How Co-Regulation Supports Early Childhood Growth

How Co-Regulation Supports Early Childhood Growth

Summary: Importance of Co-Regulation Experiences in early life set the stage for a child’s ability to notice and regulate emotions and behavior. During early childhood, children’s brains continue to develop rapidly, which is closely linked to their capacity for self-awareness and regulation. Infants and toddlers who receive predictable, consistent, and nurturing caregiving develop brain connections…

teacher helping stressed student

Behavior as Communication in Early Childhood

Many early childhood practitioners report that managing problematic behaviors is their main challenge. What can you do when sticker charts, rewards, and punishments, such as taking away toys or play, don’t work? A vital component of a trauma-informed, resilience-focused approach to working in early childhood is understanding that behavior is the way children communicate. This…

Essential Strategies for School Safety: Insights from Starr Experts

Essential Strategies for School Safety: Insights from Starr Experts

In June, Starr experts highlighted important concepts through two articles on the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (MASA) website. In an article titled “Protecting Schools from Violence: What Matters Most?” Dr. Caelan Soma, Starr’s Chief Clinical Officer, outlines how schools need comprehensive safety plans with preventive measures, emergency responses, and recovery strategies that are…

toddler in therapy session

Understanding the SITCAP® Model: A Guide to Trauma and Resilience

Key Points: Brain science supports the efficacy of Starr’s Clinical Foundations of Trauma and Resilience and SITCAP® model in addressing trauma and fostering resilience. The SITCAP® model is accessible to various professionals, not just licensed mental health practitioners, facilitating wider implementation. Research highlights trauma as a public health crisis but identifies protective factors and interventions…

Starr Commonwealth Hosts Transformative Community Forum on Innovative Approach to Poverty

Starr Commonwealth Hosts Transformative Community Forum on Innovative Approach to Poverty

Starr Commonwealth, a leading organization dedicated to healing trauma and building resilience in children, families, and communities, hosted a community forum titled “An Innovative Approach to Poverty.” The event, held at Starr Commonwealth’s Albion campus on May 22, 2024, featured Dr. Marcella Wilson, Founder & CEO of Transition to Success® (TTS). Dr. Wilson, with over…

clinician with child

Transform Your Clinical Practice: Master Trauma-Informed Care with Starr Commonwealth’s Certified Trauma and Resilience Specialist Certification

Are you ready to advance your expertise in trauma-informed care with a Certified Trauma and Resilience Specialist certification from Starr Commonwealth? Dr. Caelan Soma answers all your questions about Starr’s new Clinical Foundations for Trauma and Resilience packages below. About Dr. Soma Dr. Caelan Soma, PsyD, LMSW, Chief Clinical Officer, oversees all clinical operations and…

Supporting Safe Experiences in Early Childhood Care

Supporting Safe Experiences in Early Childhood Care

Are you passionate about creating a safe and nurturing environment for young children? Well, you’ll love this topic – Supporting a physically and psychologically safe experience in Early Childhood Care. Let’s explore how we can create a warm and welcoming space that supports the growth and development of our little ones! Early childhood educators play…

Woman giving hug to child

Join us at a community forum, An Innovative Approach to Poverty

Learn about the root causes of poverty based on scientific evidence. Learn about this proven program that empowers those you serve and utilize existing resources coordinated across all sectors. Marcella Wilson, Ph.D. has over 30 years of extensive experience in healthcare administration, nonprofit management, behavioral health, criminal justice and public sector programming. As CEO and…

Starr Commonwealth Acknowledged Once More Among Top Nonprofits for Workplace Excellence

Starr Commonwealth Acknowledged Once More Among Top Nonprofits for Workplace Excellence

For the fourth consecutive year, Starr Commonwealth has been named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in 2023 by the NonProfit Times.  The leader in providing trauma-informed care and services to children and families was one of 50 organizations recognized as a nonprofit leader in creating quality workplaces. Honorees demonstrate exceptional commitment to…

School readiness and success: Are you meeting basic needs?

School readiness and success: Are you meeting basic needs?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Circle of Courage model of Resilience Conversations and curriculums to promote school readiness in early childhood programs tend to focus on cognitive development, academics, concentration, and focus. In many cases, the priority must be basic needs. For children to be successful in school, they need to be well-fed, sleep…

mind body skills

Sensory-based strategies: Support Children’s Learning and Behavior

What is a sensory-based intervention or strategy? Sensory-based strategies involve any five senses: Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—the central nervous system changes based on the input of various sensations. When a child of any age is engaged in learning and can complete tasks, their central nervous system is regulated and balanced. However, when a…

How adults can help youth engage in helpful and appropriate social media use

How adults can help youth engage in helpful and appropriate social media use

Social media is not inherently helpful to young people. The impact of social media and what youth see and do online depends on several variables. An adolescent’s personality, psychological characteristics, social circumstances, context in which they have grown up, strengths, and vulnerabilities are all characteristics that determine social media’s effect on youth. Adolescent development is…

The Vaping Epidemic

The Vaping Epidemic

Vaping is a public health concern of epidemic size identified by several health agencies, including the United States Department of Health and Human Services, The Public Health Administration of Canada, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 2.1 million youth currently use…

Supporting Staff Towards a Resilience Focused Mindset Shift

Supporting Staff Towards a Resilience Focused Mindset Shift

Mindset is the most critical step for making lasting changes within a school or organization aspiring to be trauma-informed and resilience-focused. We know that when trauma-informed, resilience-focused adults work within trauma-informed and resilience-focused systems, the well-being of all children increases. However, like with any change, people will experience various reactions to a shift in mindset….

Behavior is your clue: Understanding the window of tolerance

Behavior is your clue: Understanding the window of tolerance

Behavior is communication. Even though adults often tell children to “use your words,” the reality is that children (and adults, too) often struggle to find the words to describe what they are feeling and what they want or need. This is especially true when stress is high. This means that being hungry, tired, bored, overstimulated,…