Vancouver, WA ‒ The local premiere of Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope will be 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Firm Foundations School, 1919 S.W. 25th Ave., Battle Ground. The screening is free and open to the community.

The newly released film chroni­cles research that links adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect and family dysfunction, with cycles of violence, addiction and disease. The film shows how healthy relationships with caring adults can disrupt this link and help individuals build personal resilience. Following the screening, a panel of local leaders will discuss how to use information about adverse childhood experiences to develop strategies to reduce and mitigate them.

The screening is part of an effort across Clark County to raise awareness of childhood trauma and encourage schools, faith communities, law enforcement, health care providers and others to develop strategies that promote personal and community resilience. The event builds on a four-week series of sermons at Battle Ground churches entitled “Hope is Greater than Adversity.”

“It takes everyone working together to weave the web of support we desperately need for our children and families,” said Curtis Miller, executive director of Connect Battle Ground, a grass roots coalition aimed at increasing community resilience. “To do this, Connect Battle Ground links caring adults with opportunities to support and mentor children and youth.”

The event is hosted by Connect Battle Ground and paid for by a grant to Public Health from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. 

“As the experts and practitioners profiled in Resilience are proving, what’s predictable is preventable,” said Alan Melnick, director and health officer for Clark County Public Health. “Physi­cians, educators, social workers and communities are talking about the effects of abuse and neglect and using cutting edge science to help the next generation break the cycles of adversity and disease.”

CONTACT
Cyndie Meyer
Public Health
(360) 397-8000, ext. 7305
cyndie.meyer@clark.wa.gov