February 14, 2016

Last week, on two separate days in Los Angeles and in San Francisco, about 150 people (total) convened to listen and brainstorm about creating trauma-informed communities. Futures Without Violence, which is rolling out its Changing Minds campaign later this year, hosted both events.

Some very interesting and important themes emerged from the two days:

• Residents with lived experiences should participate in the decision-making bodies of service providers and vested stakeholders.
• Move away from "evidence-based best practices" to foster a common language of "what's working" and trust what is emerging.
• Funders should receive ACEs and trauma-informed training.
• Share data across sectors.
  
  

The jam-packed, inspiring two days were precursors to three days May -- in Southern California, Northern California and San Francisco Bay Area -- that will focus on how to translate inspiration into action, and sharing strategies and tactics. The workshops are organized for, and designed by, people who are driving ACEs or trauma-informed initiatives in their communities.