Edna VarnerWhat is it like to grow up with scars others may not see? What happens when you are surrounded by people who care, but they can’t hear you screaming on the inside?
In June, The Camp House was filled with more than 100 concerned community members to discuss and watch the one-hour screening of the documentary “Resilience: the Biology of Stress and Science of Hope.” The documentary follows teachers and doctors who are making an impact on the critical research around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs, which result in toxic stress, have been overlooked and misdiagnosed in hundreds of cases of children and young adults – even here in Hamilton County.
Childhood is meant to be a time of joy, innocence and experiencing the wonderful things life has to offer for the first time. The sad truth is many children are exposed to trauma early on, which ultimately alters the way their brain develops. Instead of having Attention Deficit Disorder or another common label, the doctors in Resilience found many children are victims of ACEs, which can go on to cause not only serious mental implications but can also contribute to the causes of heart disease, lung disease and even cancer.
By using 21st century science and the resources available to us, we can combat ACEs and these toxic stress environments for our children. In Hamilton County, we have several concerned community members fighting to combat ACEs and provide a better future for our young adults.
According to the Chattanooga 2.0 report, children are born learning, with more than 80 percent of brain development occurring in the first few years of life. Whether at home or in a formal program, high quality education lays the foundation for the development of cognitive and social skills that set the foundation for later success in school, career and life. Too many of our children are not receiving the crucial early education they need and deserve to succeed inside and outside of the classroom. The report focuses on creating an Early Learning Network that will bring together providers and resources to focus on increased quality, access and support for early learning programs.
The launch of Chattanooga Basics provides the opportunity to dramatically increase the number of school-ready children when they enter kindergarten. Focusing on five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles, Chattanooga Basics wants to give our students a great start right from the beginning before they enter the classroom. Simple day-to-day activities, such as showing love, talking, counting and reading a book, have a significant impact on the learning experiences of our children. Everyday interactions between children, their parents and caregivers provide opportunities to give children from all backgrounds an equal start in life. Through the partnership of existing nonprofits and community members, every parent and caregiver will be provided with the essentials to practice Chattanooga Basics in everyday life.
The evening concluded with a panel discussion with Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, Erlanger Hospital, Chambliss Center for Children, Hamilton County Department of Education and the Hamilton County Juvenile Court discussing how they are incorporating trauma-informed practices in their professional settings. By educating the general population about ACEs and resilience-building applications, we can strengthen our community from cradle to career.
Thank you to Chattanooga 2.0 for hosting this event. Through the sponsorship by the Early Childhood Coalition and a generous contribution by Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee (PCAT), the screening of this important documentary was made possible.
We can and will break the cycle of toxic stress in Hamilton County by working together to ensure our children have the brightest futures possible and creating the smartest community in the South.
Edna Varner is senior adviser, Leading & Learning, Public Education Foundation and the Project Inspire Teacher Residency.