Mission
To build a trauma-informed community based on shared values and goals, through a community-based system of care, implementing trauma awareness, understanding, prevention, and healing.
Vision
For our county to be a safe and resilient community that surrounds, supports, and protects children and adults from trauma, re-traumatization, and its adverse effects.
We know from research, such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences study (ACEs), that trauma experiences in childhood (with various forms of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, household violence, and dysfunction) shows a powerful correlation to greater risk factors of poor outcomes later in life. Those adverse consequences include a dramatically increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, substance use, smoking, poor academic achievement, missed time with work, and yes, even early death. The personal, societal and financial consequences are immense and unfortunately, just as Dr. Levine states, “Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, misunderstood, and untreated cause of human suffering.”
However, there is HOPE.
“If we work together as a community, creating safety and resiliency to prevent and heal trauma, we will achieve a positive social change that will benefit each and every one in Highlands County.” - Madeleine ‘Anna’ Leonhardt, Director of Children’s Services
FOR APRIL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH:
4-02-2024: Wear Blue Day! 8am – Child Abuse Prevention Month Kickoff on Highlands County Courthouse Lawn Gail T. Werley, CAC Manager: Introduction and Welcome Bill Trucano, CAC Victim Services Specialist/Chaplain: Prayer and Pledge Liz Pendergrast, Champion for Children Foundation: Prevention Kadian Parchment, Heartland for Children: Foster care Amberlee Rogers, Worthy and Known Family Project: Resilience Entertainment by RCMA
9am – Proclamation at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting
10am to 12pm – “Resilience” Screening by Kadian Parchment, Heartland for Children Circle Theater, Sebring Register by emailing mleonhardt@championforchildren.org
1pm to 3pm - Church Connect, Circle Theatre, 202 Circle Park Drive, Sebring Church representatives – please come & get involved in supporting the needs of our community children!
4-03-2024: 10:30am – Story Time at Lake Placid Library with Liz and therapy dog Stella
4-05-2024: #wearblueday
4-09-2024: 9am to 11:30am – “Darkness To Light” Training by Gail Werley, CAC Family Resource Center, Sebring Register by emailing gwerley@highlandsfl.gov or call 863-402-6860
4-10-2024: 10am – Story Time at Sebring Library with Liz and therapy dog Stella
4-11-2024: 5:30pm to 7:30pm – “Resilience” Screening by Madeleine Leonhardt, Champion for Children Foundation Family Resource Center, Sebring Register by emailing mleonhardt@championforchildren.org
4-17-2024: 10am – Story Time at Avon Park Library with Liz and therapy dog Stella
4-23-2024: 2pm to 4:30pm – “Darkness To Light” Training by Gail Werley, CAC Children’s Advocacy Center, Sebring Register by emailing gwerley@highlandsfl.gov or call 863-402-6860
4-24-2024: 10am – Story Time at Sebring Library with Liz and therapy dog Stella
1pm to 3pm – “Resilience” Screening by Madeleine Leonhardt, Champion for Children Foundation Family Resource Center, Sebring Register by emailing mleonhardt@championforchildren.org
4-25-2024: 10am to 2pm – Child Welfare Provider Fair sponsored by Heartland for Children Bartow Civic Center
Sign up for a local training and become more trauma-informed!
How will YOU help our own “stranded starfish” here in Highlands County?
The Hope for Highlands Task Force is still in need of more participants from various community systems as we need representatives from “all corners” of our community. If you are interested in participating, please contact Anna Richard, Director of Children’s Services, for more information at mleonhardt@championforchildren.org. Our Task Force meetings are currently via zoom.
Task Force MONTHLY Meetings
2nd Wednesday 11 AM-12 PM
