Dear Friends:
In 2018 Pro Action staff spent many hours working on creating a paradigm shift, from
asking “what is wrong with you?”, to “what happened to you?”. As an organization we
have learned that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a significant predictor of
our future physical and mental health, academic and work success, and behaviors. I
truly believe that the information surrounding ACEs is the key to unlock CHANGE!
To share this information with the community, Pro Action staff held multiple viewings of
the film RESILIENCE: THE BIOLOGY OF STRESS & THE SCIENCE OF HOPE. This opened dialogue in multiple school districts, colleges, organizations and communities on the importance of understanding ACEs and what, as individuals, we can to do to help build resilience in our schools, organizations and communities. Even though ACEs can have devastating impacts, we know that one caring adult can make a difference. That is why Pro Action staff utilize and teach the Protective Factors Framework to families in our
communities. The Protective Factors include parental resilience, social connections,
knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support in times of need,
and social emotional competence of children. As an organization we firmly believe that
the two-generation approach is essential in building resilient families and individuals.
By working with and empowering the entire family we are addressing basic needs and
setting and achieving goals based on strengths of the family. This approach recognizes
that no two families are the same, and what is needed can often vary.
The knowledge that our organization has gained around ACEs and trauma led us
to the decision to create an organizational change to become a trauma informed
organization. Being a trauma informed organization is a commitment to create an
intentional organizational mindset and service framework that understands, recognizes
and responds to the various effects and manifestations of trauma. To begin this work,
we developed a vision for the shift, “Pro Action acknowledges, in all aspects of our
work, the prevalence and impact of trauma”. The journey to become a trauma informed
organization is one that is ongoing and will continue for many years to come.
I am excited to share this message and our 2018 Annual report. Both validate that Pro
Action continues to demonstrate strong outcomes that have a positive impact on our
communities and families and that we are continually looking to the future to ensure
we are doing our work in the most impactful, effective and meaningful ways.
For more information:
Sincerely,
Laura Rossman
Laura Rossman, CEO
