentions the five-year Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health (IECBH) Plan that integrates mental health and trauma-informed care into the health and early learning systems throughout the state. A cross-sector approach to building wellness and resilience is definitely trauma-informed. Mahalo to Justina Acevedo-Cross and Erin Henderson Lacerdo...

CRI Resilience Showcase Conference 6/29 & 39

May is, "Mental Health Wellness" month. I will be showcasing conferences and professional development opportunities that address mental health awareness by addressing and building wellness. The amazing folks at the Community Resilience Initiative are putting on their 7th annual Paper Tigers Conference. It is a virtual event that features experts from across the nation (including Hawai'i speakers) who are building wellness and resilience in their states. To register click on this link .

Kahewai Summit

Aloha, We are having our 2nd Annual "Kahewai 0-5 Wellness and Resilience Summit on Thursday April This conference is for the 0-5 providers (Family Childcare, Family Child Interactive Learning, Home Visiting and Center-based care). Our theme this year is, "Hā" or "breath." The pandemic has been challenging for all of us, this virtual conference will focus on three types of breath: - "Catching our breath." We have been through the "COVID" sprints and we simply need to breath to restore...

When we understand . . . we can address, heal and provide hope.

This https://thomashuebl.com/why-covid-stress-feels-uniquely-painful/ by Thomas Hubl provides an interesting insight on the toll taken by COVID-19. As mask restrictions and social distancing standards begin to lift throughout our state, there are many who still feel the stress, tension, anxiety, and trauma of the last two years. Hubl, defines Collective Trauma as, “ . . . a sudden shock upends not just one person’s life, but everyone in the community.” Collective trauma as the article...

Schatz, Murkowski applaud Senate passage of historic tribal provisions in Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (indiancountrytoday.com)

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, released the following statements on inclusion of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA) in a bipartisan appropriations deal. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022’s tribal provisions will restore justice for Native...

Hā- "Just breath . . . "

“ The breath is a tool and can be used in many ways. Some types of breathing exercises definitely improve stress and anxiety. Just cross out “deep” and insert some other modifiers." - Julia Enguland Strait, PhD. I hope this post does not offend people who begin workshops or meetings with "deep breathing" exercises, it is not my intention. When I began zoom trainings during the pandemic, I would often start with a "Hanu/Hā" or breathing in and out to begin the session, for example, "4-7-8"...

High-quality early education . . . a key protective factor

80-85% of a child's brain is formed in the first 1,000 days of life. This is the time that we need to take care of our keiki (children), but who is taking care of the caregivers? It is difficult to "grow the field" when the wages earned in early education cannot meet the most basic needs of providers. This HPR link shares potential Hawai'i legislation that will address the challenges that early childhood care providers.

SB2482. The Office of Wellness and Resilience

Aloha, In 2021, the State of Hawaiʻi legislature passed a law to create the ACT 209 Task Force. This interagency task force was given the charge to present recommendations that would create a trauma-informed care state. SB2482 , submitted by Ways and Means Chair, Senator Donovan Dela Cruz would create the Office of Wellness and Resilience. This office would carry forward the recommendations of the task force and truly set the infrastructure to perpetuate trauma-informed care practices in...

Evidence-based treatments in the Child Welfare System

Connecticut’s Family First Prevention Services plan provides an opportunity to build an array of effective behavioral health treatments and other services for those children most at-risk for foster home placement with the goal of keeping families together. This is a link to an article from Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut that provides insights on the effectiveness of EBT. There are also three solid recommendations in the article including collaboration, training and...

Save the Date!!! TIC 0-5 Virtual Conference 4/21 & 22!

Aloha Kākou! The Kahewai Summit was a success last year and we are pleased to announce the 2nd annual virtual conference! Please spread the word and let me know if you are interested in presenting or if you have a speaker you would like to recommend. The theme of our conference this year is, "Hā" or "breath." We will have a wide range of speakers from Kānaka perspectives as well as western sciences that will speak to the "breath of life." Here is a link to the "Save the Date" info- please...

"Pour out from our saucer"

I hear the expression, "make sure that your cup is getting filled," but that means we might be at a point where our cup is empty or half empty and needs to be filled. The caution is always given that if you are "thirsty in the desert, it is too late you are dehydrated." So in theory, we should always be practicing self-care so that we are pouring out to those we serve because we are "overflowing" from our own "cup." I know optimistic yet ideal target to shoot for in our daily life. One way...

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