Cissy & Gail -- I'm glad that Cissy suggested elevating this conversation. Here's why -- whatever's not happening in MA, you can bet that it's not happening in most of the rest of the country as well. Yes there are experts scattered about who are doing marvelous work...but as Cissy points out, it involves a great deal of time and money accessing them (not covered by insurance and not always nearby).
Our advocacy work for healing IN FAMILIES is far from over. I also whole-heartedly AGREE with what you said Cissy about parents being the token voice at the table for many, many years...it is in part why ATN was formed, because our voice wasn't taken seriously or valued in the same way as others, even while research is saying that the one nurturing caregiver is the most important resiliency factor there is. And yet...for over two decades we continues to shout...to volunteer...to reach out. We're hoping now that the public is turning to trauma-informed care in many fields that the most important trauma-informing (and supporting) that is needed...within families...is going coming to the forefront.
ATN welcomes conversations about how we can collaborate in meaningful ways to make things better for families...and to promote the importance of attachment-focused parenting, therapies, interventions and supports to help children and families become more resilient.
Julie