Incorporation of Concepts
Course content is the driving force of the discussion. Integrates discussion, readings, and videos in a thoughtful reflection demonstrating higher-order thinking (e.g., application, analysis, evaluation) versus lower-order thinking (e.g., recall, defining, describing). Concepts are accurately defined and identified (i.e., bolded with a definition or description offered). It’s hard to imagine more concepts being integrated in a meaningful way–this does not mean a paper littered with terms but a meaningful exploration of several concepts in the activity provided for the RIP. At least 7 course concepts are artfully integrated. Paper advances thinking—not simply a regurgitation of the information, but demonstrates insight and reflection, connections among concepts and information.
Formatting
Paper is 3-4 pages and double-spaced. Appropriate referencing is used and a Reference page included.
Some of the sources you can use:
Video: 1_1_ Challenging Our Beliefs (29:33mins; BBL)
Reading: Perry & Szalavitz C. 6 (pp. 137-170) = 33 pages
Reading: van der Kolk C. 13 (pp. 205-231) = 26 pages
Reading: van der Kolk C. 14 (pp. 232-249) = 17 pages
Reading: van der Kolk C. 15 (pp. 250-264) = 14 pages
Video: 2_2_Living and Working with Traumatized Children (27:05mins; BBL)
Specific Instructions for RIP #3
1. Activity: This RIP is your opportunity to bring together all the knowledge that you’ve gained over the semester and advocate for change. You will write a persuasive letter to your Senator or Representative (to find yours, see:https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members) to educate her/him about toxic stress, trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and encourage her/him to support funding/policies to address the impact of these things on children, families, and our community.
a. Note: Ensure that this RIP takes basic letter form including addresses, salutations, and signatures (see:https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-address-a-letter- 2059705).
This “template” asks you to put your address—this is not necessary, I recommend that you place limited contact information (phone and email) in your “signature” line. At the top of the page is the Senator/Representative’s name and address, the date, and your salutation (e.g., “Dear … ”).
While I still want you to adhere to APA formatting, you do NOT need to double space your letter (but it’s fine if you do☺).
See the “Additional Information for RIP #3” below.
2. As a persuasive letter, your letter should follow this structure for content (for a brief overview on writing a persuasive letter see this brief YouTube video ):
Start with an introductory paragraph outlining what you’re going to address in your letter (this does not need a bolded section heading☺).
The Problem: You will assume that your Senator/Representative does not know much (if anything) about the things that you’ve learned this semester, so your task will be to provide some context for your “ask”. Provide some basic information about the impact of toxic stress, ACEs, and/or trauma.
My “Ask”: In this section, you want to identify something you’ve learned about in this Unit that counters the impact of toxic stress, ACEs, and/or trauma. This is your “ask”. As such, you might select specific interventions, treatments, or methods for working with children. You can be creative about this (e.g., thinking about ways that enhance relationships in a child/adolescent’s life) or you can focus on one of the specific interventions that has demonstrated efficacy in treating trauma, as outlined in Dr. van der Kolk’s book. You will identify the approach and will be very explicit about why it is important to use this type of technique/approach to address the negative outcomes that can occur because of trauma and/or ACE’s.
i. Examples of things you might suggest include (note: this is NOT an exclusive list):
CHLD 321 RIP Handbook (Hart) 16
Treatments/Therapies
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Sensorimotor Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Psychomotor Therapy
Interventions/Activities taking trauma into consideration:
Writing
Yoga
Acting groups
Music groups
Resources
Training for therapists in trauma-approaches
Ways to improve access to things individual’s need (e.g.,
therapists, medications to treat trauma)
Policy changes that enhance the ability of
parents/caregivers to parent/caregiver (e.g., Family Medical Leave after childbirth)
d. Rationale to Support My “Ask” Identify at least 3 reasons that support your opinion/point of view. Use science to support your task. Emotion is a powerful motivator, but Senators and Representatives will speak the language of science to support spending tax dollars for a program/intervention/resource. This is a perfect opportunity to include many course concepts—be sure that you do☺
i. Outline each reason in its own paragraph(s), using appropriate background information to support how this (intervention/approach) can address the problem you identified up front.
1. At least one of these reasons should provide information about ACE’s and trauma (i.e., how the intervention/approach is useful to work with individuals who have had these experiences).
ii. If you focus on one specific intervention (such as EMDR, which I’ve used in my example below), you might find yourself feeling limited in meeting the concept/source requirements. Don’t forget that in your “Problem” section you will also be bringing in concepts and sources. Additionally, don’t forget about the videos, which can be rich sources for this section (e.g., in my example below I ask for funding for training for Behavioral Health, I can use Dr. Perry’s discussion about the challenges our systems face in working with traumatized youth to support why this funding is needed).
Conclusion: Concluding paragraph briefly summarizing the problem and repeating your ask.
Finally, thank them for taking the time to consider your letter and highlight your contact information if they would like to discuss further. Provide your closing salutation (e.g., sincerely, thank you) and “sign” your letter (if you don’t have an
CHLD 321 RIP Handbook (Hart) 17
electronic signature, just leave space for one; this portion does not need a section heading).
Last Completed Projects
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