Learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences at Virtual Workshops

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops during March regarding adverse childhood experiences with the goal of educating the public, supporting trauma survivors, and offering tips for prevention and healing within the community.  The workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, which facilitates the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, will be offered virtually over Zoom in English, Tuesday, March 19^th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, March 20^th, 2:00 p.m.  A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Thursday, March 21^st, 2:00 p.m., will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population.  Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed.  All workshops are free and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details. 

 

The Connections Matter curriculum invites providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency.  Discussion during the workshops will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrating how caring connections can serve as a primary buffer in the negative effects of trauma.  The training is appropriate for parents and providers raising and teaching school aged children.

 

During the Understanding ACEs workshop, parents, caregivers, and other community providers will learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan. All three workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. 

 

Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resiliency.  Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized as falling into three distinct categories, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.  Examples of negative behavior said to result from ACEs include smoking, alcoholism, drug use, absenteeism, and lack of physical activity.  These behaviors can cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems, from diabetes to cancer to suicidal thoughts.  It is estimated that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is bringing together professionals, providers, and parents who are committed to increasing awareness of the impact of childhood trauma on juvenile development, future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.  “Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive by providing education and training on adverse childhood experiences and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology. The tools identified in these workshops can positively impact public health, safety, and productivity, and reduce public and private costs now and for future generations.”

 

National Organization Awards Grant to Project Self-Sufficiency

 

Parents as Teachers, one of the nation's premier home-visiting program, announced the recipients of their 2024 Challenge Grants, marking the beginning of their 40th anniversary with their "Investing in the Power of Families" initiative. Project Self-Sufficiency was one of only two organizations from the state of New Jersey to be selected to receive a grant from Parents as Teachers, and one of twenty nationwide to receive a grant of $50,000. The agency will allocate the funds towards the purchase vehicles for agency home visitors to use when they visit mothers of young children in Sussex and Hunterdon Counties.

 

This three-pronged initiative by Parents as Teachers aims to restore post pandemic family enrollments in affiliates’ home visiting services, enhance mental and physical health support services, and foster systemic positive changes through engaged parent leaders.

 

“Transportation to and from our participants’ homes is crucial to the success of our home visitation programs,” remarked Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “We are looking forward to strengthening our outreach to mothers of young children in need and continuing to help these families to develop the skills for success, thanks to the funds received from Parents as Teachers.”

 

The Challenge Grants, totaling $1.75 million, were competitively awarded to 62 Parents as Teachers affiliates across categories, including Combating Maternal and Infant Mortality, Family Leadership Development, Workforce Development, Program Quality Improvement, Marketing/Communication Support, PBS Partnerships, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIA).

 

Constance Gully, President & CEO of Parents as Teachers, shared, "We believe in the power of families to shape the future. These grants avail unique opportunities for our affiliates to make lasting impacts based on the voice of families in their communities."

 

This initiative is part of Parents as Teachers' ongoing commitment to providing quality early childhood services, engaging families, and building stronger communities. As Parents as Teachers enters its 40th year, these grants symbolize a renewed dedication to the organization's mission and the families it serves.

 

 In addition to the grants, Parents as Teachers has activities planned throughout 2024, celebrating this milestone year under the theme of “Born to Learn: Power of the Past- Building for the Future.” The organization also announced that they will not be increasing service fees for the 2024-25 program year and will be continuing to share more innovations and events in coming months.

 

The application process challenged affiliates with submitting proposals aligned to specific categories to the Parents as Teachers National Center, who carefully reviewed and selected organizations who applied.

 

Family Fun Nights Focus on March Holidays

 

Parents who are looking for affordable ways to entertain the kids are invited to check out the free Family Fun Nights hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency on Thursday evenings in March, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., 127 Mill Street, Newton.  Families are invited to enjoy games, activities, and crafts with a focus on March holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day, March 7^th, 14^th and 28th.  A special event to highlight the coming of spring will be held on March 21st.  Dinner will be provided for all participants.  Advance registration is encouraged by calling Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500. Family Fun Nights are a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency.

 

“These weekly Family Fun Nights offer parents and children a place to relax and have a good time together in a safe and supportive environment,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “The focus on spring holidays invites children to express themselves creatively through fun crafts and activities while having fun with their family.”