ACEs, Resilience, and Trauma-Informed Interactions with Youth

National statistics show that more than 60% of children are exposed to at least one traumatic event by the time they are 16.

Register here: ACEs, Resilience, and Trauma-Informed Interactions with Youth Tickets, Fri, May 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

National statistics tell us that more than 60% of children are exposed to a traumatic event by the time they are 16 and more than 30% are exposed to multiple traumatic events. There is significant evidence that early life stressors can cause enduring brain dysfunction that, in turn, affects health and quality of life throughout the lifespan. Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in depression and anxiety, both results of elevated stress responses, among youth. The good news is the presence of protective factors, such as a supportive adult or environment, provide a powerful buffer to youth from the intense stress or anxiety that may occur when they are exposed to ongoing adversities and trauma.

After a quick review of the basics of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impact on child development, this workshop will enhance practitioners' understanding of resilience protective factors and will offer trauma-informed strategies for interacting with youth. This workshop will also include a discussion about the ethics of trauma-informed care.

* Participants will increase their understanding of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impact on child development

*Participants will increase their understanding of resilience

*Participants will increase their knowledge about resilience protective factors and trauma-informed strategies

*Participants will increase their understanding of the ethics of trauma-informed care

About the presenters:

Allegra Hirsh-Wright, MSW, LCSW

Allegra Hirsh-Wright is the Clinical and Training Manager in the Department of Clinical Innovation at Maine Behavioral Healthcare and is a licensed clinical social worker with over fifteen years of experience working in the field of trauma. Ms. Hirsh-Wright is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of trauma-informed care, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and professional resilience and has presented on the topics in both national and local fora. Ms. Hirsh-Wright has expertise in direct clinical practice providing treatment to children and families who have been exposed to trauma and is a nationally certified clinician, supervisor, and consultant in multiple child trauma treatment models. Ms. Hirsh-Wright has extensive experience facilitating organizational, community, and state-wide change efforts related to evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care. Ms. Hirsh-Wright sits on multiple state and national committees and Boards that focus on childhood exposure to trauma, trauma-informed care, and resilience, and she has authored multiple resources on the topics of STS and resilience. Ms. Hirsh-Wright is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Maine’s School of Social Work and is a lover of all things orange.

Rebecca Hoffmann Frances, MA, LMFT

Rebecca Hoffmann Frances is the Senior Director of Clinical Innovation and Training at Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) in Portland Maine and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. Rebecca earned both her Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over twenty years of experience working in behavioral health.

As an organizational leader, Ms. Hoffmann Frances oversees employee learning for over a thousand MBH staff as well as leading community and state-wide innovation and change efforts related to behavioral health. These innovation endeavors have a particular focus on the adoption of evidence-based practices and the use of implementation science principles. In addition, she manages large federally funded behavioral health research and service grants that focus on providing care and treatment for children and families that have been exposed to trauma. These programs focus on the prevention of childhood exposure to violence, the implementation of evidence-based trauma treatment, and fostering professional resiliency. Rebecca has extensive training and practice in the fields of childhood trauma, professional resilience, community coalition building, adult learning, and implementation science. She has published numerous resources related to child traumatic stress.