December 2016

It is true most of the time that out of anguish grows hope bursting into the consciousness of all those feeling helpless around the tableau of violence. And so in 2008 San Diego community members were horrified and devastated by the shooting deaths of Monique Palmer and Michael Taylor then in less than 3 months the shooting death of Hannah Podhorsky all just high school students. These community members determined to support the families but also the traumatized community Pastor Rene Colon,...

We at Harmonium value the simple ways we can integrate trauma-informed practices throughout our organization’s culture. Ensuring that staff connect trauma-informed practices to the Agency’s mission, core values, and initiatives helps to integrate mindful practice into our daily interactions. First and foremost, our workforce is about individuals. Hosting a Tea for Two with all 22 staff housed in Harmonium’s Administrative Office was a great way to get to know staff as individuals and not...

A school in San Diego uses a “facility dog” to offer children a kind of healing that humans sometimes cannot provide. It used to take Mary Skrabucha five minutes to walk across the campus of The O’Farrell Charter School in San Diego. Now it takes her twenty, because with Sejera — a golden retriever  — by her side, kids and teachers are constantly stopping to say hello. Sejera isn’t your average friendly retriever. She’s a trained “facility dog” who works with Skrabucha in Family Support...

After seven years, the San Diego Trauma Informed Guide Team (SD-TIGT) had evolved and grown significantly, as had the trauma informed movement. Upon reviewing the initial Strategic Plan, developed in 2009, it was found that it was time for this document to be revised. A dedicated group of core members began meeting with the daunting task of updating the Mission, Vision, and Goals. In November 2015, the SD-TIGT was fortunate enough to be one of 14 Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities...

When: January 31 – February 3, 2017 Where: Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina,San Diego, California Link for information: http://www.sandiegoconference.org/ If you're interested in expanding your knowledge around ACEs and Trauma Informed Practices as well as networking with people around the world, then please consider this conference in beautiful San Diego. This is where I was first introduced to ACEs and inspired by all the great work being done to inform the public.

City Heights youth leaders from Youth Voice met with women leaders from eight countries who visited the San Diego Diplomacy Council on their tour of the United States to learn about and promote citizen safety, economic opportunity, social justice and environmental sustainability. The members of the European delegation came from Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Jessica and Lizette, Youth Voice leaders, shared their expertise on the...

Rady Children's Behavioral Health Urgent Care Hours of Operation Walk-in clinic: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday 4305 University Avenue, Suite 150 San Diego, CA 92105 Tel: (858) 966-5484 Fax: (858) 966-5482 Follow up visits by appointment only Closed weekends and Holidays WHO WE SERVE The Behavioral Health Urgent Care serves children, teens and their families struggling with urgent emotional and/or behavioral concerns posing a risk to their safety or the safety of others or creating...

On October 29, 2016 close to 100 community members and activist participated in a community forum to discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences and pathways to Resilience. The session was held at the new Skyline library at 7900 Paradise Valley Road. The day began with the county of San Diego Department of Health Services designating San Diego Black Health Associates as A Live Well San Diego Partner. The forum is the second of three forums to address information, reshape attitudes and stimulate...

Recalling Mary and Joseph as “illegal immigrants” seeking shelter, San Diego’s Roman Catholic leader made a pilgrimage to the border Saturday to share words of hope and solidarity. “We are praying and hoping that the policies which emerge from the new administration will be focused upon deporting those who have committed crimes,” Bishop Robert McElroy said, “and that they will not begin mass deportations of young people that have lived their lives here and know nothing other than that.”...

The County of San Diego is currently developing a new website that will make it easier to access county services, by improving communication and customer service. A new county website, dubbed Connect Well San Diego will be up and running by 2017, according to County Health and Human Services. The website will take advantage of new technologies to create an electronic information sharing hub. The hub will allow County staff and contractors to communicate better with each other as well as...