Parenting Tips After Terrorism and Other Mass Violence

WPRI Channel 12 interviewed Family Service of RI's Sarah Kelly-Palmer, LICSW, in the wake of the mass violence recently in San Bernardino.  This is a "web extra" meaning the interview is longer and more in-depth than normally broadcast in a commercial television newscast.

Sarah gives tips concerning speaking with children in the wake of terrorism and other incidents of mass violence.

Family Service of RI is the area site for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and provides specialized counseling for children and families, including military families, affected by traumatic events.

More Tips for Parents

Other resources for parents may be found at a special page on the Family Service of RI website dedicated to child trauma.  See that page here.

Also, Family Service of RI's Susan Erstling, PhD, wrote an article for RI Parent Magazine about the topic.  See that article here.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is a wonderful resource of information for parents, teachers and others in helping children experiencing trauma.  Visit www.nctsn.org.

RI One of Six Supercommunities for Traumatized Children

Rhode Island is one of six supercommunities for traumatized children across the nation--and the only one in New England.

Family Service of RI and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families will be making a big announcement later this week at The Rhode Island Foundation.

More details soon.

Child Stress & Trauma & Sandy's Aftermath

Family Service of Rhode Island’s child trauma and loss center has tips to help children deal with stress in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Susan Erstling, PhD

"Sandy was a serious disruption in our lives, and young children may react to this in multiple ways,” said Susan Erstling, PhD, who heads the center at Family Service of Rhode Island, which is the National Child Traumatic Stress Network site for Rhode Island.

 “Depending on the child’s age and level of development, reactions may include problems at school, difficulties sleeping, fear, and withdrawal from friends and family,” she said.

Some quick tips from Dr. Erstling to lessen childhood stress:

1) Parents should try to remain calm. This sets an example for how to manage stress.

2) One of the best lessons to teach a child is to have plans and back-up plans for moving forward. It sets an example of preparation and recovery and how to master stress. “We want our children to think this way,” she said.

3) Find alternatives to watching media reports. Focus attention on fun and productive activities and positive energy. Limit exposure to adult conversations which may frighten younger children.

4) Try to keep to routines.

5) Be prepared to answers questions, and truly listen to fears.

6) Children may worry about relatives and friends, so keep up communications with others if possible.

“If the child continues to show unusual behavior several weeks after the storm, a professional evaluation from a mental health professional would be advised,” she said.

More child stress prevention tips are available here.

Family Service of Rhode Island is a human service and education nonprofit organization.

$1.6 Million to Reduce Child Trauma; Military Families a Priority

Left to right: Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO of Family Service of RI; Dr. Susan Erstling, who heads the Family Service of RI child trauma center; Congressman David Cicilline; Dr. Janice DeFrances, director of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families; and Francis Paranzino, vice president/chief operating officer of Newport County Community Mental Health Center, a partnering agency with Family Service of RI.

Congressman David Cicilline and Family Service of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff today announced that the non-profit has been awarded a $1.6 million federal grant to reduce the impact of trauma on the state’s children, with military families being a priority.

The announcement took place in a therapy office at the agency’s Hope Street, Providence, Rhode Island, location. On the walls were messages from children receiving treatment for sexual abuse and other issues. 

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