Over 250 people expected to attend the 8th Annual Conference on Dec. 5 – 6
Next week, over 250 people are expected to gather at the Crowne Plaza White Plains for the 8th Annual Sanctuary Network Conference. Here, organizations and individuals will have the opportunity to share the challenges and experiences of practicing Sanctuary.
Already recognized both internationally and nationally, ANDRUS’ Sanctuary Model has built a solid foundation for changing the face of care for children and families that have experienced trauma. Since its inception in 2005, the Institute has worked with close to 300 organizations in 27 states and seven countries to help create trauma-informed organizational cultures, and promote safety and recovery from adversity. Its approach is being adopted by children’s treatment programs, juvenile justice facilities, domestic and homeless shelters, schools and residential facilities worldwide to treat the effects of adverse childhood experiences on later health and behavioral outcomes.
“Sanctuary continues to develop a track record of success,” President of ANDRUS, Mimi Corcoran, said. “It’s a model for how we can transform the way we approach children and families where a cycle of negative responses to challenging situations becomes ingrained and self-perpetuating. Our approach is a game-changer and can play an important role in a broader national discussion. The goal is to change how we view and react to children who are dealing with stressors. We are working with our own staff, but those dealing with these vulnerable children and families in a variety of fields have the opportunity to benefit from the Sanctuary approach. “
At this year’s conference, Dr. Sandra Bloom M.D., Associate Professor, Drexel University School of Public Health, and Laura Porter, Co-Founder of ACE Interface, LLC will deliver keynotes. In addition to those presented by ANDRUS staff, workshops will be presented by other experts and organizations in the field such as: Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC), Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, Sara Reed Children’s Center, and Adelphoi Village.
“Mental health issues, adversity, behavioral challenges, toxic stress and others affect the way people think, learn and feel about themselves and how they react to their environments. Organizations and individuals that are trained in Sanctuary learn to provide the necessary skills for creating and sustaining proactive and responsive environments to meet these needs,” continued Corcoran.
The Sanctuary Model transforms the culture of organizations and is a resource for the adults and children who practice its methods. The core elements of Sanctuary help individuals learn to manage stressors, maintain safety and create opportunities for growth and change.
The Sanctuary model not only helps children and individuals at organizations, but also serves as a resource for employees who are faced serving fragile populations each day. At ANDRUS, all staff members, not just those who work directly with residents, participate in this unique organizational model. The goal is to create a responsive environment that is respectful of all people in the community: both the service providers and those we serve.
About ANDRUS
ANDRUS provides a broad range of social services for families and children through research, training and innovative programs. Founded in 1928, ANDRUS today is a family-centered organization offering an array of innovative programs to help children, families and communities meet their full potential. Based in Yonkers, N.Y. ANDRUS operates 14 locations in Westchester County including three outpatient mental health clinics, home visiting programs, a childcare center, a special education school and residential treatment campus. ANDRUS also operates the Andrus Center for Learning and Innovation and the Sanctuary Institute, which has provided training and consultation to close to 300 organizations worldwide in the use of a trauma-sensitive model for treatment.
