Resilience. We all need it, but we often struggle with how to teach it – especially to those who need it most. That is where Teri Barila comes in! At a conference in 2007, Teri heard Dr. Rob Anda (one of the authors of the seminal ACEs Study) challenge the audience –  “This will not work if we don’t work within our communities – now go home and make something happen”. Teri did just that. Grassroots at first, Teri began to build what is now – Community Resilience Initiative. CRI brings a lot to the table (including this conference), but for Teri, it’s all fun and games – resilience games that is. We learn better when we are having fun – and that is what makes these tools and resources so effective!

From the Resilience-Building Deck of Cards to creative posters, book marks, coloring sheets and more – Teri will be demonstrating some of the best resilience products (for both kids and adults) on the market. Beyond innovative, these products are user friendly and allow anyone to help learn (and teach) foundational resilience strategies. Strategies that will help support us, our children, our employees, and our community during times of stress or trauma.

Teri believes that it is not about the mistakes we made or being a bad parent, leader, or teacher – it is about learning how our brain works and gaining tools so that we can do better.  For many of us, our response when we first learn about ACEs and the effects of trauma is “No one told me this before!” But once we start hearing and learning, we are never the same.  Understanding trauma, resilience, and trauma-informed care allows us to change the patterns that shaped who we are.  Knowledge + awareness is key to change.

Join Teri to learn, grow, and most of all – have fun!