Partnership Connections

Join us as we chat with Dr. Kalina Brabeck, professor and co-chair of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Rhode Island College and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Clinical Program Manager, and Adjunct Professor at RIC, Elise Jarvis. Throughout the episode, we explore how trauma impacts children and adults, highlighting key differences in development, behavior, and mental health outcomes. You will hear expert break downs of evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment approaches, including therapies like TF-CBT, prolonged exposure, and cognitive processing therapy. The episode also emphasizes resilience, cultural considerations, and practical guidance for supporting trauma survivors across diverse settings

In this episode of Partnership Connections, art therapist Emily Natale of Create Art & Wellness explores how art therapy supports children, teens, and adults—especially those impacted by trauma—by offering a safe, creative path to self-understanding and healing. Emily busts common myths about art therapy, explains what sessions really look like, and shares powerful stories of how creative expression can foster belonging, resilience, and emotional regulation for both children and adults.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Jessica Pryce, Research Faculty member at Florida State University College of Social Work, a former Child Protective Services investigator in Florida, and author of Broken: Transforming Child Protective Services—Notes of a Former Caseworker. Throughout the conversation, we cover her experiences of challenges in child protective services—including worker burnout, power imbalances, racial disparities, and the gap between training and real‑world practice. Through personal stories, research insights, and reflections from her book, she highlights the need for more humane, collaborative, and data‑informed approaches to supporting both families and frontline workers. The conversation also explores evolving case practice in Rhode Island and emphasizes the importance of self‑care, distributive leadership, and elevating the voices of parents with lived and living experience.

Join us as we chat with Dr. Kristin Scaplen and Dr. Victoria Heimer-McGinn as they help us explore how chronic stress affects the brain. They focus on key regions like the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, and what that means for child welfare professionals working in high‑pressure environments. They also break down the science behind stress, memory, addiction, and neuroplasticity in accessible terms while offering practical, evidence‑based strategies for building resilience and supporting well-being. The conversation also highlights community neuroscience outreach efforts aimed at increasing public understanding of brain health. Check out Brainwaves RI!

Join us as we chat with Dr. Kristen Slack, Senior Scientist at Research Triangle Institute and a leading expert on poverty and child welfare; to explore the complex relationship between socioeconomic factors and child maltreatment. We discuss how economic hardship influences family involvement with child welfare systems, the role of safety nets, and what can be done to better support families before crises occur.

In this episode of the Partnership Connections Podcast, hosts Stan Brajer and Holly Pacheco explore the concept of ambiguous loss with guest Kate Tetuan Parent, Associate Director at Boston Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnership Program. Together, they discuss the two types of ambiguous loss, its impact on youth and families, and practical strategies for supporting those navigating grief and uncertainty. The conversation emphasizes honesty, storytelling, and building resilience in the face of complex, ongoing loss.

Join us as we sit down with Melissa Aguiar-Rivard, Chief of Strategic Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), to unpack the agency’s five-year strategic plan. Melissa shares insights from DCYF's Listening & Learning Tour, revealing how staff, families, partners, and youth shaped the plan’s core pillars: Prevention, Accountability, Collaboration, and Engagement (PACE). Here is the Stategic Plan in its entirety!

Join us as we chat with Desiree Soto, Program Director for Rhode Island Lottery's Problem Gambling Services Program. We explore intersections between gambling disorder and child welfare, from defining gambling addiction to discussing its neurological and emotional impacts. Learn about some of the latest trends in online betting, the role of mental health, and how child welfare professionals can better screen for and address gambling-related challenges.

We welcome back Jennifer Gaviria, RIC SSW Adjunct Faculty, School Social Worker and Co-Founder of the Latino Mental Health Network to discuss the importance of integrating one's cultural identity into the workplace. Listen as we explore how cultural values influence professional behavior, the challenges of navigating workplace norms, and the impact of imposter syndrome—especially for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. The conversation offers insights for supervisors and organizations on fostering welcoming environments in child welfare and beyond.

Yoga Nidra/Yogic Sleep. Yoga Nidra is a guided relaxation practice that has been shown to help promote restful sleep. You can use this audio recording at bedtime to support falling asleep, or during the day to experience a sense of restoration and deep relaxation. If you choose to use it mid-day, I recommend setting a timer or alarm, just in case you drift off to sleep. Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery!

The following is a meditation provided by Dr. Mimi Mumm, Professor at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. Dr. Mumm is also a certified Yoga Instructor. She has been gracious enough to record several sessions, so stay tuned for more! Please practice this meditation in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! Description: Grounding Meditation/5-4-3-2-1. (5 minutes). This is a mindfulness exercise that helps bring your attention to the present moment, especially when feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. It uses your five senses to gently ground you.

Join us as we speak with Tricia Driscoll and Stephanie Manzi. Tricia is the Executive Director of the Center for Mediation and Collaboration of Rhode Island and Stephanie is a professor of criminal justice at Roger Williams University teaching courses in policing and criminology. They provide insight into generational diversity impacting the workforce and how to better understand these differences for better relationships, communication, and an overall work environment, with a particular focus on the child welfare workforce and environment.

Join us as we speak with Jennifer Gaviria, Adjunct Faculty at Rhode Island College and School Social Worker in the Woonsocket Public School District. She is also the co-founder of the Latino Mental Health Network of Rhode Island. Listeners will learn about current research and culturally responsive practices to effectively support Latinx children and families impacted by trauma. From recognizing cultural nuances to implementing trauma-informed approaches tailored to the Latinx context, participants will emerge with a deeper understanding of how to navigate and address trauma within this community.