Learn about Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops regarding adverse childhood experiences with the goal of educating the public, supporting trauma survivors, and offering tips for prevention and healing within the community.  The workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, which facilitates the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, will be offered virtually in English, Tuesday, May 19^th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Thursday, May 21st, 2:00 p.m.  Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed.  A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Wednesday, June 17^th, 3:00 p.m., will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. All workshops are free, hosted on Zoom, and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details. 

 

The Connections Matter curriculum invites providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency.  Discussion during the workshops will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrating 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.  All three workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. 

 

During the Understanding ACEs workshop, parents, caregivers, and other community providers will learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan.

 

Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resilience.  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. “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.”

Parents and Kids Enjoy Family Expo

 

Parents, caregivers, and children recently attended a special Family Expo hosted by the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency. The Family Expo featured educational forums, interactive exhibits, dinner, and fun activities for the whole family. Participants also received valuable information about childhood development, and community agencies were on hand to provide additional resources and expertise. A gift card drawing, prizes, and giveaways were highlights of the evening.

 

“The Family Expo offers a delightful experience for families, with hands-on exhibits that encourage participation and various activities that are designed to educate as well as entertain,” remarked Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Because we also spotlight summer family activities, the Family Expo is a perfect opportunity to plan summer outings while connecting with other families. We are grateful to the social service agencies and healthcare organizations who shared their expertise with local families.”

 

Participants were invited to climb onboard Dot, the Sussex County Library System’s mobile library, and received ambulance tours from the Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad. In addition to Project Self-Sufficiency, numerous community agencies provided valuable resources and information, including Atlantic Health System, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ, Care Plus New Jersey Kinship Navigator Program, Caring Partners of Morris & Sussex, Center for Evaluation & Counseling, Inc., Center for Family Services, DASI: Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services, DAWN Center for Independent Living, Elizabethtown Gas, Family Promise of Sussex County, Family Support Organization of Morris & Sussex Counties, Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center, Mental Health Association, Mental Health Urgent Care, New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency, Office of Resource Families, Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad, NJ4S of Morris & Sussex Counties, Northern NJ Safe Kids/Safe Communities, NORWESCAP Child  Family Resource Services, Partnership for Maternal and Child Health, Riverstone Therapies, Sussex County Community & Youth Services, Sussex County Division of Social Services, Sussex County Library System, Sussex County Skylands Ride, Sussex County Special Child Health Services, and the Sussex County YMCA.

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  For information about Family Expo, or to find out more about any of the programs sponsored by the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.journeyfsc.org.

Summer Job, Free Transportation, for Teens at Project Self-Sufficiency

 

A select number of teens can receive paid employment and learn valuable workplace skills at the Summer Youth Employment Program at Project Self-Sufficiency, Monday – Thursday, July 6^th – August 6^th. Rising Sussex County high school sophomores and juniors are invited to apply; eligibility guidelines include family income, transportation status, current enrollment in high school, and other factors.  Candidates will be assessed and interviewed prior to admittance to the program. Free transportation to and from Project Self-Sufficiency will be provided to participants; use of the transportation program and references from high school staff members are required.  Those who have previously participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program are ineligible.  Space is extremely limited; applications must be received by June 12th. 

 

The Summer Youth Employment Program offers teens a wide variety of work experiences, handling everything from clerical tasks to assisting with landscaping projects on the Project Self-Sufficiency campus and at select sites throughout the area.  Teens are also given daily classroom instruction about workplace etiquette, resume development, interview skills, and other topics at Project Self-Sufficiency’s state-of-the-art Career Center.

 

The program has a measurable impact on the adolescents it serves.  “For many of these young people, the Summer Youth Employment Program is their first workplace experience,” comments Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “This program allows teens to explore their interests and aptitudes, introduces them to basic job skills, and gives them guidance about workplace expectations.  The experience gives teens a foothold in the working world and often serves as a springboard into a future career.”

 

Interested applicants should visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org/summer-youth-employment-program to download an application.  Completed applications must be submitted by June 12th; eligible applicants will be contacted to set up an interview.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 for more information.