More Resilient Minnesota

More Resilient Minnesota seeks to improve the health and resilience of current and future generations. Resilience includes individuals’ inherent strengths and nurtured capacities as well as the resources and supports of their families, communities, and cultures. As part of this initiative, Children’s Mental Health and Family Services Collaboratives educate their communities about neurobiology, epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and resilience research (NEAR Science) and train local presenters to share this information widely throughout their communities. Collaboratives then move from awareness of ACEs to action. They host community conversations that engage diverse community members to develop resilience plans, guided by community wisdom and local data. FamilyWise Services, with funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, supports this initiative to grow resilient communities across Minnesota.

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Tribal NEAR Science and Community Wisdom Project

This project broadens understanding of trauma — Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), historical trauma, and the impact of colonization — and its relationship to individual and community health and wellbeing in tribal communities. The project builds the knowledge, skills, and confidence of community members around neurobiology, epigenetics, ACEs and resilience (NEAR) research and holistic health topics to strengthen the self-efficacy of tribal communities in creating healing systems. One exciting outcome of this project is the Remembering Resilience podcast series. This project is a collaboration between tribal nations, FamilyWise, and the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Sign up for the Tribal NEAR Project eNewsletter here.

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Prevent Child Abuse America

Prevent Child Abuse America is the nation’s oldest and largest organization committed to preventing child abuse and neglect before it happens. ​They promote programs and resources informed by science that enable kids, families, and entire communities to thrive—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Prevent Child Abuse America focuses on prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Child Abuse through nationwide initiatives including state chapters, home visiting, public policy advocacy, research, and public awareness and engagement. FamilyWise operates as the Minnesota Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America.

Prevent Child Abuse America’s website offers a variety of resources including parenting tips and toolkits, fact sheets, research reviews, and podcasts and videos. Visit their website to learn more.

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Radiothon to End Child Abuse

For more than 30 years in Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd, and Wadena, community and radio station partners have come together with FamilyWise (formerly Minnesota Communities Caring for Children) for an annual Radiothon to End Child Abuse. The event, which takes place the first week of December, raises nearly $100,000 in pledges to support local and statewide efforts to strengthen families and nurture the health and wellbeing of children.

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Interested in preventing child abuse in your community?

Partner up with a FamilyWise leader near you by reaching out to one of our staff members below.