Project Self-Sufficiency
will continue the workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”,
designed to facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding adverse
childhood experiences, with virtual sessions offered over Zoom in English, Tuesday,
November 14th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Thursday, November 16th,
2:00 p.m. Sessions are free and open to
the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive
log-in details.
Participants
will explore the Connections
Matter curriculum, a program funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families
and led by Prevent Child Abuse
New Jersey designed to invite providers, parents, and community members to build
caring connections to improve resiliency.
Discussion will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and
demonstrate 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.
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.
