Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic or stressful experiences, such as abuse or neglect, that occur during childhood or adolescence. Armed with powerful new insights into how toxic stress changes the physiology of early brain development, we can begin to find sustainable solutions to childhood trauma by empowering resilient, self-healing communities. The training is designed to support widespread awareness, promote understanding, and empower communities to improve health and well-being throughout society. Learn about the key positive childhood experiences that help children grow into healthy, resilient adults and how our communities and our systems of care can provide access to them. The Four Building Blocks of HOPE will focus beyond ACEs to deepen our understanding and empathy, foster trust among families, and nurture anti-racist thinking to serve everyone without stigma. The participant will understand how the growing body of research demonstrate how positive childhood experiences drive healthy development and can mitigate the effects of adverse ones.
About The Presenters
Chalarra A. Sessoms, LCSW-C, MSW is a Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience in the mental health field. Board Approved Supervisor to support social workers and counselors in training. Mrs. Sessoms works as a Chief of Rural Health and School Based Programs with the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration within the Primary Behavioral Health & Early Intervention Division. She provides behavioral health trainings as a Resilience Master Presenter, ACE Interface Master Presenter, HOPE Champion, and Youth Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. Chalarra is an entrepreneur and proud to serve as a member of a consultative group of behavioral health practitioners, Imagine Living Well. Chalarra is a 2023 Honoree for Commitment to Child Maltreatment Prevention from The Family Tree. Chalarra was an Honoree in 2019 as one of The Daily Record's Maryland Top 100 Women for being a leading woman in leadership, community service, and mentoring. Mrs. Sessoms extends her talents throughout the community as well. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront for her work.
D'Lisa Worthy, M.Ed is a Special Educator with 30 years of experience serving young children and their families. D’Lisa Worthy is the Director of Early Childhood Services at the Behavioral Health Administration’s Primary Behavioral Health & Early Intervention Division. D’Lisa is a State Master Trainer in ACES Interface, The Pyramid Model, HOPE Champion, Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid and Resilience. She is a National Trainer for FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interaction). She is a current Commissioner on the Commission on Trauma Informed Care. Over the last 30 years D’Lisa has also taught at several Universities around the State of Maryland. She is featured on several videos and websites on children’s mental health and early childhood resilience and development. She was the 2017 Award Winner of the Alma Troccoli Award for Excellence in Advocating for the Mental Health Needs of Young Children and Their Families. She develops systems of care, workforce development and policy and practice for young children and their families.