Adverse Childhood Experiences Nurturing the Northland Conference: Bridges to Resilience

Please read carefully before completing registration. You will be asked to select the top three (3) choices of breakout sessions as well as a 4th back-up choice. Click the SPEAKERS tab or scroll to the bottom of this page to view all the conference presenters with bios. You can also find a detailed, digital conference brochure in the "What's Happening" section of the Northland Foundation website: https://northlandfdn.org/

WELCOME

Nurturing the Northland is an intensive, two-day training for professionals who work with children and families, in and around the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior, to better understand and mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). It is aimed at individuals in the fields of education (early care & education, K-12, higher ed), human services professionals (Tribal, county, and nonprofit), medical and mental health providers, and others who work with children and families.

Participants will enhance their understanding of (1) how “people are driven by their experience. It’s hard to focus, behave, and interact in ways that are contrary to their experience”; (2) ways to strengthen the connection to oneself, one’s family, and one’s community; (3) approaches to help keep people safe and connected in their community; (4) opportunities to engage and nurture the protective systems that impact resilience; and (5) concrete strategies to actualize newfound knowledge.

COST

$75 per person. Payment is accepted by credit card, check, or money order. Registration deadline is May 15, 2019. Space is limited to 175 participants. Please contact the Northland Foundation at 218.723.4040 if you need financial assistance.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

A block of rooms is reserved at the Holiday Inn & Suites: Duluth-Downtown where the conference is being held. The rate is $119 per night. To reserve a room by phone, call the Holiday Inn at 218.722.1202 and reference the block for Nurturing the Northland. To reserve a room online from the block, enter bit.ly/ACEs-hotel into your web browser. Click on “Change Search” to ensure that you are reserving for the correct dates. The Group Code is TRA. This block will be available until May 11, 2019. Those who need hotel accommodations are encouraged to reserve a room as early as possible. Parking for hotel guests is available in the Holiday Inn Parking Ramp on W. First Street. Find more information on dining, hotel, and things to do in Duluth at http://www.visitduluth.com

PARKING

Parking is complimentary in the Holiday Inn parking ramp on West First Street. The Wells Fargo ramp and US Bank ramp are also located nearby, on West Michigan Street.  These two lots require prepayment using automated parking kiosks located in each ramp.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions about the conference or need help with registration, please call the Northland Foundation at 218-723-4040. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-Noon Friday. If you do not reach us or call after hours, leave a message on the general voicemail and we will return your call.

DAY 1 AGENDA: June 12, 2019
Holiday Inn & Suites, Duluth-Downtown: Great Lakes Ballroom

Morning Keynote: “Paying Attention to the Impact of Early Childhood Adversity” Presenter: Molly Harney, Ph.D.

When a child experiences adversity there is a profound and long-lasting effect on the developing architecture of the brain. Join us as we explore how environments and relationships early in life impact neural wiring and healthy emotional development. Current research findings will bring to light the critical importance of supporting the developing brains of children living with adversity by paying attention to the quality of their environments and relationships.

Daylong Training: “Trauma Informed (Certification)” Presenter: Rick Griffin, M.Ed.

This course goes beyond the typical information on Adverse Childhood Experiences to address the burgeoning science regarding trauma and resilience. This training includes 3 main topics:

- the NEAR SCIENCES, a cluster of emerging scientific findings in the fields of Neuroscience, Epigenetics, ACE Study, and Resilience;

- BRAIN STATES, the critical transition from knowledge of the science to insight into individuals impacted by trauma; and

- ROLES, CRI’s signature training on identifying and responding to trauma. ROLES is an acronym for Recognize, Observe, Label, Elect and Solve, core strategies that take us below the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

DAY-END OPTION - "Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope"

Optional showing of the video, "Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope."

DAY 2 AGENDA: June 13, 2019
Holiday Inn & Suites, Duluth-Downtown: Great Lakes Ballroom for morning keynote

Morning Keynote: “Doing Trauma Responsive Work: What is required of providers to make this truly work” Presenter: Anne Gearity, Ph.D., LICSW

When we say trauma-responsive work, this signifies an understanding of effects of toxic and acute stress on people. "Trauma responsive" requires important changes in clinical and community practice to respect and reflect client needs, and to construct new experiences that mediate lingering fear. This keynote will examine how shifts in attitudes and perceptions are imperative for our work to truly be helpful and supportive of safety, growth, and resilience.

DAY 2 BREAKOUT SESSIONS

There are three breakout time slots scheduled for Day 2 -- two before lunch and one after lunch. When registering, you will be asked to select your top three (3) breakout choices and a fourth choice as back-up. We will set your schedule accordingly, and it will be provided to you when you sign in at the conference.

1) “Building Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance Skills in Young Children through DBT and Mindfulness” Presenter: ElizaBeth Carver, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist

This workshop will focus on the benefits of mindfulness and building skills in the areas of emotion regulation and distress tolerance in young children and their caregivers. Participants will learn specific ways to increase a child’s ability to regulate emotions, handle frustration and reduce disruptive behaviors as well as effective ways to guide caregivers to support dysregulated children.

2) “Circle of Security® Parenting in the Classroom: A Trauma Informed Approach”Presenters: Deidre Quinlan and Lynn Henderson

One of the most powerful tools to heal trauma is the power of compassion. Come learn how the Circle of Security® in the preschool-classroom approach offers a compassionate response to children’s challenging behaviors.

3) “A Physician’s Perspective on Social-Emotional Best Practices in Pediatric Care” Presenter: Heather Winesett, M.D.

This workshop will provide an opportunity to hear how strategies are being embedded into St. Luke's Pediatric Associates that can prevent and mitigate ACEs and contribute to children's lifelong health and wellbeing. Dr. Winesett will share her insights and talk about efforts which have been woven together over the years to better support children and families, especially those who are facing challenges, with an emphasis on social-emotional and early childhood mental health.

4) “ACEs in the Court System: What Works?” Presenter: Judge Shaun Floerke

ACEs impacts our criminal justice system at every level. Judge Shaun Floerke will share an integrated understanding of trauma, addiction, recovery, alliance, and mindful practice to fortify and sustain us. Nothing is ultimately effective without healthy human connection.

5) “Brain Architecture Game: The Effect of Trauma on the Developing Brain” Presenter: Maryann Bonneville

Early experiences affect the development of brain architecture, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. Just as a weak foundation compromises the quality and strength of a house, adverse experiences early in life can impair brain architecture, with negative effects lasting into adulthood. Participants will engage in a simulation of a child's developing brain through an interactive board game and discuss the implications of toxic stress on the developing brain. Participants will walk out with a tangible tool for training others on the effects of early trauma.

6) “Cultural Strategies in Response to Trauma” Presenter: LeAnn Littlewolf

LeAnn Littlewolf of the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) will share how to put cultural strategies into action in response to trauma. This session will examine the social and economic roots of disparities that make community groups vulnerable to trauma experiences. Participants will gain insights on how organizations can re-think trauma response through cultural approaches.

7) “Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Power of Collaboration” Presenter: Amanda Lindquist

In this session, we will explore Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on students’ health. We will then demonstrate approaches and techniques that build resilience and promote success for all. Finally, we will explore ways to inspire youth to overcome adversity by giving back to their community.

8) “The Evolution of Homeless Interventions” Presenter: Stacey Achterhoff – Mrs. Delicious

This session will tell the story of one woman’s education, advocacy, and understanding of providing intervention services for k-5 homeless youth for the last decade.

9) “The Impact Homelessness has on Early Brain Development” Presenters: Molly Harney, Ph.D. and Aleesa Newman

Gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by children who are, or have been homeless, and explore practical strategies for working with those who have experienced the challenges of living under these circumstances. Potential issues related to homelessness such as toxic stress, trauma, and ACEs will be addressed, as well as the impact homelessness has on the parent/child relationship, child development, and long-term outcomes for both.

10) “Translating Ideas to Actions: Being Trauma Responsive in Your Work” Presenter: Anne Gearity, Ph.D.

This workshop will focus on therapeutic actions, words, and organizational structure that are essential to assure useful interactions and experiences that mediate the effects of trauma and stress. Participants will use case examples to illustrate and appreciate how this restorative lens changes our practices.

DAY-END  - "Guided World Cafe Debrief"