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The GRTICN Annual Report for FY24-25 will soon be available! The report includes highlights from GRTICN meetings, projects and initiatives, goals for the coming year, and much more. Committee chairs also provide summaries of their work from the year, and those are presented (edited for space) below. Huge congrats and deep gratitude to everyone who participates in our committees and makes all this wonderful work possible!
Community Resilience Committee
The Community Resilience Committee prioritized community engagement through neighborhood walks, partnerships with local organizations, and weekly Chat and Chew sessions, which are a community healing space for participants to discuss the issues that matter to them with trauma-informed supportive facilitation. The committee also supported Fairfield Elementary School by being present weekly in the month of March during dismissal to listen to parents, offer support, and connect families with resources. A major highlight of the year was the 3rd Annual Community Resilience Block Party, held on May 3 at the Powhatan Recreation Center. This year, the event focused on Domestic Violence Survivors' Resilience, using the EveryDay Strong model to help families identify signs of trauma early on and access supports to build safety, connection, and confidence. The Block Party welcomed over 150 attendees, including vendors, who provided resources, education, and family-friendly activities in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
Early Childhood Committee
The Early Childhood Committee held its inaugural meeting virtually on November 7 and discussed ways to advocate for families with young children and assist with access to services. Since then, the committee has been able to create goals and began meeting monthly to achieve these goals. In partnership with Virginia Association of Infant Mental Health, three support/affinity groups for professionals working in the early childhood field were created based on needs expressed by group members: a Black Affinity Group, an Immigrant Affinity Group, and a Peer Support group, all being held virtually each month. Committee members are exploring resources that are readily available, and completing needs assessments by attending staff meetings for various organizations, such as Child Health Partnership and Healthy Families.
Healthcare Committee
The Healthcare Committee affirmed continuing as a learning collaborative and held four meetings this fiscal year. The July meeting included a presentation from Thrive Birth to Five about THE BASICS framework and a reflection/discussion on how member organizations are addressing staff wellness and trauma exposure. The September meeting on the topic of the impact of trauma exposure on healthcare professionals included examples and strategies from Bon Secours, Family Lifeline, and Petersburg Public Schools. The December meeting featured a presentation from Unite Us and announcement about the GRTICN Community Resource Mapping Project and Virginia HEALS toolkit. The April meeting focused on maternal mental health, early parenting support, and identifying service gaps for pregnant individuals with substance use disorders.
Legal and Courts Committee
The LC Committee met virtually throughout the year and had active participation from members from several different disciplines (Court Service Units, Community Service Board, Private Practitioners, Child Advocacy Center, Public Defenders, and more). Committee members shared resources, challenges and held discussion regarding current agency and city/county trauma-informed initiatives underway within legal and court related disciplines. After agreeing that it would be helpful to use committee meetings for more education and training, meetings included a screening of the film Playing for Keeps and training on Combatting Vicarious Trauma. At the start of 2025, members provided check-ins that held common themes, such as policy and funding changes, stress, and need for wellness. Based on member feedback, staff from the LIVE Center joined the last meeting of the year to share about the services they provide to undocumented clients. Three very active LC Committee members retired during the fiscal year and expressed gratitude for the LC Committee community.
Outcomes Committee
This fiscal year, the Outcomes Committee developed tracking methods to gain better clarity around network membership and how different agencies engage with the network. Committee members continued to refine and distribute the annual Informational Survey, which provides opportunities for general membership to provide feedback about the network; and the annual Member Agency Survey, which provides insight into how participation in the GRTICN impacts changes in agencies in the region. The committee developed a section of the eNote for GRTICN committees based on feedback to the informational survey; and began including Member Agency Spotlights in the GRTICN eNote. The committee is also leading the continued work of the Community Resource Mapping Project, which began with the Community Resource Mapping Event in March; this includes developing a GRTICN Resource Guide.
Prevention and Awareness Committee
This year, the Prevention and Awareness Committee focused on enhancing access to stress management tools, mental health support, and community-building activities to better equip parents and caregivers in fostering safe, stable, and nurturing home environments. Throughout Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the committee emphasized parental mental health and well-being as a foundation for positive parenting. These efforts served to uplift parents and caregivers while promoting stable, nurturing environments for children. A major highlight was “Thrive & Connect: A Parent Well-being Event” held on April 15 at The Oak, which brought families together for an afternoon of relaxation, movement, and meaningful connection. Over 100 attendees took part in the experience, benefiting from both wellness activities and local resources.
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