Trauma-Informed Leadership and Workplace Culture Insights

This Monday, people across the US will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day to mark the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement, which...

Last week, we discussed how to recognize trauma states at work. The classic fight, flight, freeze, and appease trauma responses can...

Recognizing trauma responses is an important skill for trauma-informed leaders to learn—and knowing these common trauma responses is a great place to start. When we view the world with a trauma-informed lens, we can identify two distinct states of mind or headspaces. Of course, this is an overly simplified model that helps us understand the neurobiology of trauma —but it can help us easily identify when someone (including ourselves) is experiencing a trauma response. These t

Download this newsletter as a printable PDF: Monthly Reflections July brought challenges for many as we collectively processed the trauma...

Most people acknowledge the close link between childhood trauma and social-emotional problems later in life. Studies have also shown that...

Last week I spent 3 days with a room full of exhausted yet engaged teachers, who were eager to learn about trauma and not only how it applied to their students, but how it was showing up for them. In the process of the training, we spent considerable time talking about Maslow's Hierarchy. Later that night, I was invited to the school board meeting, to share our progress and the important work being done in the district. Unprompted, their board president started talking about

When we experience a traumatic event, shame and guilt are common survival skills we rely on. Like the flight, fight, freeze and appease...

Trigger Warning: Please note that this blog contains a discussion of suicide, self-injurious behavior, depression and/or references of...

If you need access to a crisis helpline right now, call 800-273-8255, the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trigger Warning:...

In the past several weeks, we’ve explored what resilience is and how we can create resilience in our lives and organizations through...

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) -- The Chefalo family has taken a lot of trips over the past few years for...

I live in a world full of people with giant hearts. Its true. Everywhere you look in the world of Human Services and Child Advocacy you...

Six years ago, our family gave up Christmas! That's right, we gave it all up: no tress, no decorations, no fancy ham dinner and...

I try really hard on this blog to bring you thoughts and ideas that you might not have heard before. I try to speak not only from my...

Did you know nearly 50% of foster children end up incarcerated within two years of aging out of the foster care system? During her nearly...

Sorry I’ve been silent. I’ve been brooding, angry over the system, policies and government. I find it is best that I don’t write when I’m...

Shenandoah Chefalo is back, continuing on for those who can’t find their voice. Welcome to the 62nd episode of Giving Back Insights, my...

Last year at this time, I received a private Facebook message from an individual who was struggling. She was a professional who was...

Most people are familiar with the horror stories associated with our foster care system. Our guest for this program, Ms. Shenandoah...

Shenandoah Chefalo, author of "Garbage Bag Suitcase: A Memoir," calls attention to a failing American foster care system. You can listen...