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)
Age related reactions to a traumatic event
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 20th, 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
www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/psycht_general.aspx
Talking with Kids About News
www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/news/
