Learning, Healing, and the Role of Schools in Grant County
An in-service event for 600 educators in Grant County shows how schools play a pivotal role in both preventing and addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences, strengthening student health, safety, and academic achievement.
by Dominic Cappello
November 18, 2024
In November, I had the pleasure and honor to facilitate an in-service for 600 school personnel representatives from the school districts in Grant County, focusing on the root causes of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the impact of ACEs on students and their families. The in-service was initiated by Silver City Schools superintendent William Hawkins and proved to be a remarkable gathering dedicated to professional development and inspiration. The atmosphere was charged with energy and enthusiasm in an auditorium at Western New Mexico University, with a crowd size that was more common with concerts than school in-services. Long-time educator and Silver City resident Lt. Governor Howie Morales introduced me and invited participants to engage in a morning of activities designed to enhance their understanding of childhood trauma, school engagement, teaching practices, and foster student success.
Starting with the story of eight-year-old Anna
I discussed our book, Anna, Age Eight: The data-driven prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment, and presented its contents to weave together best practices in ACEs prevention, innovative strategies to address ACEs-related trauma, and research-backed methodologies for supporting families in accessing vital services to increase family health. We sent every attendee home with an electronic copy of the book, hoping they would continue their professional development and, possibly, be inspired to establish an Anna, Age Eight book club in their school and community to grow public awareness of ACEs and childhood trauma.
Grant County In-Service 2024
Inspiring scene from Grant County’s School in-service: These images include Silver City School Superintendent William Hawkins, Lt. Governor Howie Morales, and Anna, Age Eight Institute Co-Director Dominic Cappello.
The role of schools in an epidemic of ACEs
The in-service informed attendees about new tools and technologies and encouraged them to think critically about their approaches to creating school and community environments where all students could thrive. During my talk, I emphasized that schools play a pivotal role in both preventing and addressing ACEs and trauma by implementing trauma-informed practices and creating supportive environments for students. I introduced the public health concept of the social determinants of health, the vital services that determine every student’s health, safety, education, and quality of life. I emphasized that schools are one of society’s most important drivers and influencers for a student to have a healthy and prosperous life, and I also shared our 100% New Mexico report that reveals that a third to half of families struggle to access vital services. This urgent challenge needs to be addressed with partners in the community, schools and local government.
Strategies for schools to serve 100% of students
I also introduced the 100% New Mexico initiative, implemented in 17 counties so far, with participants working to ensure ten vital services for families to thrive. A key part of the initiative is developing family resource centers within schools and communities. These centers, currently being developed with support from 100% New Mexico initiative teams in Roswell and Farmington, aim to provide vital services that address the social determinants of health, transforming adverse conditions into positive outcomes. Schools can help mitigate the impact of ACEs and foster resilience among students by ensuring that families have access to essential resources.
Overall, the in-service was not just a learning opportunity, but a celebration of the teaching profession. It served as a powerful reminder of educators’ profound impact on their students’ lives. The post-event conversations were filled with a sense of community, reinforcing that educators are not alone in their journey. They are part of a larger network dedicated to continuous improvement within schools and community organizations that strengthen student health, safety, and academic achievement.
You’re invited
All members of the school communities in every county have the opportunity to join with the 100% New Mexico initiative to ensure that every student and their family have access to the ten vital services for surviving and thriving through community-based and school-based family resource centers, along with school-based healthcare. Contact us to learn how every community becomes a 100% county.
Did you know? Our transformational 100% New Mexico initiative is guided by web-based, self-paced courses provided free to all New Mexicans.
ENROLL TO GET STARTED
Dominic Cappello
Cappello is a New York Times bestselling author and TEDx Conference curator with decades of experience advocating for health, safety and education. He has a Master of Arts in Liberal studies with an emphasis on Language and Communication from Regis University. He worked for the New Mexico Department of Health Epidemiology and Response Division and the New Mexico Child Protective Services Research, Assessment and Data Bureau, where he co-developed the Data Leader for Child Welfare program, which he implemented in New York City, Connecticut and New Mexico.
MoreDon’t miss a blog post! Get notified!
The 100% New Mexico initiative is a program of the Anna, Age Eight Institute at New Mexico State University, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service. Contact: annaageeight@nmsu.edu or visit annaageeight.nmsu.edu to learn more.
