1. 2017 Conference on Child Welfare and the Courts
Protective Factors Framework & Youth Thrive
Promoting Youth Resilience
October 19, 2017
Rebecca K. Murray
Debbie Zwicky

2. ACEs in Wisconsin Prevention Board Strategic Plan
Create and advocate for effective prevention public policies
Promote evidence-informed practice and develop innovative programs that support parents and caregivers
Collaborate with key stakeholders to leverage resources and implement prevention initiatives
Educate professional and community members on child abuse and neglect issues

4. All families experience challenges and stress

6. Household Dysfunction
ACEs in Wisconsin
Three Types of ACEs
Abuse
Neglect
Household Dysfunction
Physical
Emotional
Sexual
Physical
Emotional
Mental Illness
Mother Treated Violently
Divorce
Incarcerated Relative
Substance Abuse

8. Positive Development Approaches

10. Project Overview
Multi-year initiative of the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP)
Examined the research from:
resiliency
positive youth development
neuroscience
impact of trauma on brain development

11. Project Overview How all youth can be supported
healthy development and well-being
reducing the impact of negative life experiences including toxic stress and trauma
Focus was on vulnerable youth
Not only about limiting risk factors
protective and promotive factors

13. Promotive and Protective Factors
The Strengthening Families Protective Factors
Parental Resilience
Social Connections
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Concrete Support in Times of Need
Social-Emotional Competence of Children
The Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors
Youth Resilience
Social Connections
Knowledge of Adolescent Development
Concrete Support in Times of Need
Cognitive and Social-Emotional Competence in Youth

14. I remember when I was an adolescent...

15. Throughout Adolescence
Cortex & frontal lobe still developing
Behavior is primarily mediated by the limbic area
Emotionally reactive
Pleasure and thrill seeking
Experiment with risky behavior
Oriented to the ‘immediate’
Not consistently thinking of consequences or long-term implications

16. Late Adolescence Cortex Limbic Mid Brain Brain Stem Abstract Thought
Concrete Thought
Affiliation
Cortex
Attachment
Sexual Behavior
Emotional Reactivity
Limbic
Motor Regulation
Arousal
Sleep and appetite
Mid Brain
Blood Pressure
Heart Rate
Body Temperature
Brain Stem

17. Let’s Talk About Stress
Normal Stress
Traumatic Stress
Age appropriate
Manageable
Geared toward developmental milestones
Short in duration
Supportive resources available
Supports healthy development
Beyond developmental understanding
Chronic
Cortisol levels go up and stay up
Few or uncertain supportive resources
Impacts every area of development

18. Social Connections
What are social connections and Why are they important for healthy youth development?

19. Young People with Connections…
Feel loved, wanted, and valued
Feel people who care about them
Feel secure & confident
Willing to seek help

20. Develop a Template What do they expect to: How might they view:
See, hear, feel, experience
How might they view:
Themselves
Adults
How might they approach:
New relationships
New experiences

21. Cognitive & Social-Emotional Competencies
Executive functioning:
Cognitive flexibility
Future orientation
Cognitive self-regulation
Emotional self-regulation
Behavioral self-regulation
Planning
Working memory
Social-Emotional
Self-awareness
Self-concept
Self-esteem
Self-efficacy
Self-compassion
Self-improvement and mastery
Personal agency
Character strengths
Positive emotions

22. Just Breathe Video: Just Breathe

23. Access to Supports Helps address issues Not feel isolated
Help build relationships with others

24. Not as Easy as It Seems Difficult for a young person to ask for help
Think they should be able to figure this out on their own.
History of trauma or adversity
limited access to competent caring adults
missed opportunities to learn and practice important skills

25. Resilience is…
…the process of managing stress and functioning well even when faced with adversity or trauma

26. Resilience… … allows youth to: face challenges
make productive decisions
take responsibility for actions
positively influence their development and well-being

27. Resilient Youth Supportive connections View self positively
Aware of their emotions
Strong communication
Confident to solve problems
Can ask for help
Resilient and not a victim
Good self-care habits
Resource for others
positive outlook for their future

29. Training Opportunities
Youth Thrive
Bringing the Protective Factors Framework to Life in Your Work

30. Thank You
Contact Information
Debbie Zwicky
Rebecca K. Murray