During the post-wildfire flooding of 2021, I witnessed interactions between people who were worried, tired and angry. Residents, volunteers and staff were all scrambling to protect homes, find solutions and bring relief to those impacted. We were all doing our best during a time when nobody’s best seemed good enough. As my time as a city councilmember and then mayor has progressed, I’ve gotten to know many city staff and I see how difficult and stressful their jobs often are. Most would agree … [Read more...] about Promoting a Healthy Community through Trauma-Informed Systems Change
Virginia Watahomigie
Building a Resilient Community
The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y) ignites collective action that creates better lives for children and families. As we transition from a difficult year, we are hoping more than ever that our community will come together. Childhood trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have a large impact on the future health of individuals, and Arizona ranks higher than the national average for ACE exposure. In fact, according to the Arizona ACE Consortium, “It is … [Read more...] about Building a Resilient Community
Childhood Inequities, Neglect, Abuse Hidden in Pandemic
Virginia Watahomigie is worried about our families. As the executive director for the Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y), she knows that isolation, depression and anxiety – all conditions mental health experts say have been made worse by the pandemic – are increasingly having a negative effect on children in Arizona, particularly in rural areas where resources are less available than in larger cities and distances to travel for support are far greater. Watahomigie also is … [Read more...] about Childhood Inequities, Neglect, Abuse Hidden in Pandemic
Understanding How Positive Community Factors Can Prevent Substance Abuse in Youth
The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y) strives to prevent substance abuse and other negative outcomes in adulthood by understanding the effects of childhood traumatic experience and mobilizing community action. Research shows that Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, contribute to the likelihood of addiction. Sadly, however, Arizona ranks higher than the national average for children who have experienced ACEs. These can include childhood traumas such as abuse and neglect. … [Read more...] about Understanding How Positive Community Factors Can Prevent Substance Abuse in Youth
