FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mara Powell, Kentucky Youth Advocates
mpowell@kyyouth.org
Bounce Coalition to partner with YMCA of Greater Louisville and Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana for Trauma-Informed Care Supports
Over 600 staff from YMCA of Greater Louisville and Boys and Girls Club of Kentuckiana to participate in program
Louisville, KY (October 06, 2020) – The Bounce Coalition and C.E. and S. Foundation have partnered in work to provide training and support to two of Louisville’s out-of-school time and early childcare providers throughout the next year. Bounce will partner with YMCA of Greater Louisville’s Infant, Toddler and Preschool Program and School-Age Child Care Program (K-8), and Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana’s legacy clubs in the Newburg, Parkland, and Shawnee neighborhoods to become trauma-informed organizations – serving children and families through self-sustaining healing-centered policies and practices.
Across the country, there is growing recognition of trauma’s profound negative impact on the health and well-being of children and adults. Exposure to abuse, neglect, systemic discrimination, and violence increases the risk for poor health outcomes throughout life. Yet it is possible to foster resilience, equipping people with the tools to effectively respond to adversity and bounce back.
Each organization will have the opportunity to develop a 12-month plan that will address organizational needs and will include participation in Bounce trainings, professional development, technical assistance, and other learning opportunities.
“The Bounce Coalition is committed to supporting organizations in strengthening their ability to deliver trauma-informed services to even our youngest children,” said Betty “BJ” Adkins, co-chair of the Bounce Coalition. “Bounce’s partnership with the YMCA of Greater Louisville and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana will help children in our community develop a sense of security and consistency, mitigating the impact of trauma that children experience.”
“As a result of this project, the Bounce Coalition will assist our childcare programs in establishing services for our community that are both evidence-based and trauma-informed, as well as providing our staff with practical tools to develop resilience-building skills amongst our youth with positive impact now and for the future,” said Steve Tarver, CEO of YMCA of Greater Louisville.
“We are eager to partner with the Bounce Coalition, because we know that we must understand the impact of trauma and develop resilience-building practices within our programs to best serve the youth in our care,” said Jennifer Helgeson, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana.
“The C.E. and S. Foundation is pleased to support this collaboration between the Bounce Coalition, the YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs as part of our interest in improving education outcomes for children in Louisville,” said Tess McNair, Executive Director of C. E. and S. Foundation. “At a time when students are increasingly faced with difficulties and uncertainties that affect their wellbeing, this partnership has the potential to build resilience that will help them be successful.”
For more information about the Bounce Coalition and its available trainings, visit www.bouncecoalition.org.
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About The Bounce Coalition
The mission of Bounce is to build the resilience of children and families by improving knowledge about the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the skills to help youth bounce back from adversity. Visit bouncecoalition.org to learn more.
