Family Dynamics by Naomi Gerrard

The research is clear – childhood trauma and adverse experiences can greatly impact children’s healthy development including their emotional, mental, and physical health.

It is critical to learn more about the impact of trauma and create more relational and healing-centered responses.

The strong connection between childhood trauma - including exposure to domestic violence - and many of the costly societal issues that our community faces every day means we all must address this issue. 

 

Every 10 minutes another child in Contra Costa County sees or hears domestic violence.

Families Thrive, a unique Contra Costa County initiative, actively supports learning and collaboration to address the specific needs of children, youth, and families impacted by trauma and intimate partner violence. Families Thrive invests in research to promote and share greater understanding of the impact of trauma and support best practices to address individual, community, and workplace trauma and toxic stress. Learning opportunities support people to leverage their knowledge, training, and shared expertise to transform how we think about and do this work. Heightened awareness and knowledge can support individuals’ understandings of their own lived experience and empower organizations to change practices and policies, collaborate to strengthen prevention and early intervention strategies, and raise community awareness.

In addition, the ripple effects of trauma and toxic stress are prevalent in organizations and social service systems. Families Thrive also supports agencies and organizations to build more trauma-informed workplaces through building our capacity to promote safety, healing, and resilience for staff, programs/organizations, and the children and families they serve.

Who has been engaging in learning and collaboration?

  • School districts

  • Early childhood education

  • Community-based organizations

  • Juvenile justice

  • Healthcare

  • Domestic violence services

  • Sexual assault services

  • Mental health services

  • Children and family services

About 

Families Thrive Philosophy

At the core of this work is better supporting families experiencing toxic stress or trauma with a trauma-informed lens. This view acknowledges people's experiences and strengths and shifts our thinking to how we can better support people's paths to healing and wellness. Children are better able to thrive in a home, school, and community that is safe. 

The Need for Families Thrive

Recognizing the need for a more coordinated approach in addressing domestic violence, family violence, and elder abuse countywide, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors created Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence in 2000, now called the Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse. Families Thrive, an Alliance project, brings together key organizations to raise awareness, share insights and build community‐wide supports for families affected by domestic violence and trauma.

How You Can Get Involved

Everyone actively working to support children, youth, and families in Contra Costa County is invited to join Families Thrive.

  • Access the learning modules on this website.

  • Join in the partnership to share best practices and collaborate with peers.

By leveraging existing resources and developing new strategies we can work to promote safety for Contra Costa County children, build stronger families, and set a positive course for our community.

To get involved, please email info@familiesthrive.org or call 925-608-4975.