My note this month is deeply personal. For the past two months, I have had a family member with a critical illness and my life has become centered around revolving trips to the Emergency Room, hospital, and rehab. Priorities have been shuffled and reshuffled again becoming almost singular in nature – family first. I can objectively step back at times and hear the professional narrator naming moments of tolerable to traumatic stress and recognizing symptoms as they predictably emerge – brain fog, fatigue, body aches, infections, and emotional pea soup (a mixture of worry, sadness, anxiety, frustration, and irritability) to name a few. And at the same time, I am acutely aware of the counterbalance that is helping to keep me steady – family and friends checking in, a flexible workplace, and making space for the basics, when possible, to keep up with sleep, healthy nourishment, movement and simply breathing.
When it comes to “the why” of trauma responsive practice, here I am. It is because we all will or have been in this place – with our own set of circumstances and challenges – but “here” none the less. And knowing and experiencing this, how can there be any other way then centering people in all of what we do. In this month’s podcast, If Not Everyone is If Not Everyone is Safe, We’re All Not Safe Safe, We’re All Not Safe, our guest Adair Finucane shares her own story and explores this theme further. Our two new Storytellers in Residence Storytellers in Residence, Vincent French, and Angela M. Colón-Rentas, will be sharing their own unique stories in the coming months and how it has shaped their own practice.
Two weeks from the time this is being written, the 2nd nd Annual Conference Annual Conference will be in the books. I am already tingling in anticipation of being in community with others who also are passionate about making trauma responsive practices visible. It is an opportunity to learn, be inspired and walk away renewed for another day. It is hope made real towards a future where this way of being is embodied and embraced for the benefit of all.
With gratitude,
Elizabeth
Pathways: Becoming Trauma-Responsive
S1 Episode 2:
If Not Everyone is Safe, We’re All Not Safe, with Adair Finucane
A “healer’s healer,” Adair Finucane Adair Finucane shares their calling to trauma work and how they show up in this lifelong journey. Listen now to their conversation on navigating trauma, identity, holistic approaches to healing, and self-care practices for organizational success.
TINRC is excited to announce the Storytellers in Residence initiative!
The Storytellers in Residence initiative highlights profound insights and unique perspectives of storytellers whose narratives resonate deeply with trauma-informed practice, resilience, and well-being. Storytellers will share their experiences through the TINRC newsletter, stories, trainings, and other TINRC initiatives.
Vincent I. French, MAT, CAS, is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion with a deep commitment to community empowerment and educational reform. Born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, Vincent grew up in foster care before being adopted in 1988 from Brockton, Massachusetts, to Rochester, New York, where he was raised on the North East Side of the city. His personal experiences fuel his drive to create inclusive environments for all.
Angela M. Colón-Rentas is a New York State-certified Peer Specialist, professional Youth Peer alumni/Adult Peer Specialist and Skillbuilder. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Rochester, N.Y. She’s also a dedicated mother, nature lover, and fine arts artist with the authentic peculiar gift known as MIRROR-WRITING.
Alongside this launch is TRUST 2.0, an updated strength-based tool to enhance an equity-focused lens
and meet the needs of both direct providers and organizations.
If you were previously registered on the old version of the site, please re-register, please re-register, where existing accounts were not migrated to the new site. For any questions, reach out to For any questions, reach out to TRUST@ccsi.org
FYI: Please be advised that the legacy TRUST site legacy TRUST site will be shutting down at the end of 2024. If you had registered on the TRUST prior, please ensure you download your important documents before the closure. Here is the link: Legacy TRUST Website
Breath-Body-Mind™ is a set of gentle exercises that are based on science and designed to help with stress. They can improve your mental health and wellness. And the best part? All sessions, workshops, and trainings are free for New Yorkers!
Explore breathing, relaxation, and gentle movement techniques during our BreathBody-Mind™ practice sessions.
You can join these virtual sessions from work, at home, or any comfortable location. They help reduce stress, give your body a chance to reset, and better prepare you for whatever your day may bring.
English classes are offered every Tuesday at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Spanish classes* are offered every Wednesday at 8 PM.
by Jonathan Reinharth, PHD
Clinical Psychologist
Have you ever felt that something isn’t right about how our healthcare system identifies and manages our mental health needs? For many therapists and therapy participants alike, there are regular, eerie moments of recognition that our system may not follow the principles it aspires to. This mismatch comes up in many ways, and is why the Recovery Movement is so vital, to push us to hold to our principles. As a psychologist who has worked extensively with people given a psychotic disorder diagnosis, I see this problem routinely when working with these participants.
At the heart of children’s behavioral health is the understanding that one size does not fit all. Evidence-Based Treatments and Practices may be limited in meeting the unique needs, norms, and contexts of specific historically marginalized groups. The Innovations Lab of the Center for Workforce The Innovations Lab of the Center for Workforce Excellence (CWE Excellence (CWE) is interested in hearing from providers in New York State about any efforts to explore, develop and implement Community Defined Community Defined Practices (CDP’s).
CDP’s recognize the unique cultural values, traditions, and strengths of diverse communities and are tailored to address the specific needs of children and families within their cultural contexts, leading to improved outcomes. They may either be interventions developed specifically to help children, youth and families manage their mental health needs or to support participation in mental health treatment. By supporting CDPs, we promote inclusivity and culturallyresponsive care, ensuring every child receives the right support to thrive.
We invite you to share any community-driven practices you have developed or are aware of that support children’s behavioral health. are aware of that support children’s behavioral health. We are particularly interested in practices that are developed in collaboration between providers and the communities they serve or by community members themselves that address the unmet needs of specific cultural groups and/or historically underserved and marginalized communities.
We recognize that CDP’s are not typically found in the formal research literature, so we may have to rely on non-traditional measures for identifying CDPs, such as word-of-mouth.
Please email Dr. Jim Rodriguez Dr. Jim Rodriguez at jr4139@nyu.edu jr4139@nyu.edu to provide or share information about any CDPs you have either developed or are aware of in your community.
NYS TINRC is excited for the upcoming Join the Journey Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY!
Check out our social media channels below to see updates and pictures throughout the conference!
Are you passionate about trauma-informed care and equity-centered practices? Reach out to Josh Higgins Josh Higgins, our Community Provider Engagement Specialist Community Provider Engagement Specialist, to learn more about the NYSTINRC. Discover how we can support your organization, uplift your work, and collaborate to make a positive impact across New York State. Let’s connect and build a stronger community together!
Contact Josh at: jhiggins@ccsi.org
TINRC on Tour third stop of the tour was at MHANYS in Albany, NY on September 25th!
Participants shared new ideas about trauma-responsive schools and classrooms, and the importance of community connections within school systems.
TINRC on Tour TINRC on Tour aims to create engaging, innovative, and experiential events that bring communities together to network, share insights, and offer recommendations to amplify and strengthen the development and support of trauma-informed, equityfocused practices in New York State.
If you’re interested in hosting a “TINRC on Tour” “TINRC on Tour” event in 2025, please contact Josh Higgins at jhiggins@ccsi.org.
Every October, organizations and individuals unite across the country in a national effot to uplift the needs, voices, and experiences of survivors of domestic violence.
Find online mental health resources from these organizations committed to supporting those whohave been impacted by domestic violence.
