December 19, 2024 Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center will host a series titled Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient from January to March and from May to June. Learn More The center’s online course on trauma is designed for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically and each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. The Courses Becoming Trauma Aware discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Becoming Trauma Informed will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building, how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of brain architecture during this stage, and how strong relationships can build resilience. Toward Trauma Proficiency applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Schedule and Registration The three courses will be presented from January to March and again from May to June. The course listings include: Becoming Trauma Aware First session: Wednesday, January 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Register online Becoming Trauma Informed First session: Wednesday, January 29 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online Toward Trauma Proficiency First session: Wednesday, February 12 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online
Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center will host a series titled Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient from January to March and from May to June. Learn More The center’s online course on trauma is designed for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically and each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. The Courses Becoming Trauma Aware discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Becoming Trauma Informed will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building, how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of brain architecture during this stage, and how strong relationships can build resilience. Toward Trauma Proficiency applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Schedule and Registration The three courses will be presented from January to March and again from May to June. The course listings include: Becoming Trauma Aware First session: Wednesday, January 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Register online Becoming Trauma Informed First session: Wednesday, January 29 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online Toward Trauma Proficiency First session: Wednesday, February 12 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online
Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center will host a series titled Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient from January to March and from May to June. Learn More The center’s online course on trauma is designed for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically and each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. The Courses Becoming Trauma Aware discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Becoming Trauma Informed will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building, how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of brain architecture during this stage, and how strong relationships can build resilience. Toward Trauma Proficiency applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Schedule and Registration The three courses will be presented from January to March and again from May to June. The course listings include: Becoming Trauma Aware First session: Wednesday, January 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Register online Becoming Trauma Informed First session: Wednesday, January 29 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online Toward Trauma Proficiency First session: Wednesday, February 12 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online
Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center will host a series titled Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient from January to March and from May to June. Learn More The center’s online course on trauma is designed for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically and each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. The Courses Becoming Trauma Aware discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Becoming Trauma Informed will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building, how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of brain architecture during this stage, and how strong relationships can build resilience. Toward Trauma Proficiency applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Schedule and Registration The three courses will be presented from January to March and again from May to June. The course listings include: Becoming Trauma Aware First session: Wednesday, January 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Register online Becoming Trauma Informed First session: Wednesday, January 29 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online Toward Trauma Proficiency First session: Wednesday, February 12 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online
Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center will host a series titled Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient from January to March and from May to June. Learn More The center’s online course on trauma is designed for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically and each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. The Courses Becoming Trauma Aware discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Becoming Trauma Informed will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building, how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of brain architecture during this stage, and how strong relationships can build resilience. Toward Trauma Proficiency applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Schedule and Registration The three courses will be presented from January to March and again from May to June. The course listings include: Becoming Trauma Aware First session: Wednesday, January 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Register online Becoming Trauma Informed First session: Wednesday, January 29 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online Toward Trauma Proficiency First session: Wednesday, February 12 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online
Theiss Training Center: Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed and Proficient The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center will host a series titled Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient from January to March and from May to June. Learn More The center’s online course on trauma is designed for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically and each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three. Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses. The Courses Becoming Trauma Aware discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself. Becoming Trauma Informed will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building, how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of brain architecture during this stage, and how strong relationships can build resilience. Toward Trauma Proficiency applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services. Schedule and Registration The three courses will be presented from January to March and again from May to June. The course listings include: Becoming Trauma Aware First session: Wednesday, January 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Register online Becoming Trauma Informed First session: Wednesday, January 29 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, May 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online Toward Trauma Proficiency First session: Wednesday, February 12 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Register online Second session: Thursday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register online
November 2, 2023 How To Address War and Traumatic Experiences With Children Children always look to their caregivers for a sense of safety during scary and vulnerable times. Oftentimes, the caregivers are informing their children how to respond in these situations. Therefore, parents and caregivers must have the right resources to help their children process and work through these big emotions. Between war, conflict, and traumatic experiences happening in and out of the home, there are several new and scary experiences children are being exposed to. ZERO TO THREE has free resources for families and caregivers, and professionals who support them, that offer guidance on helping young children grieve and process traumatic experiences. Learn More How To Talk To Your Children About Conflict and War, UNICEF A Big Impact on Little Kids: Understanding How Traumatic Experiences Affect Very Young Children, ZERO TO THREE How To Talk To Your Children About War, ZERO TO THREE Little Listeners in an Uncertain World, ZERO TO THREE Helping Toddlers Cope With Grief and Death, ZERO TO THREE Mindfulness and Self Care: Building a Resilient Community and Culture of Caring, ZERO TO THREE Children’s Book: Once I Was Very Very Scared by Chandra Gosh Ippen, available in several languages Related Resources Discussing Violence, Protests, and Police Brutality with Young Children Understanding Child Trauma, NCTSI Complex Trauma: Facts for Caregivers, NCTSN Social-Emotional Development: Family Resources
July 11, 2023 The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Prevention Tactics Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a lasting impact on a child’s life. Fortunately, agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide strategies and resources to help define ACEs and to help caregivers and child care providers prevent traumatic experiences as much as possible before they happen, identify children whom have experienced ACEs, and respond to these experiences using trauma-informed approaches. What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? ACEs are traumatic events or circumstances that occur during childhood. These experiences can range from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, household substance abuse, domestic violence, and parental separation or divorce, among others. Through research conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente, it has been revealed that traumatic experiences have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. ACEs can vary depending on the child and environment in which the child grows and learns. Some experiences can be witnessed directly, such as experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect or witnessing violence in the home or community. These experiences can also include aspects of the child’s environment that take away from a child’s sense of safety, stability, and bonding. ACEs and associated social determinants of health, such as living in under-resourced or racially segregated neighborhoods, can cause toxic stress (extended or prolonged stress). Toxic stress from ACEs can negatively affect children’s brain development, immune systems, and stress-response systems. Recognizing and addressing ACEs is important for promoting individual and societal well-being. Creating safe and nurturing environments for children, ensuring access to quality healthcare and mental health services, and implementing trauma-informed approaches in various settings are vital steps in preventing and addressing ACEs. Risk Protective Factors Risk factors are defined as things that increase the likelihood of experiencing ACEs. Protective factors are defined as things that protect people and decrease the possibility of experiencing ACEs. Individual, family, and community factors can affect the likelihood of these experiences, but they may or may not be direct causes of ACEs. Because ACEs include many different types of experiences and traumatic events, there are many risk and protective factors that apply to the range of different ACEs. Learn more about Individual, Family, Community Risk and Protective Factors from the CDC. Prevention Strategies for Children CDC has developed a resource to help states and communities take advantage of the best available evidence to prevent ACEs. It features six strategies from the CDC Technical Packages to Prevent Violence. Strengthen Economic Supports to Families: Community organizations such as faith-based and youth-serving organizations can promote policies that support families facing financial problems or help parents balance work and family responsibilities, which reduce stress and allow parents to meet children’s basic needs. Promote Social Norms That Protect Against Violence and Adversity: Encourage community organizations such as youth-serving and faith-based organizations, coaches, and caregivers to promote non-violent attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Ensure a Strong Start for Children: Involved parents, strong preschool programs, and good quality childcare get children started on the right foot and help them succeed later in life. Youth-serving and faith-based organizations can contribute to this as well. Teach Healthy Relationship Skills: Children and caregivers can both learn how to create healthy relationships and manage their emotions. Connect Children to Caring Adults and Activities: Community organizations connect young people with positive role models and provide activities for young people to learn leadership and other new skills. Communities can help young people grow and succeed at school and in life, such as getting children involved in after-school activities. Intervene to Lessen Immediate and Long-Term Harms: When ACEs occur, community organizations, can offer services and support to reduce harms and help break the cycle of adversity, including providing therapy to reduce symptoms of depression, fear or anxiety, and behavior problems. By recognizing and addressing ACEs, parents and child care providers can create a bright future for children and promote resilience, healing, and well-being. Visit the CDC website for more information about childhood trauma prevention and ACEs Resources.
June 1, 2023 Resources for June Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for June observances: Month-Long Observances Caribbean American Heritage Month Caribbean American History and Culture, U.S. Department of the Interior Global Diasporas: Contemporary African and Caribbean Migration – Organizations & Resources in Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Library System On the Town: Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage, PBS Top 10 Caribbean American Heritage Month Activities, Twinkl 19 Books to Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage, Scholastic Caribbean American Heritage Month Lesson Plans, Share My Lesson Anti-Racism Tools, Trying Together Inclusive Language Guidelines, American Psychological Association (APA) National Men’s Health Month 5-Minute Guide to Men’s Mental Health, Mental Health America Man 2.0: Normalizing Self-Care for Men, Healthline Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health: Recommendations for A Healthier You, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trans Men Health Screening Recommendations, AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Resources for Supporting Physical Activity, Nutrition, Play and More, Action for Healthy Kids Promoting the Physical Health of Boys (and Girls), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National PTSD Awareness Month Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) When a Child’s Parent has PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs It’s Not Just Exhaustion: When Parenting Causes PTSD, Healthline Allegheny County Crisis Response Resources, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After a Recent Shooting, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Pride Month Pittsburgh Pride 2023, Pittsburgh Pride Revolution 6 Things LGBTQ Youth Want Allies To Do This Pride, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLESEN) Sharing Pride Month with Kids: 9 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month, Boys & Girls Clubs of America LGBTQ Activism and Contributions, Library of Congress The LGBTQ+ Experience, PBS Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Gender, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Trying Together Physical and Mental Health Services Related to the LGBTQ Community, Allegheny County Department of Human Services LGBTQ+ Youth Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) LGBTQ Resource List, GLAAD Here’s How to be an Ally to the LGBTQ Community, USA Today Pronoun Guide, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLESEN) LGBTQ Glossary, John Hopkins University: Diversity and Inclusion Resources Child Vision Awareness Month 6 Ways to Be Proactive About Your Child’s Eye Health, John Hopkins Medicine Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children, Library of Congress: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Early Childhood Inclusion, Trying Together Parenting with a Visual Impairment, BBC Parenting Without Sight: What Attorneys and Social Workers Should Know About Blindness, National Federation of the Blind Accessing Audio Books, Teaching Students with Visual Impairments How to Get Free Audio Books for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Braille Institute 25+ Children’s Books Featuring Visually Impaired Characters, WonderBaby Weeks of Recognition June 1 – 7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week CPR Facts & Statistics, American Heart Association How to Perform Child and Baby CPR, American Red Cross Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 Partnering to Offer First Aid & CPR Training, ELRC Region 5 June 12 – 18 is National Men’s Health Week 5 Ways to Celebrate Men’s Health Week, National Foundation for Cancer Research How To Support Men For National Men’s Health Week, Better Health The Masculinity Project, John Hopkins University A Father’s Guide to Raising Good Men, CNN See additional resources under “National Men’s Health Month.” Days of Recognition June 18 is Father’s Day 53 Best Father’s Day Activities That’ll Be Fun for the Whole Family, Good Housekeeping The 8 Best Things Dads Can Do for Themselves in Honor of Father’s Day, Everyday Health Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together What Father’s Day Means to a Transgender Parent, NPR Column: Fatherhood Takes Many Forms, Traditional and Not, These Days, Los Angeles Times Father’s Day When Father Isn’t There, L.A. Parent June 19 is Juneteenth Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday, The New York Times Pittsburgh Celebrates Juneteenth Freedom Day, Visit Pittsburgh 5 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth With Your Family, PBS Kids for Parents 20 Educational Resources and Activities for Teaching Juneteenth, Teaching Expertise NMAAHC Kids: Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Children’s Books to Honor Juneteenth and Black History, Harper Collins Publishers Top 10 Children’s Books on Freedom, Bookroo Juneteenth Resources, The Smithsonian Institution How Do You Explain Slavery to Kids?, National Geographic Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence, The Child Mind Institute Anti-Racism Resources for Families, Trying Together June 27 is National PTSD Awareness Day What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?, National Institute of Mental Health Resources on Trauma for Caregivers and Families, Child Welfare Information Gateway Multilingual Trauma Resources, The Child Mind Institute Children’s Books for Coping with Abuse and Trauma, Creating a Family See additional resources under, “National PTSD Awareness Month.”
February 24, 2023 Healing Hearts: Supporting Parents and Caregivers with Grieving Children Hearts Connected is offering this webinar for parents or caregivers of children who have lost a loved one. A child life specialist will discuss what to expect from children when they are grieving and offer guidance on ways to help them work through common emotions and responses. Session Details Wednesday, March 1 | 2 – 3 p.m. Virtual via Zoom Register Learn More To learn more, visit the Hearts Connected website.
