The Franklin Branch of the Sussex County
Library will host a Connections Matter workshop facilitated by Project Self-Sufficiency,
Tuesday, March 7th, 5:00 p.m. The session will address the issues
surrounding adverse childhood experiences; the workshop is free and open to the
public. The Franklin Branch of the
Sussex County Library System is located at 103 Main Street, Franklin, New
Jersey.
Participants
will explore the Connections
Matter curriculum, a program funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families
and led by Prevent Child Abuse
New Jersey designed to engage providers, parents, and community members in
building caring connections to improve resiliency. Discussion will focus on understanding adverse
childhood experiences and demonstrate 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.
Speakers will
address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and
cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resiliency. 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 aims to bring 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.
