NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — Project Self-Sufficiency will offer two free virtual workshops in November to educate parents, professionals and community members about the effects of childhood trauma and ways to promote resilience and prevent its long-term consequences.
The “Connections Matter” workshops will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. in English and Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. in Spanish. Both sessions will take place on Zoom and are open to the public.
The workshops will focus on adverse childhood experiences, commonly known as ACEs, and their effects on social, emotional and cognitive development. Presenters will also discuss strategies for building resilience and creating supportive relationships that can help protect children from the negative effects of trauma.
Adverse childhood experiences are generally divided into three categories: abuse, neglect and household dysfunction. According to Project Self-Sufficiency, approximately 67% of the population is estimated to have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.
The organization said ACEs can contribute to behaviors such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, absenteeism and physical inactivity. Those behaviors can increase the risk of physical and mental health problems, including diabetes, cancer and suicidal thoughts.
The Connections Matter curriculum encourages parents, service providers and community members to develop caring relationships that help strengthen resilience. The workshops will explain how supportive connections can serve as a buffer against the negative effects of childhood trauma.
The training is designed for parents and professionals who raise, teach or work with school-aged children. The workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.
Project Self-Sufficiency said the initiative is intended to bring together parents, professionals and service providers to increase awareness of how childhood trauma can affect development, future experiences with violence, lifelong health and opportunities.
“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 Chief Executive Officer 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.”
Both workshops are free and open to the public. Those interested in participating can call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to receive Zoom login information.
Additional information about Project Self-Sufficiency is available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org.
