CII hosted a national virtual conference on April 13 and 14, featuring a group of prestigious national leaders in trauma-informed care. Former CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone Anne Williams-Isom, and best-selling author Professor Ibram X. Kendi, our keynote speakers, spoke about advancing equity, especially in light of the pandemic and the racial awakening of the past year.

Now its ninth year, CII’s Trauma-Informed Care conference deepens knowledge of trauma-informed practices for professionals in mental health, child welfare, education and related fields.

On opening day, Anne Williams-Isom spoke on Community Approaches to Trauma and Healing, including personal reflections and wisdom from 25 years leading large, complex non-profits. She then facilitated a lively panel with Los Angeles County Office of Education Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo; The Aspen Institute’s Associate Director, Network & Outreach, Ascend, Sarah Haight; and Minneapolis’ Northside Achievement Zone President & CEO Sondra Samuels.

Speaking about racism, Dr. Duardo advised, “Having age-appropriate conversations on race with children should start early on. It’s important to acknowledge there are different colors and cultures and make that a positive thing.” And on healing and leadership, Ms. Samuels cautioned, “If we don’t transform our pain, we transmit it.”

On Day Two, Professor Ibram X. Kendi spoke on Equity & Trauma: Disproportionate Response, highlighting many of his teachings on anti-racism. Recognizing that this year has been particularly challenging for the nearly 500 attendees, Professor Kendi offered encouragement and guidance: “You may not be able to speak to your experiences facing anti-black racism or even trying to navigate the world as a black child or parent, but there are things you can do. You can learn the culture, the history and the experiences. The more you understand the folks you’re serving, the better support you’ll be able to provide.”

Ballmer Group’s Los Angeles Executive Director Nina Revoyr facilitated Professor Kendi’s keynote, which was followed by a panel with Pepperdine University’s Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Graduate School of Education and Psychology Dr, Daryl Rowe, President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, The Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, and California Community Foundation Senior Program Officer, Health Dr. Rosemary Veniegas, moderated by CII’s Vice President of Research, Evaluation and Reporting Amina Jones Fields.

Ms. Revoyr put a voice to the pain and frustration felt by providers given the events of the last year while commending their collective positive impact on the community. In closing, as the group turns to day-to-day responsibilities, Dr. Rowe encouraged, “Lean into your village… Lean into the resistance.”

Thank you to our partner and sponsors, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the California Community Foundation.

             

This Teacher Appreciation Week we give giant, shiny gold stars to the more than 300 teachers, substitute teachers and home visitors at Children’s Institute! Last year was like no other and our early childhood educators supported kids and their families in remarkable ways, with passion and dedication through all the transitions of the pandemic. Amidst all the juggling and coordinating and lesson planning and safety training, they kept a positive attitude and made sure their students continued to experience the joy of learning without skipping a beat.

In March 2020, CII preschools serving 1,500 children across nearly 30 locations had transformed overnight into virtual early childhood education hubs. Throughout the year, teachers overhauled lesson plans and placed weekly calls to families while creating content for a weekly e-newsletter, specialized YouTube channel and learning app. Six months later, in September, they reopened 13 classrooms in 12 centers, and in April, they opened 11 more classrooms.

It’s an understatement to say this took Herculean effort. During Safer at Home, teachers frequently checked in, becoming key lifelines for identifying immediate needs and connecting families with free resources in their community for rent assistance, job placement, domestic violence reporting and much more. CII preschool sites were converted into distribution centers where staff handed out meals while items like diapers, formula, soap and other essentials were delivered directly to families.

When it came time to open, it wasn’t just back to business as usual. There were safety protocols and CDC guidelines to learn and follow. These affect daily routines, classroom set up, lesson planning, interactions with the children and the children’s interactions with each other. Disinfecting, cleaning and separating – providing each child with his/her own cubby and package of materials like crayons, which the whole classroom ordinarily shares, and monitoring play to make sure toys get cleaned before the next child takes a turn to play.

CII’s behavioral staff has been adapting as well – first to conducting virtual observations and then to getting extra training in our Conscious Discipline curriculum. They stepped in to help with the unique behavior and self-regulation challenges these changes and new learning environments have posed.

The teachers’ work had always been about much more than teaching but this year their dedication was extraordinary. Alongside their students and families, many have experienced tremendous personal loss and stress. But their work has never faltered and their students have been a source of pride and comfort. We are very grateful and excited to take time this week to celebrate each and every one of them.

Support the work of CII teachers by making a donation here.