Living in a House of Cards — Dealing with ACEs in Our Lives
The 8th annual ACEs & Resilience Summit hosted by AFMC (Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care) will focus on dealing with the ACEs in our lives. The one-day summit held at the Benton Event Center on August 8th hopes to bring all sectors of the community together to learn more about ACEs and how we can improve our response to ACEs. We will also learn how to prevent further traumatization of our communities and build resilience in ourselves and others. By improving resilience in our communities and ourselves through a trauma-informed lens, we address needs in education, healthcare, and the community.
{slider title="Keynote: Addressing the Whole Child"}
Speaker: Ty'Heim Clark, The Childcare Whisperer, President and Founder (The Childcare Agency)
It was during a pandemic when God gave me the vision and resources to birth a business. A native of South Carolina, I attended Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C., where I majored in Early Childhood Education. My professional experience spans from managing privately owned and corporate childcare centers with enrollments ranging from 80 to 200, and a staff of over 20 employees. In addition to my experience as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, assistant center director, director of curriculum, and center director, I hold many years of hands-on experience, assisting my mother at her childcare center from my preteen to young adult years. Under the loving guidance of my mother, I learned how to serve with pristine integrity and to always remember that God is the key to all things; she groomed me for this! I believe that faith, passion, and education are the keys to achieving all your goals.
Session Description:
“Mr.Ty” is renowned for his transformative messages and magnetic presence that has become a catalyst for positive change in the childcare landscape. With a wealth of experience and an innate ability to connect with audiences, he offers fresh perspectives and actionable strategies that not only work in the realm of childcare but in any environment where adults interact with children to create positive and nurturing communication including your own home! His dynamic approach to key topics is guaranteed to captivate you and inspire transformative thinking. His magnetic presence is unparalleled, creating an atmosphere that sparks enthusiasm and motivates attendees to embrace new ideas and challenges. Not only do his messages and strategies benefit children, but also greatly impact the adults in their lives, making them better and happier people.
{slider title="A Concentrated Look into ACE and Eradicating Generational Trauma by Thinking Outside the Box"}
Speaker: Dr. Lisa Abuja (The Center for Psychiatric Trauma & Mental Health)
Dr. Lisa Albuja holds a PhD in the Philosophy of Psychology with a Specialization in Trauma and Disaster Relief, a Master of Science degree from the University of Arkansas in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and completed post-graduate work at UALR, becoming Certified in Conflict Resolution. Lisa also trained through Stanford University to become an Empowered Relief TM Certified Instructor. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Youth Trauma Professional (CYTP), and a Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP). She often speaks locally to stakeholders and parents on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), Addiction, and Intergenerational Transmissions of Trauma (ITT). Dr. Albuja developed the ASH Program and the ASH Program for Shared Parenting. She has also authored a book entitled The Relocation of Life.In 2022, Dr. Albuja completed a Qualitative Case Study entitled "A Case Study on the Efficacy of a Parent Intervention Program called the ASH (Accountability Starts Here) Program on High-Risk Families," which was found to be overall effective. She also co-founded, with her husband, Pablo Albuja, the Center for Psychiatric Trauma & Mental Health (CPTMH) in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Session Description:
Several decades of mental and medical research have evidenced that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) literally get under your skin, changing people in ways that cause a myriad of mental and medical conditions throughout their lifespan. While most know the obvious ACE of abuse and neglect, there are specific ACE worthy of discussion, such as parental ACE and divorce. All of which increase the risk of being transferred generationally. And while it seems an insurmountable task to fight, we know ACE are preventable and generational trauma can be stopped. Solving the toxicity ACE puzzle is paramount to breaking generational cycles of trauma. Trauma-informed education and thinking outside the box are ways to combat ACE and generational trauma. These doable solutions will help improve the odds in personal lives, families, future generations, and our communities.
{slider title="ACEs Award & Networking Luncheon"}
Description:
This luncheon celebrates the prestigious honorees of the Summit awards:
- The Phoenix Award recognizes an exceptional educator, businessperson, policymaker, community leader, or advocate who, through their professional role, is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families across our state.
- The Rise Award honors an individual who demonstrates resilience in action and uses their life experience to foster resilience in others.
- The PACEs Award recognizes a local 501c3 non-profit organization addressing adverse childhood experiences, creating or supporting positive childhood experiences, and contributing to building resilience for children and families in Arkansas.
{slider title="Breakout Sessions"}
Session A: Strategies for a Trauma-Informed Classroom
Session A Description:
This presentation will walk the audience through a brief review of how childhood trauma might impact students before moving into potential action steps for schools to support their students and staff. Following the 5 S’s of a Trauma-Informed Classroom, the participants will walk away with strategies to use in their classrooms. This session is a preview of Trauma-Informed trainings that can be offered to full school audiences by the Trauma Resource Initiative for Schools (www.tris-ar.org).
Session A Speaker: Evan Wilons, LPC-S (ARBEST, UAMS)
Evan Wilons, LPC-S, is the Trauma Educator for the Trauma Resource Initiative in Schools (TRIS) through the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). In this role, he travels across the state providing training and education on trauma-informed practices to school communities. Previously, Mr. Wilons has worked in various clinical settings, including outpatient clinics, school-based programs, and alternative learning environments. He has worked with children and adults with a particular focus on trauma.
Session B: Quality Improvement Principles for Building a Trauma-Informed Healthcare Practice
Session B Description:
A review of principles of Quality Improvement (QI) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC). Participants will have an opportunity to evaluate their current practices and identify areas where they could improve care through the application of trauma-informed practices. Interactive, role-playing vignettes will also be used to assist with learning and improve care delivery that impacts patient outcomes. All are welcome, but any healthcare provider, from administrators to support staff, will find useful tools to enhance their roles in caring for patients.
Session B Speakers: Dr. Chad Rodgers (AFMC); Ladeana Bell, LPE-I (AFMC) | Moderator: Chris Spearn (AFMC)
Dr. Rodgers is the chief medical officer at AFMC and a board-certified pediatrician at Little Rock Pediatric Clinic. Dr. Rodgers received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where he completed his internship and residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, serving as pediatric chief resident. He has served as president of the Arkansas Medical Society and the Arkansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. His areas of interest include pediatric development, Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences, Social Determinants of Health, and Health Literacy.
Ladeana Bell is an independently licensed psychological examiner who has been practicing psychology for 30 years. She has a wide range of clinical experience in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings in private, non-profit, and academic institutions with ages 2 to adult. Ladeana works closely with the ACEs coalition at the AR Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC). Ladeana is a frequent presenter on ACEs, trauma, and various other mental health topics. In addition, Ladeana works with the IOC quality assurance team at AFMC with a focus on behavioral health. She has a small private practice providing therapy to adults with a particular emphasis on mental health professionals and couples’ counseling. Ladeana is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, policy change, education, and systemic change related to the delivery of mental healthcare. She has one 24-year-old daughter, an Australian shepherd “grand dog”, and two special cats.
Session C: Civility Workshop — Empowering Leaders for Civil Impact
Session C Description:
This presentation on civility will help participants gain a deeper understanding of each other while discussing important topics impacting our world today. Participants will be introduced to the SERVE Framework and Civility Leadership Institute (CLI). The presentation will also highlight the mission and work of how CLI and Renew America Together (RATO) are incorporating this.
Session C Speakers: Amanda Nipper (The Civility Leadership Institute); Mary-Lee Smith (Renew America Together)
Amanda Richardson Nipper has served more than a decade in leadership roles primarily focused on economic development and healthcare. Currently, she leads a team specializing in organizational development and learning. Her responsibilities encompass talent management, employee engagement, leadership development, and workforce planning across various stages.
Prior to her current role, Amanda gained valuable experience in diverse positions within federal and state agencies. Notably, she directed a leadership development program, collaborating closely with partner institutions and agency leadership to deliver comprehensive training initiatives.
Amanda's passion for public service and leadership development was ignited during her tenure as an AmeriCorps Member with City Year Little Rock. Her focus included literacy tutoring and driving civic engagement efforts within the local community.
A native of Arkansas, Amanda holds a BA in Communication from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in public service from the Clinton School of Public Service. Outside of her professional roles, Amanda contributes actively to her community, serving on the site board for City Year Little Rock, as the Vice Chair of a Governor's Advisory Commission on National Service and Volunteerism, and as a Past President of the Junior League of Little Rock. She resides in Little Rock with her family and is an active member of Second Presbyterian Church.
Mary-Lee Smith is the executive director of Renew America Together, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2018 to foster greater common ground in the United States by mitigating partisan division and gridlock. In 2020, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Civility Leadership Institute, which unites individuals from across the nation to collaboratively seek common ground. In 2024, she co-authored the organization's new curriculum, STRIVE: A Framework for Civility. Smith's career spans leadership roles in public policy and public relations within both the private and public sectors. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Public Service degree at the Clinton School and serves on the board of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. A proud graduate of the University of Arkansas and a lifelong Razorback, she lives in Little Rock with her husband and two children.
{slider title="Reducing the Lasting Impacts of High ACE Scores with School-Based Yoga Programs in Arkansas"}
Speaker: Kelly Owen (AHA)
Kelly Owen works in Little Rock as a Development Director in the nonprofit sector. Her professional expertise concerns program design, volunteer management, and fundraising. She received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English Literature from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) and a Volunteer Manager Certificate (VMC) from the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium. She is a former Americorps and VISTA National Service Member and a Yoga Alliance Certified YTT 200-hour teacher. She lives in Little Rock with her husband, Jordan. They share two dogs and a cat, all of whom are very spoiled. In 2023, she received her Master of Public Service (MPS) degree from the Clinton School of Public Service, and this presentation is based on research conducted for her first-year program design and evaluation course. She also has a high ACE score, and most of her personal and professional life has centered around ensuring that she has better life outcomes and helping others do the same.
Session Description:
The presentation will guide us through a program created to encourage emotional regulation skills for kindergartners through a school-based intervention. In the literature surrounding ACEs, early interventions and yoga-based interventions have been shown to increase emotional regulation skills in children. Learn about the research, techniques, and best practices needed to thoughtfully lead the movement to bring yoga and mindfulness to children, as well as increase emotional regulation skills in teachers and teacher aides. Educators, Administrators, Mental Health Professionals, Yoga Teachers, Therapists, Researchers, Parents, and teens interested are all encouraged to attend.
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