Page 22 - Abacoa Community News - October '23

Page 22, Abacoa
Connecting Children To Safety

What Is This Decade Teaching insecurity, racism, discrimination, political unrest, and We connect when we interact. The center offers
Us So Far? That Connection youth suicides are still on the rise – with war and genocide online training and resources for teachers, parents, and
leading the nightly news. These experiences, even the
caregivers to assist with connection through social-
Can Be Our Safe Shelter knowledge of them, are potentially traumatic, and without emotional behavior support and interventions. A Way of
balance from positive influences, may cause long-term Being with Children: A Trauma-Informed Approach to
By Renée Layman, health consequences for our children and teens. Building Resilience is an online curriculum consisting
President and CEO How can kids feel safe and hopeful when they are of a manual, live workshops, and public campaign
of Center for Child also the primary targets of sex traffickers and school designed to support anyone who regularly interacts with
Counseling shootings? It’s a question we wrestle with daily in our children and families. The resources promote everyday
After seeing mission to bring children to safety and healing within practices that connect to and support children’s emotional
fi rsthand how their homes, schools, and community. needs while helping them grow more resilient. For more
the effects of Building hope and resilience for the future means information, visit centerforchildcounseling.org/training.
isolation, division, creating a community where all children and families We connect when we talk. The center also offers free
and detachment feel loved, safe, protected and connected. As we continue online workshops, tip sheets, and videos that address
are altering to emerge from the pandemic, we must actively develop ongoing fears and stressors, including the hardest topics
our children’s positive social connections, particularly for children, to discuss with children, such as: self-harm and suicidal
experience of the world and their hope for a safe place in families, and communities who have experienced an thoughts, war and violence, frequent school shootings,
it, Center for Child Counseling has made connection and overabundance of grief and trauma. sexual abuse, death, grief, divorce, and loss. You can access
safety the center of supporting children’s mental health. As CEO of Center for Child Counseling, a local these resources at: centerforchildcounseling.org/resources.
We all wish we could say it’s getting better. But nonprofit, we have been dedicated to transforming the We ask you to join us in connecting children to safety;
the stress of the past few years is still taking a toll on lives of children and families in Palm Beach County become trained to understand and respond to children and
our mental health, well-being, and safety. Economic since 1999. We continue to forge partnerships and new families when they experience crisis. Together, we can
connections with other agencies, businesses, schools, be stronger in preventing and protecting children from
system and community leaders, and funders who
becoming victims of trauma and abuse and build safer
Reading Time recognize the importance of keeping children safe. homes, schools, and communities.
About Center For Child Counseling
Every one of us has the opportunity to make a

Since 1999, Center for Child Counseling has been
With Dad difference for a child facing adversity. Children have building the foundation for playful, healthful, and hopeful
tremendous potential – which our society needs – and
which we have a shared obligation to foster and protect.
living for children and families in Palm Beach County. Its
The goal is for all community members to understand and services focus on preventing and healing the effects of adverse
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., own the idea that we each have a stake and role in child experiences and toxic stress on children, promoting resiliency
School Psychologist and family well-being. and healthy family, school, and community relationships.
James and the Giant But how do we, as adults, carve safe spaces for For more information and resources for parents, teachers,
Peach and Danny, children while struggling to make sense of things caregivers, and children, visit: centerforchildcounseling.
Champion of the World ourselves? Center for Child Counseling provides the tools org. Visit Twitter: @ChildCounselPBC; Facebook: @
were two of Roald to connect. CenterforChildCounseling; or Instagram: @childcounselpbc.
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