Local Child Advocates Gather for Film Screening on the Effects of Early Childhood Trauma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2018

NORTH EAST, MD. -- More than 150 parents, educators, counselors, child advocates and community leaders filled Milburn Stone Theater at Cecil College last week for the free screening of the 68-minute, award-winning documentary RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope. And, if the silence in the room was any indication of how impactful the message was, then it's safe to say director James Redford nailed it, and it struck an emotional chord with many of those in attendance.

The film takes an in-depth, relatable look into to the science and stress involved with child trauma and the impact it leaves behind and suggests that many medical conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, depression, lung disease, and behavioral health concerns, can be linked to early childhood trauma. RESILIENCE explores how treating those suffering from stress caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can improve the lives of children, ultimately improving their lives as they grow into adulthood. 

"Over the last two weeks the Local Management Board and the Early Childhood Advisory Council have had 230 community members, across two events, come together to discuss childhood trauma," explained Amy LePore, Ph.D., Director of the Local Management Board, housed under the Cecil County Department of Community Services.

"There is clear evidence that substance abuse, family violence and a cycle of generational dependence in Cecil County are among trauma’s primary causes. Now is the time for reinventing our approach to family-centered programming, and to empower individuals, families and community-based organizations to take action to improve the lives of children," LePore added.

Many Cecil County children are currently living in chronically stressful environments. Cecil County’s rates for some of these factors are higher than state and national averages, making trauma a major concern for the county. The Cecil County Local Management Board (LMB), an appointed board of 20 executive level leaders focused on children, youth and families, has made trauma a focus of its work in 2018.

In an effort to reach as many local families as possible, the LMB partnered with the Cecil County Early Childhood Advisory Council (CCECAC). This partnership combined resources to put as many community members, service providers and policy makers together to view the film, educate themselves and begin to consider how early assessment and intervention in traumatic experiences for children and their families may be able to change future health outcomes for Cecil County’s children.

"I felt the community movie screening was a success," said Mandy Feeney, Early Childhood Instructional Coordinator for Cecil County Public Schools. "I believe the event only helped to deepen and more broadly spread the conversation about the impacts that trauma plays on our citizens here in Cecil County, most specifically the children. The RESILIENCE movie provided common language, knowledge and awareness around the topic of trauma from both a clinical and therapeutic perspective making those that attended the screening necessary voices in the continued conversations here in Cecil County."

At the conclusion of the screening, guest speaker Major General Linda Singh, Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard and a strong ally for children experiencing trauma, openly shared her own experiences of homelessness and poverty early in life. In 2016, Singh published Moments of Choice: My Path to Leadership, a book that depicts her personal, inspirational, honest journey of abuse and childhood struggles and how she worked to overcome the world that she was born into.

"Major General Singh was an honest, forthright, articulate and inspiring speaker. She shared her trauma in a pure way that moved audience members to react and respond," added Feeney. "General Singh is a model of resilience and an advocate for the health and wellness of our citizens in Cecil County. She is a tremendous ally in our advancing work on the issue of trauma for children and adults here in Cecil County. The conversations occurring around the topic of trauma will continue, but more importantly, action steps, by the way of advocacy for programs, stronger communities, and investment in early childhood, will be what brings resilience and hope to Cecil County."

The LMB and CCECAC will continue to work in conjunction with Cecil County Public Schools and the community at-large to devise and incorporate more programs and services to local children who are dealing with trauma.

To learn more about the film, RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope, visit: https://kpjrfilms.co/resilience/.
 

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