PCBRACE2023

This month we are talking about all things back to school with the Pitt County Schools Director of Student Services Karen Harrington. Pitt County Schools has made large strides in implementing trauma-informed practices for students and staff, and Mrs. Harrington is highlighting that in this episode. Pitt County Schools will be hosting open houses across the county Thursday, Aug. 24. K-5 grades are 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 6-8 grades are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 9-12 grades are 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This week, PCS has hosted orientation days for rising 6th graders and 9th graders. Immunizations are required for rising kindergarteners, 7th graders and 12th graders within 30 days of the start of school. To learn more about PCS, click here. PCBRACE is here to normalize conversations about trauma and resilience, pull difficult issues out into the light to obliterate shame, blame, and secrecy to build a better community for our children and ourselves. Click here to learn more about TEDI BEAR Child Advocacy Center. Sign up for the virtual Stewards of Children Click here to learn more about NC Stop Human Trafficking. Check out NC Stop Human Trafficking's learning opportunities. Attend the documentary screening, "Human Trafficking in North Carolina" Support NC Stop Human Trafficking's, and grab a ticket to BBQ, Bluegrass & Brew. Click here to learn more about BRACE (Building Resilience Against Courage to Excel).

This month we are highlighting the important work of the Pitt County Coalition on Substance Use with a chat with its executive director, Lillie Malpass. PCBRACE is here to normalize conversations about trauma and resilience, pull difficult issues out into the light to obliterate shame, blame, and secrecy to build a better community for our children and ourselves. To learn more about PCCSU, click here. Click here to learn more about TEDI BEAR Child Advocacy Center. Sign up for the virtual Stewards of Children Click here to learn more about NC Stop Human Trafficking. Check out NC Stop Human Trafficking's learning opportunities. Click here to learn more about BRACE (Building Resilience Against Courage to Excel). We are taking a break in July, so we'll see you August. We can't wait to chat.

This month we are recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month with our guests, Keith Letchworth, vice president of the Pitt County chapter of NAMI, and Derick Fields, secretary of the Pitt County Chapter of NAMI and certified NAMI Peer Support Facilitator. Join us as we learn about what the National Alliance on Mental Illness has to offer as well as a conversation around destigmatizing mental illness. PCBRACE is here to normalize the conversations about trauma and resilience, pull difficult issues out into the light to obliterate the shame, blame, and secrecy to build a better community for our children and ourselves. NAMI of Pitt County Programs: Family Support Group Peer Support Group Click here to check out NAMI North Carolina. Click here to check out NAMI. Click here to listen to April's Podcast to learn more about WEAR and SHARPE program from the Pitt County Sheriff's Office. Click here to learn more about TEDI BEAR Child Advocacy Center. Sign up for the virtual Stewards of Children Click here to learn more about NC Stop Human Trafficking. Check out NC Stop Human Trafficking's learning opportunities. Click here to learn more about BRACE (Building Resilience Against Courage to Excel). Don't forget to follow our pod for updates every month!

This month we welcome representatives from the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, Venus Curry, community programs coordinator, and Sgt. Lee Darnell, public information officer, to discuss the amazing work the Pitt County Sheriff's Office is doing to build resilience in the community through its community programming and the programs, such as WEAR and SHARP, being offered at the Pitt County Detention Center. PCBRACE is here to normalize the conversations about trauma and resilience, pull difficult issues out into the light to obliterate the shame, blame, and secrecy to build a better community for our children and ourselves. Pitt County Sheriff's Office Programs: Learn more about S.U.M.M.E.R. program Learn more about S.H.A.R.P. and W.E.A.R. programs Learn more about the GED program Learn more about Serving Our Seniors program Click here to learn more about TEDI BEAR Child Advocacy Center. Sign up for the virtual Stewards of Children Click here to learn more about NC Stop Human Trafficking. Check out NC Stop Human Trafficking's learning opportunities. Click here to learn more about BRACE (Building Resilience Against Courage to Excel).

This month we welcome Morgan Tedder, executive director of Rocking Horse Ranch. Rocking Horse Ranch offers equine therapy for those experiencing the effects of trauma and other disabilities. Its mission is to improve each participant's quality of life so that they can become more independent, productive, and active members of our community.  PCBRACE is here to normalize the conversations about trauma and resilience, pull difficult issues out into the light to obliterate the shame, blame, and secrecy to build a better community for our children and ourselves. Click here to learn more about the Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program. Check out the Derby Dash Bash!  Support Rocking Horse Ranch. Click here to learn more about TEDI BEAR Child Advocacy Center. Sign up for the virtual Stewards of Children Click here to learn more about NC Stop Human Trafficking. Check out NC Stop Human Trafficking's learning opportunities. Click here to learn more about BRACE (Building Resilience Against Courage to Excel).

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and we know that teens are vulnerable to intimate partner violence and bullying outside of the home. Learn more about teen dating violence and the resources that are available with our guest Maddy Day, child counselor, at the Center for Family Violence Prevention. Not only does she discuss dating violence among teens, but she also has a nuanced look at prevention and supporting caregivers who may have experienced intimate partner violence themselves. Come talk with us about these hard issues. Let's normalize the conversations, pull these difficult issues out into the light to obliterate the shame, blame, and secrecy to build a better community for our children and ourselves. Click here to learn more about the Center for Family Violence Prevention. Click here to learn more about TEDI BEAR Child Advocacy Center. Click here to learn more about NC Stop Human Trafficking. Click here to learn more about BRACE (Building Resilience Against Courage to Excel).

Welcoming Sharon Rochelle- New Director of Pitt County DSS- She has heart for her people and her new community! She is ready to dive in and do the good work! Get to know a little about her and her vision for her department!  We look forward to ongoing collaboration with her in the future!  In addition- Hop onto the NC Stop Human Trafficking website for more details regarding prevention programs being highlighted this month. NC Stop Human Trafficking - Give to stop human trafficking in North Carolina (networkforgood.com) Register for the ongoing trainings being provided there and at Home | TEDI BEAR Children’s Advocacy Center | ECU Together, we can prevent child sexual abuse/maltreatment, exploitation, and trafficking!

PC BRACE November 2022 Dr, Jennifer Matthews Talks about the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Efforts in Pitt County. Pitt County has 4 Certified CRM Teachers offering the Community Resiliency Model trainings to the public. CRM teaches skills to help children and adults experiencing stress and traumatic stress reactions. These skills can be used as a wellness practice, to promote wellbeing and support our ability to walk through the world as our best selves. To sign up for a training or request one for your group or agency, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]. 

PC BRACE 2022 September Edition  Desha Lane Executive Director from Impact Youth- Speaks about the program, the inspiration behind its creation, and the impact on the community. Welcome to Desha. We love hearing about the work she and her team are doing to benefit the children of PITT County.

PC BRACE 2022 The August Edition- D'Nise Williams of ECU Health Injury Prevention

Welcome to Kiersten Mahaffy, Professional Development Coordinator, and Ashley Smith, Community Outreach Coordinator from Martin Pitt Partnership! Together they talk about the good work that revolves around the importance of developing relationships between parents and children, parents as partners, community partners and strengthening the community through the resources and activities that they provide each and every day.

PCBRACE 2022 June Edition- Greenville's Juneteenth Celebration/PRIDE Event Details- Community Connections ARE Protective Factors and Prevention!  Welcome to Tiffanie Herring and Nancy Winterbauer as they talk about these two fabulous CommUnity Events!

PCBRACE2022 Podcast for April- Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month- Join us as we welcome Ta'sha Woolard and Monica Daniels from PITT COUNTY DSS.

This week Bonnie Jean and Melinda welcome NAMI Pitt County President and local author, Tiffanie Herring. Join us as Tiffanie shares information regarding the Pitt County community efforts for NAMI and her inspiration for writing her new book, Simply De-Escalate.

Michele Marston Stevens, Regional Director of Koinonia Community Solutions speaks to us about the mission and focus areas of services that Koinonia is bringing to Greenville, Pitt County and surrounding areas in Northeastern, NC- through education, economic empowerment and housing initiatives. Together we talk about how this supports the work of prevention and providing protective factors for families.

Michele Marston Stevens, Regional Director of Koinonia Community Solutions speaks to us about the mission and focus areas of services that Koinonia is bringing to Greenville, Pitt County and surrounding areas in Northeastern, NC- through education, economic empowerment and housing initiatives. Together we talk about how this supports the work of prevention and providing protective factors for families.

Special guest, Tom Quigley from the JOY Soup Kitchen talks about the fabulous community work and impact going on at JOY!  These folks and partners support to the community in a multitude ways. We are filled with JOY to be speaking with him about all that is going on.

Quick Updates and End of the Year Round up! 

The kick-off to 19 Day of Prevention- Prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences/promotion of Resilience- BRACE Leadership Team members/ECU professors Dr. Jennifer Matthews and Dr. Erin Roberts talk about the new BRACE Website, monthly resources and promoting tools for the prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma. 

What does it take to be a Child Life Specialist Intern? And why is that such an important skill to have? Thanks to Brinkley Collier from ECU for filling us in on such a special program.

What do we have in store for you this month to observe April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month...

Melinda and Bonnie Jean are at it again!  Spreading the word in any way that they can about the prevention of child sexual abuse and the commercial sexual exploitation of children; as well as physical abuse.  While EVERY DAY is an opportunity to protect children, 365 days of the year, we will have 19 DAYS in November where a specific topic will be highlighted within an educational opportunity via a virtual format.

Melinda and Bonnie Jean are at it again!  Spreading the word in any way that they can about the prevention of child sexual abuse and the commercial sexual exploitation of children; as well as physical abuse.  While EVERY DAY is an opportunity to protect children, 365 days of the year, we will have 19 DAYS in November where a specific topic will be highlighted within an educational opportunity via a virtual format.  

Special guest-podcasting on the porch with Melinda Sampson and Bonnie Jean Kuras: Portia Willis, from the Center for Family Violence Prevention. The three community outreach educators talking about the importance of teaching consent.

Part 1 with special guest, Portia Willis, from the Center for Family Violence Prevention.

Join us as we welcome Lauren Anzelone and Brittany Bradford from a new and recent start-up called a Lamb's Place- Transitional Housing for Young Adults.

Listen as we welcome Samar Badwan- Arabic Interpreter and Teacher of children with autism for Pitt County Schools, Chair of the Human Relations Council for the City of Greenville, NC and Board Member/Spokesperson for her local mosque.

Kristy Moore, the Regional Supervisor from Youth Villages talks about services and needs for youth in the community. Take a listen and sponsor a child.

Denise Williams is the Child Trauma Response Victim Advocate for Greenville, NC. 

What is Daughter's of Worth and how is the work of this community group impacting the lives of the girls in our area?  Listen to our interview with Founder and CEO of Daughters of Worth, Liz Liles to find out.

Amanda Parmelee - Director of Community Outreach for Martin Pitt Partnership for Children talks about the resources available to our community! Parents of young children will find valuable resources at the Martin Pitt Partnership for Children.

Pam Strickland Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Leah Arnold- Lawyer for the non-profit Battered Immigrant Project joins us to talk about the services provided through Legal Aid NC and the Battered Immigrant Project, the needs in the community and ways that you can support the work being done for members of our community.

Join us as we welcome Max Sutton from Easter Seals to PCBRACE2019!  Max gives a great run down of the services provided at EasterSeals through the MST and OPT programs that she works with!  Wonderful to hear about the efforts being made to shift the focus from families being "at risk" to being "high potential"!  

Special Guest Jessica Holton- What PTSD is. What causes it and who experiences it. Clarification, understanding and response strategies

Special guest TEDI BEAR CAC’s own, Kia Glosson, talks about the BRACE movement in PITT COUNTY. Learn a thing or two about Adverse Childhood Experiences and the work this group is doing to bring resiliency skills to the community!

Upcoming activities that highlight the resources available to families/mental in PITT County.

Third installation of our conversation. Bloopers, included!

Definition of Child Abuse/what it looks like.

Introduction episode to mark April- Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.