We are thrilled to announce that our new workbook, Transform Stress, Crisis and Trauma through Creativity: An Art Therapy and Writing Workbook to Activate Wellness Strategies, is being published by the Traumatic Stress Institute/Sidran Press.

For nearly 25 years, Risking Connection has been at the forefront of the trauma-informed care movement. Over the past decade, the Risking Connection foundational trauma training has evolved into the Risking Connection Change Model, a multi-stage intervention that supports  trauma-informed, organizational culture change. In recent years, our hearts and minds have grown to embrace a more socially just view of the world. Now, we are pleased to announce the Risking Connection Change Model advances the beliefs that racism and trauma are inseparable and that healing racial trauma is an integral part of being trauma-informed. 

Traumatic experiences during pregnancy and birth can have lasting effects on maternal and infant wellbeing, impacting everything from breastfeeding, bonding  and attachment to maternal mental health. While the body of research on the consequences of birth trauma is vast and still growing, literature regarding vicarious trauma in healthcare providers who witness birth trauma is limited.

This year marks a new era in the history of the Risking Connection (RC) training model. The Traumatic Stress Institute (TSI) completed the most comprehensive revision of the training model since its inception in 2000. The revisions over the course of RC’s 24-year history have aspired to remain faithful to the principles of the original curriculum while reflecting advancements in the always-evolving trauma field, as well as ensuring the training is relevant to a wide variety of sectors serving trauma survivors.

Phew, this is a hard one for me: It is with profound appreciation, sadness, and good wishes that we announce the retirement of Mary Jo Harwood, LSW, DNCCM from the Traumatic Stress Institute (TSI). Her last day will be June 10^th.

A safety-related blog post to promote awareness: Fidget toys made with water beads have become popular, but they pose significant dangers. We are spreading the word amongst our Risking Connection® organizations participating in the Traumatic Stress Institute Whole System Change Model with the hope they can share and help protect their staff, the clients and families they serve, as well as their wider communities.

My name is Jesse Padilla-Goryl. I am a BCBA (Board Certified Behavioral Analyst) working in adult services in rural, Western Colorado with Ariel Clinical Services, an agency that provides therapeutic foster care to youth, and residential, vocational, and therapeutic services to adults with IDD.

In December 2022, three Connecticut-based Arc organizations embarked on a journey together to implement trauma-informed care (TIC) – not just with clinicians, not just a one-time training – but each as a whole organization aspiring to embed TIC into the fabric of their culture.