Northeast Tennessee ACEs Connection
A New Understanding of Trauma
Building Resilience in Northeast Tennessee
Today, the causes of trauma—sexual abuse, violence in families and neighborhoods are
matters of public concern. A movement for trauma-informed care has emerged to ensure
that trauma is recognized and treated and that survivors are not re-victimized when
they seek care. Complementing these changes, we are working to develop programs to
promote healthy development of children and healthy behaviors in families, schools
and communities that reduce the likelihood of trauma. It is important to each of us
that work on ACEs science continue to grow in our region and that ongoing support
be provided to our many community partners in their trauma informed journey. We've
enlisted the help of Bristol's Promise/Bristol Connect, the trauma informed system
of care in Bristol, which has kindly agreed to help facilitate continued conversations
of NE TN ACEs Connection on a bi-monthly basis at least for the time being. We will
also be inviting others across Northeast Tennessee to join. This will enable NE TN
ACEs Connection to truly be a region-wide system of care. Since meetings are currently
held virtually this will enable anyone to join.
Becky Haas
Author/Speaker/Trainer
BeckyHaas.com
Consultant, Strong BRAIN Institute

Andrea “Andi” Clements, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University
Faculty, Strong BRAIN Institute, East Tennessee State University
President, Uplift Appalachia
Becky Haas and Andi Clements have taken on the mission of bringing ACE awareness
and Trauma-Informed Care to Northeast Tennessee, writing a Toolkit in 2018 for communities to use to create their own systems of care.
TRAININGS OFFERED
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“Trauma Informed Approach: Key Principles and Assumptions” (Source: SAMHSA)
This training curriculum provides an introduction to trauma and trauma-informed approaches. No prior knowledge about trauma is necessary. It is intended for a wide range of professionals, including direct service providers, supervisors, administrators, advocates, interested community members, and staff from varying agencies.This training forms the basis for more advanced work in developing trauma-informed environments and practices.
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“The Role of Life Experiences in Shaping Brain Development" (Source: Building Strong Brains: Tennessee ACEs Initiative)
This training aids in building a knowledge mobilization movement across Tennessee around early childhood brain development. It is designed to develop a common understanding about early childhood through a shared, up-to-date, clear storyline based on scientific findings. The training emphasizes that the architecture of a young child’s brain is shaped by the interaction between genes and experiences, and experiences can be beneficial or detrimental. Science makes it clear that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) negatively impact the architecture of the developing brain. Children thrive in a safe, stable, nurturing environment of supportive families, caregivers, and communities. There are 3-hours, 1.5-hour, 30-minute, and 15-minute versions of this training. The 1.5-hour version is also embedded in the “Trauma Informed Approach: Key Principles and Assumptions” (above).
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“How being trauma-informed improves criminal justice outcomes” (Source: SAMHSA Gains center)
This is a training program for criminal justice professionals to increase understanding of trauma, create an awareness of the impact of trauma on behavior, and develop trauma-informed responses. Trauma-informed criminal justice responses can help to avoid re-traumatizing individuals, increase safety for all, decrease recidivism, and promote recovery of justice-involved women and men. This interactive training is specifically tailored to criminal justice professionals including:
-Probation, parole and pre-trial service officers
-Court personnel
-Police -
Train-the-Trainer for “Trauma Informed Approach: Key Principles and Assumptions” Key principles course
This is a training for those who have already attended the four-hour SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Approach: Key Principles and Assumptions Course. This six-hour training provides a wealth of additional materials and slides with trainer notes. Participants also receive 3-4 variations of the training as examples of customizing it to use with a variety of professionals (i.e., healthcare, services that work with children or homeless persons, etc.)
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Faith-Based Trauma Informed Care
This is a training covering the SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Approach: Key Principles that is tailored specifically to the faith community. For information, contact Dr. Clements or Uplift Appalachia.