Jamie Wiggington, a Housing Case Manager in the Permanent Housing program at Catholic Charities recently completed a program called Master Adverse Childhood Experiences – an event offered by the Rotary Clubs of St. Joseph. She was one of 65 service professionals including education leaders, school behavior interventionalists, and other community organizations selected to attend.
The event was centered around the effects of childhood trauma (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and was made possible by a Rotary Global Grant that trained 40 people on improving those situations.
All attendees also received training in a program called the Neuro Sequential Model of Education.
These programs were designed to increase awareness of childhood trauma in our communities, allowing educators and social workers to act fast and responsibly. Sequential Mode of Education talks about the basic concepts of neurosequential development and how to apply it in educational settings.
Catholic Charities was one of 11 organizations that took part in these trainings. The next step is a series of informational sessions targeting in more detail the causes and signs of childhood trauma.
“I have always had an interest in trauma and how it has affected my own life.” Wiggington said. “Getting clients to realize that what happened to them as a child is trauma and it is understandable what they are going through. To let them know that by them being aware is a critical step in making life a lot better for them.”
“If we can make people realize that abuse and neglect can be detrimental to them as adults.” Wiggington said. “There is hope that the next generation can help make the difference. “
For more information on the Understanding ACEs Train the Trainer Program, email Jamie Wiggington at jwiggington@ccharities.com
Written by Austin Fitzgerald, Communications Assistant VISTA, Marketing