As schools prepare to return to learning—in the classroom and virtually, they can help create a sense of safety that supports staff and student mental health by cultivating a culture of joy and forming positive connections in the school community. Leaders from the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center's Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative (C-TLC), Dr. Christine Mason, Dr. Martha Staeheli, and Life is Good Playmakers Founder and Chief Playmaker Steve Gross held this conversation.

In the life changing relationship business, optimism is a required, pragmatic, and evidence-based approach to overcoming adversity. The Life is Good Playmakers take an optimism-infused approach to trauma-informed care. Steve Gross is a pioneer in utilizing playful engagement and meaningful relationships to overcome the devastating impact of early childhood trauma.

Thank you for joining our discussion with three thought leaders as they shared how their work in the fields of education, recovery-oriented care, and trauma recovery overlap to provide practical strategies to school staff and community members who care deeply about addressing the trauma that will be prevalent this fall. Caring leaders must seek to support each other in turning our tragedies into growth, recognizing the joys among the ongoing and profound difficulties, and re-establishing school communities to serve everyone, with greater justice and equity.

To access a copy of this presentation, click here.