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Dr. Vincent Felitti speaks in Hagerstown, MD

 

On Monday, March 21, 2016, over 400 social workers, educators and more filled the gymnasium of Bester Elementary School in Hagerstown, MD, as leading trauma experts from across the nation linked findings from the ACE Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences) with staggering proof of health, social, and economic problems resulting later in life. The event was coordinated by Bester Community of Hope, a broad-based initiative committed to supporting the children, families and residents of the Bester neighborhood in Hagerstown, MD.

Dr. Vincent Felitti, co-principal investigator of the ACE Study, shared the findings of his research which involved over 17,000 participants and has become influential in demonstrating the need for effectively responding to childhood traumas early. 

Patsy Sellars leads a

Patsy Sellars, Casey Family Programs, presented information on key concepts in neurodevelopment and emotional regulation.  She also showed a clip of the new movie, Resilience, and discussed the importance of understanding concepts of resilience.

Dr. Jerry Yager, Denver’s Children’s Advocacy Center, wrapped up the day discussing how traumatic events shape neurodevelopment and behavior.   He stressed the critical role adults can play when working with children who may have experienced trauma.

The conference was sponsored by the Community Foundation of Washington County, San Mar Children’s Home, Washington County Office of Grants Management, The Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Foundation, and Casey Family Programs.

Presentation materials including PowerPoint presentations, links to additional trauma informed information and recommendations by Dr. Felitti can be found at www.sanmarhome.org/news.html.

http://www.heraldmailmedia.com...8e-b3f8ad2f6407.html

http://www.your4state.com/news...ild-abuse-and-trauma

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Images (3)
  • Dr. Vincent Felitti: Dr. Felitti discusses the ACE Study with Bruce Anderson, CEO, San Mar Children's Home
  • Patsy Sellars leads a "brain break": Patsy Sellars, Casey Family Programs, leads a group of 400 in brain stimulating activity
  • Dr. Jerry Yager and Keith Fanjoy, Bester Community of Hope

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Comments (3)

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Brenda, or others, I would like  to work with agencies and schools on the Eastern Shore to promote trauma informed classrooms.  I work in a district that struggles with out-of-control youth but there seems to be little or no  awareness of the impact of ACEs.  Are there more experienced people here I could connect with?

-Jonathan Williams, Easton

Jonathan Willias posted:

Brenda, or others, I would like  to work with agencies and schools on the Eastern Shore to promote trauma informed classrooms.  I work in a district that struggles with out-of-control youth but there seems to be little or no  awareness of the impact of ACEs.  Are there more experienced people here I could connect with?

-Jonathan Williams, Easton

Hi Jonathan,

Yes, I do believe we have some other Maryland ACE Group members who have experience working with community on ACEs.  I don't want to speak for them - hopefully they will see this and reply.  Or you could write a column on what you hope to do and ask for input.  I am in the last year of my graduate school program on Clinical Mental Health Counseling.  It has my full attention right now!  I have, from time to time, reached out to my own kids' public school system, MCPS in Montgomery County, to address ACE-related issues.  It was an uphill battle until last year, when they finally began to listen.  It wasn't me who changed them -- it was all the scandal related to child sexual abuse predators in the schools, the publicity, the public outcry (including my own for several years).  They are ever-so-slowly moving in the direction that all schools need to go, but it's still a struggle.  One school at a time right now, things are changing as principals who are more emotionally intelligent are replacing older, hard-line principals who think kids' behavior is about "bad kids."  There's plenty more to do here, but for now, I have to focus on finishing my degree.  I love your purpose and mission.

Brenda

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