Friday, September 13, 2013

NYC SAMHSA TRAINING 9/16

Trauma Informed Care 

A Change in Perspective

Monday, September 16, 2013 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

455 1st Ave - New York, NY 10016 


  • Definition of trauma
  • Effect it has on the brain
  • 4 strategies to reduce the likelihood of re-traumatication
  • 2 ways it affects people developmentally, psychologically and physiologically
  • 2 action steps to implement in trauma-informed practices 

RSVP: email name, organization & contact number to Dira Severino dseverino@health.nyc.gov



Tuesday, September 10, 2013

NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Donna Morrison



Donna Morrison is an active member of NYSPEP's Professional Development workgroup. She also has volunteered to represent NYSPEP on the Stronger Families Coalition.

Ms. Morrison currently serves The Guidance Center of Westchester in New Rochelle, NY as the Early Childhood Director. She oversees six programs that comprise the Early Childhood Department including a New York State Education Department Licensed Therapeutic Nursery, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) classes, and a unique mental health consultation called "Foundations in Feelings" for child care settings.

Ms. Morrison has served the Early Childhood field for over 25 years in various settings including public schools, private day cares, and most recently Head Start. She is a professional workshop presenter for the National, New York State, and Westchester Associations for the Education of Young Children. Ms. Morrison identifies herself as "An Early Childhood Educator passionate about Mental Health whose job is to listen to the children, believe the children, and speak for the children and their families".

Her professional affiliations include: New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP), National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Head Start Association, Zero to Three, Early Childhood Network of Yonkers and Mt. Vernon (SOC) the 0-6 subcommittee for Westchester County Committee on Children and Families.

Ms. Morrison is currently co-developing NYSPEP's upcoming Strong Roots Training Institute workshop on Reflective Practice and is slated to present in Buffalo and New York City.