Essex County Council for Young Children: Centering Parent Leadership to Foster a Trauma Informed Newark

What does it look like to create a trauma-informed early care and education community? Why is centering parent leaders critical to achieving this vision? In our 13th episode, we learn about the innovative work that the Essex County Council for Young Children (ECCYC) is leading to foster meaningful cross-sector partnerships between agencies and parents to create healthy, thriving, and resilient communities. Based in Newark, New Jersey, ECCYC is made up of a coalition of parents and families, along with providers and other community members as active partners, who identify and discuss the issues that affect the health, education and safety of children from pregnancy to eight in Essex County, including the important role of childhood trauma and adverse early experience. A leading statewide model for authentic parent engagement and leadership, ECCYC is made up of majority parent involvement in key leadership roles and is actively working with peer communities to share their trauma-informed and parent leadership approach across the state of New Jersey. Through our conversation, we learn about why parent leadership matters, their cross-sector collaborative approach, and the importance of meeting people where they are at and honoring each of our gifts in this work. Learn more and stay connected with ECCYC at https://www.facebook.com/Essex.Council. 

Guests include:

• Dr. Beverly Lynn, CEO, Programs for Parents, Inc
• Judy Bennett, Consultant to Essex County Council for Young Children 
• Altorice Frazier, Parent, Essex County Council for Young Children Co-Chair; Executive Director, Parents Engaging Parents 
• Host: Ronda Alexander, Director of Operations, Vital Village Network

Produced by: Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing
Music By: Morgan Breland
Edited by: Diana Rivera