Families Together is proud to be part of the Kansas School Mental Health Initiative (SMHI). This important initiative provides communities – school, parents and community partners – with information to support the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of children within a multi-tier system of supports.
Below, you will find products developed in partnership with our fellow human service organizations in Kansas, as well as links to additional resources.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are serious childhood traumas that result in toxic stress that can harm a child’s brain. The more ACEs a child experiences, the more likely he is to struggle with learning, playing in a healthy way with other children, and can result in long-term health problems.
Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) are the kinds of activities and experiences that enrich a child’s life. According to a recent study positive childhood experiences counter the damaging effects of adverse experiences. PCEs are what make childhood a time of growth, change, exploration, and happiness. According to the study from Johns Hopkins University, there are seven PCEs that could have lifelong effects on mental and relationship health.
Trauma is an emotional response to an intense event that threatens or causes harm. The harm can be physical or emotional, real or perceived, and it can threaten the child or someone close to him or her. Trauma can be the result of a single event, or it can result from exposure to multiple events over time.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from frustrations and to recover from setbacks. Resilient individuals adapt to change, stress or problems. They are able to take things in stride. The result of this bouncing back is a feeling of success and confidence.