Thanks Cissy for the tag.
Hello Denise & all in this post, I recently presented here in Concord, NH for this event - BHI Learning Collaborative event on Trauma Informed Care on Wednesday, May 1st at the UNH School of Law in Room 282.
Please know, I have presented all across this state [and the US] since 1993 in efforts to raise awareness on the impact of trauma and abuse, later on the ACE's Study came along to help with that. Have presented in several of the universities, colleges and high schools here over the years. So there is a thirst for this knowledge, how to keep the flow going is key.
Have worked a lot over the years with the folks from the National Center for Trauma Informed Care in presenting training[s] on Trauma Informed Peer Support and Trauma Informed Communities/Practices, etc, in many states, including as far away as Hawaii.
More info posted here - http://www.mskinnermusic.com/home/
There are some great folks & organizations in NH doing some wonderful things, but we still have a long ways to go in changing the paradigm here, too many entrenched players still hold to the mantra of, 'what is wrong with you', the 'mental illness', shame, blame mindset.
Please know, I am not cynical, just pragmatic from too many years of seeing the same old, same old, despite some wonderful works from a lot of talented folks. That said, I'm not giving up, just rethinking how to approach this moving forward. I'm in Goffstown, right near Manchester...so if you would want to chat, brainstorm, need names to contact, etc, I would be more than welcome to share that info with you. The feedback and kudos I received after presenting at the above mentioned event in Concord, let me know there are folks out there looking to implement trauma informed care and practices across the state. So Felicity Bernard & Kelsi West at the Institute for Health Policy and Practice- https://www.citizenshealthinitiative.org/ would be a good place to start and more than happy to connect you with them.
It is encouraging to hear them talk on the NH newscasts, talks shows, news articles of students and the awareness of trauma in their lives, but it is the next steps to help them in the healing is VIP and breaking the cycle is sorely needed.
Take care, Michael Skinner mikeskinner@comcast.net