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SparkWheel now offers free HOPE trainings to schools and communities within designated service areas. These impactful trainings, available in virtual and in-person formats, are designed to help educators, school staff, and community members better understand the effects of childhood adversity and the power of positive connections to foster resilience.
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About the Training: “Sparking HOPE: The Power of Positive Childhood Experiences”
All experiences, both positive and negative, impact a child’s health and well-being -- but the good can outweigh the bad. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) positively influence child development even in the presence of adversity. PCEs give us hope that we can not only heal from trauma but we can protect ourselves against future effects of trauma. This training will provide an overview of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences, introduce the HOPE framework, and provide specific, simple actions you can take to promote resilience.
Details:
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Available in 60-minute, 90-minute, or two-hour sessions to accommodate different schedules.
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It covers essential topics, including ACEs, their long-term impact on behavior and development, and the importance of resilience and positive childhood experiences (PCEs).
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Provides actionable strategies for schools and organizations to incorporate HOPE principles into their existing frameworks.
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Emphasizes a strengths-based, supportive approach to working with children and families affected by trauma and toxic stress.
Unlike standalone intervention models, the HOPE Framework seamlessly integrates into existing school and community efforts, enhancing current initiatives without requiring a new approach. By focusing on positive, personal connections and strengths-based strategies, these trainings equip participants with the tools needed to create meaningful change in their schools and communities.
WHAT IS THE
HOPE Framework?
The Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework is a flexible, strengths-based approach to supporting children and families. It prioritizes equitable access to positive childhood experiences (PCEs). While many models and frameworks also celebrate strengths and promote holistic views of people, the HOPE framework offers a complete approach to practicing PCEs.
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Research shows that PCEs drive healthy development and lessen the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). PCEs allow children to form strong relationships and meaningful connections, cultivate positive self-image and self-worth, experience a sense of belonging, and build skills to cope with stress in healthy ways.
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The Four Building Blocks of HOPE
The Four Building Blocks - relationships, environment, engagement, and emotional growth - promote PCEs that help children grow into healthy, resilient adults. PCEs in these four areas can protect against long-term health outcomes associated with ACEs.
Relationships
Safe and supportive relationships within the family and with other children and adults.
Environment
Safe, equitable, and stable environments where children can live, learn, and play.
Engagement
Opportunities for social and civic engagement to develop a sense of belonging and connectedness.
Emotional Growth
Opportunities for emotional growth where children feel supported through difficult events and emotions.
Connecting the Building Blocks
Children’s brains develop in response to experiences, both positive and harmful. The HOPE framework describes PCEs in supportive environments. These experiences and the relationships around them promote child and adult engagement leading to social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
MEET OUR
HOPE Facilitators
Rachelle Soden, MS, ACC
​Rachelle has been working in early care and education, child abuse prevention, and strengthening families for over 25 years. She is a certified coach and provides coaching and trauma-informed training to individuals and groups. Rachelle weaves decades of adverse childhood experiences research to help individuals recognize the power they have in making a positive impact on others. As a nationally certified HOPE facilitator, she provides strategies that counterbalance trauma and adversities, emphasizing the importance of positive, personal connections and the opportunities we each have to make a difference.
