Community Forums: Coping with Tragedy

In light of the recent tragedy in Newtown, several agencies will be offering open forums for parents, caregivers and educators on how to help children and their families.

Resources for Parents

United Way of Connecticut/211

(The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)

Parents guidelines for helping teens after the recent attacks

Psychological impact of the recent shooting

Talking to children about the shooting

Tips for parents on media coverage

More resources below

Forums

The Child Guidance Center will hold a forum for parents/community to consult with child mental health experts on helping children (and families) deal with their reactions.

Stamford:

Where: 196 Grey Rock Place, Stamford, CT.
When: Monday 5:30-6:30pm, 196 Grey Rock Place, Stamford, CT
www.childguidancect.org

Greenwich:

Where: Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Ave., Greenwich
When: Thursday, December 20^th, 7 PM-9PM

Norwalk: Open Forums at the Child Guidance Center: 100 East Avenue

Monday 12/17 : 5:45-6:30pm
Tuesday 12/18 : 6pm-7:30pm
Wednesday 12/19: 6pm-7:30pm
Thursday 12/20: 6pm-7:30pm

Family Centers will be offering forums in Greenwich and Darien to will allow adults an opportunity to talk about the events, the impact on their children, ask for advice on how to talk to their children about trauma and receive feedback from professionals.

Greenwich:

Where: Family Centers, 40 Arch Street, Greenwich
When: Tuesday December 18th at 9:30am

Darien: in collaboration with the Darien Library and other community providers

Where: Darien Library’s Community Room
When: Monday, December 17 at 10am
Wednesday, December 19 at 7pm
www.familycenters.org

In addition, the Family Centers’ clinical services and Trauma Response Team are available to those impacted by this devastating event. Our team of specialists provide on-site counseling and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)/Psychological First Aid services to schools, organizations or businesses to assist in traumatic or crisis situations.

Stratford Community Services

Stratford:

Community Services Counselors are available:

Where: Birdseye Municipal Complex, 468 Birdseye Street, Stratford.
When: December 17, 2012 and Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Birdseye Municipal Complex, 468 Birdseye Street, Stratford.

Stratford Community Services has been providing children and their families counseling services for more than thirty years. In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, counselors will be on hand this week to address questions like “How do I respond to my child’s questions? Or “I’m feeling out of sorts and I didn’t even know anyone involved”. Counselors are also available by appointment weekdays through 8:00 p.m. For more information, call 203.385.4095.

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Trumbull:

EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES

FOR PARENTS TO USE WITH THEIR CHILDREN

In the face of the SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY

Led by mental health professionals, who are also moms

How to talk with your child about traumatic events

How trauma affects our bodies

How we can help the natural process of healing

Handouts, Resources and Refreshments will be available

We will present some practical strategies and techniques to help you and your children to process the trauma more effectively.

This is FREE, and we have no agenda, other than trying to do what we can to help.

No children please.

If you have any questions please contact the EMDR HAP office at (203) 288-4450.

Wednesday, December 19 at 7:00 pm

Christ the King Church, entrance is in the back

4700 Madison Avenue

Trumbull, CT

Valerie Gillies is a Licensed Family Therapist and EMDR clinician. Her practice is solely focused on children who have attachment and trauma challenges. She takes a holistic, systemic approach, and involves parents, school, sensory processing, play, exercise and nutrition in treatment. She is the mother of 5 children, aged 14-28, and writes for the syndicated blog: Mothering In the Middle.

Dawn Roy, Linda Rost, Karen Alter-Reid, Cheryl Kenn and Susan Marcus are among the other licensed trauma specialists who will be on hand for this presentation, and will be available to engage in discussion with parents.

Sponsored by EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs (HAP)

2911 Dixwell Ave Suite 201 Hamden, CT 06518

www.emdrhap.org

HAP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to build the capacity of underserved communities to meet their needs for effective trauma therapy throughout the world. HAP has been a part of healing communities in all 50 states and 33 countries around the world. We remain committed to families and communities through support and education of the effects of trauma and how it can be dealt with successfully.

RESOURCES

CT Department of Children and Families

http://www.ct.gov/dcf/cwp/view.asp?a=4368&Q=514042

From Connecticut Clearinghouse: The following is a list of Connecticut Clearinghouse resources directly related to traumatic events. The Clearinghouse also has materials on grief and loss, depression, stress, substance use, and other related topics. Please call the Clearinghouse at 800-232-4424 or visit us at www.ctclearinghouse.org for additional information.

Fact Sheet

Young People and Trauma” factsheet can be accessed at www.ctclearinghouse.org/files/customer-files/423-Young-People-And-Trauma-121712.doc

Online Resources

Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting

www.apa.org/helpcenter/aftermath.aspx

Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events

www.samhsa.gov/trauma/

Coping with Crisis—Helping Children With Special Needs

www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/specpop_general.aspx

Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Traumatic Events: Tips for Parents and Teachers

www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/angermgmt_general.aspx

Identifying Seriously Traumatized Children: Tips for Parents and Educators