It's a new school year in our community. Thousands of girls and boys are taking their next steps towards a successful future.
The promise of new teachers, new friends, and new learning opportunities define new opportunities, as well as challenges kids face during the back-to-school season.
For many kids living in Pottawattamie County, the reality is, trauma is present in their every day lives. These emotional wounds don't often heal as fast as physical wounds.
There are many reasons, and complex circumstances, behind every case of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Together can we help to prevent these unfortunate events and help those in our community to rebuild after trauma. It's not an easy thing, and the journey is different for every individual. But with the right amount of support, time, and resilience, a healthy community is possible.
Patricia Russmann
Executive Director
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Upcoming Pottawattamie County Meetings
Youth & Families Committee
Date: September 10 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Location:
Promise Partners 1st floor Conference Room
Careers Building -
Iowa School for the Deaf Campus
Prevent Child Abuse Committee
Date: October 16 11:30am - 1:00pm
Location:
Promise Partners 1st floor Conference Room
Careers Building -
Iowa School for the Deaf Campus
Promise Partners Governance Board
Date: October 30 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Location: Promise Partners 1st floor Conference Room
Careers Building -
Iowa School for the Deaf Campus
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The Will and Ways of Hope
Talent, skill, ability-whatever you want to call it- will not get you there. Sure, it helps. But a wealth of psychological research over the past few decades show loud and clear that it's the psychological vehicles that really get you there. You can have the best engine in the world, but if you can't be bothered to drive it, you won't get anywhere.
Psychologists have proposed lots of different vehicles over the years. Grit, conscientiousness, self-efficacy, optimism, passion, inspiration, etc. They are all important. One vehicle, however, is particularly undervalued and underappreciated in psychology and society. That's hope.
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Hope is a Strategy
Shane J. Lopez, Ph.D.
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Teaching Students the ABCs of Resilience
... Our natural instinct as teachers, parents and caretakers is to protect children from hardship, yet we know walking between the raindrops of adversity is not possible. Instead of sidestepping challenge, we can teach kids to cope positively, to learn and grow adversity. We can arm our youth with resilience, and these lessons can begin in the classroom.
The ABC model is a simple yet power tool in cultivating self-awareness -- a crucial element of resilient mindsets.
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4 Steps for Discussing
Traumatic Events with Children
We try to protect children from upsetting events. But traumatic events such as the recent mass shooting in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio occur and, despite our best efforts, children are exposed to distressing or frightening experiences.
Witnessing traumatic events, such as acts of violence, a natural disaster, or accident, can challenge a child's sens of security and views of the world. That being sad, it is definitely possible to recreate a sense of safety and security following trauma.
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John Donovan
John Donovan has been recognized with the Almond Joy Award. John has been a joy as a member of the committee and through his commitment to helping others to do great things. John traveled daily, just like the travel size bars; he is always full of the right ingredients. John has a sense of humor that is a little nutty, a positive attitude, and an ability to collaborate.
Jessica Rayment
Jessica Rayment's light doesn't dim out. She's involved in the community and with partners. She shines in her abilities and responsiveness. She is a glowing resource.
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Child and Family Resource Network of Pottawattamie County
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Learning
Opportunities:
Sexual Violence is Everyone's Issue
September 12, 2019
Council Bluffs, IA
Resilient Iowa:
Through the Trauma Informed Lens
September 26, 2019
Ames, IA
Iowa Early Learning
Fall Institute
October 3-5, 2019
Altoona, IA
Building Community
October 5, 2019
Omaha, NE
Coaching for a Change
October 18, 2019
Omaha, NE
Navigating Evidence-Based Practices
October 22, 2019
Omaha, NE
Iowa Nonprofit Summit
October 29-30, 2019
Altoona, IA
Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands
November 7, 2019
La Vista, NE
Askable Adults Matter
November 15, 2019
Omaha, NE
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Coming Up:
Summer Send Off
Block Party
September 21, 2019
Underwood, IA
Hands Across the Bridge for Recover
September 28, 2019
Council Bluffs, IA
Family & Women's Health Fair
October 5, 2019
Council Bluffs, IA
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