Introduction from Bounce Co-Chair Betty J. Adkins, M.Ed.:

“Yesterday is experience. Tomorrow is hope.” -John M. Henry

That quote captures the philosophy of Bounce, not only for the adults and children Bounce touches, but also for the journey that the Bounce leadership team began in 2013 when it formed as the Coalition for Louisville’s Youth with the intention of “Investing in Kentucky’s Future.” We grew from our experiences and moved forward with hope – spreading the Bounce message into 53 Kentucky counties, engaging legislators, and educating over 2,500 persons in 2021.

A positive adult relationship is the strongest predictor of resilience for kids. Bounce sends that message as we build relationships with each other and as we train based on that value so that many can be reached, and hope is built for tomorrow. Children are vulnerable. Often, they aren’t cognizant that choices exist, and that yesterday’s experience does not define them. Children need one caring adult to believe in them – that’s it. Bounce is building such a cadre of volunteers who care. This report highlights the reach of Bounce in 2021. Yesterday was our experience and we have hope that Bounce will touch more lives tomorrow.

Trainings and Education:

Throughout 2021, Bounce trained 2,369 people on a variety of topics related to Adverse Childhood Experiences, trauma, and building resilience. 238 people from across the state took part in a screening of the documentary Resilience: The Biology of Stress and Science of Hope, followed by a facilitated discussion.

Bounce Certified Trainers:

Bounce grew its bench of trainers across the state by training and certifying 115 new Bounce Trainers in its Bounce University: Train the Trainer program, bringing our total number of Certified Trainers to 234. In addition, Bounce held its first annual Bounce trainers convening where Certified Bounce Trainers had the opportunity to hear the latest research related to trauma and resilience, learn about updates to Bounce trainings and training offerings, and engage with other trainers from across the state.

Bounce Grand Rounds:

In 2021, Bounce hosted two virtual Bounce Grand Rounds events with partners from across the state. Topics included supporting disconnected students in a virtual world and supporting foster youth and foster families. 235 people attended the virtual events live with over 160 video views of the event on YouTube.

Statewide Reach:

Over the past year, Bounce has sought to provide services and expertise throughout the state of Kentucky. As a result, Bounce ended the year having engaged with 53 counties across the state in ACEs education, training, awareness building, and other technical assistance related to creating trauma-informed communities.

Cross-Sector Reach:

Bounce has also extended its reach by engaging a more diverse set of professionals and community members to ensure all individuals across the state are aware of trauma and have the tools to build resilience in themselves and their communities. In 2021, Bounce engaged with hospitals, school districts, educational cooperatives, out-of-school time providers, health departments, city and state government departments, school associations, youth- and family-serving organizations, residential treatment facilities, comprehensive community care organizations, managed care organizations, parents, foster parents, kinship caregivers, and other caregivers.

Growth in Leadership:

In 2021, Bounce welcomed two new Executive Committee members to its leadership team:

Keith Hickman is the Executive Director of Collective Impact at the IIRP Graduate School (IIRP). In this role, he works with partner organizations, both domestically and globally, to pursue the IIRP mission of positively impacting social health. Keith builds alliances with state education departments and national collaboratives. He served as an advisor to the Maryland Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Restorative Practices, and a partner scholar on the CASEL Equity Work Group and Research Development and Design Team for the California Safe, Healthy, Responsive Schools Network. He is currently on the Advisory Committee for the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution in New York City, and an Executive Board Member for Inflexion, a nonprofit group that helps school leaders transform schools for the better. Keith has served in high-level leadership positions for various K-12 educational organizations including the New York City Department of Education and New Leaders for New Schools. In 2000, he helped found the Youth Justice Project at the Harlem Community Justice Center, one of four community justice centers under the Center of Court Innovation, which inspired other restorative justice programs in the Bronx, mid-town Manhattan and Red Hook, Brooklyn. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology of Human Development from Antioch College and completing his masters with IIRP.

Damien Sweeney, Ed.D. serves as the Program Coordinator for Comprehensive School Counseling at the Kentucky Department of Education where he works alongside school counselors to equip them with best practices. Sweeney is also an adjunct professor at the University of the Cumberlands and Spalding University. With a passion for change agency and social justice, Dr. Sweeney has served as a special education teacher, English teacher and high school counselor in Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville, KY). Sweeney holds a Master’s in Teaching Special Education and Secondary English from Bellarmine University along with a Master’s in Education for School Counseling and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisville. Dr. Sweeney’s wife is Dr. Abigail Sweeney and they have three boys, Smith, Shawn and Parker.

Bounce Social Media:

Bounce grew by 100 followers on social media and the content on social media was viewed over 53,171. Follow Bounce on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for our monthly email updates.