ACEs VA summit features LaSalle Albany’s Wallace

In early August, Richmond, VA experienced an influx of knowledgeable practitioners, community organizers, and researchers to explore the meaning of Trauma Informed Care for individuals, caregivers, and professionals.

LaSalle Albany’s David Wallace, now the agency’s director of clinical services, joined panelists with diverse backgrounds and positions to discuss youth and family trauma and offer strategies for improving their lives at the RVA Adverse Childhood Experiences & Community Resilience Summit on August 3rd and 4th.

Wallace was one of several presenters, facilitators and panelists from across the country that offered their expertise in the two-day summit’s curriculum. He and other licensed clinicians as well as attorneys, program developers, private practitioners, and other educators who direct their passions toward helping to improve the lives of youth and families who have been through situations that have caused hurt and pain in their lives.

A registered, licensed clinical social worker, Wallace collaborates with a team of therapists and clinicians to plan and provide treatment for youth and families, and coordinate the youth’s care with educators and direct care staff at LaSalle.

In a welcome letter to summit attendees, Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones thanked participants saying that together, youth, parents, and professionals will learn about the impact of ACEs, and most importantly how we can collaborate in promoting health practices to help the residents of Richmond and the United States to achieve their full potential.

In a blog posted by Voices for Virginia’s Children lessons learned and common themes were outlined after the summit concluded. Including youth and families in the conversation, understanding the science of trauma and good communication were among those concepts attendees thought deserved more attention and study.

The RVA Adverse Childhood Experiences & Community Resilience Summit was the City of Richmond’s first such convening since joining the national ACEs and Resilience Movement.

LaSalle School is a leader in programs and services for youth and families in crisis offering a variety of programs designed to meet their needs including specialized residential placement, day service education, and alternative to detention services. The Counseling Center at LaSalle is an OMH and OASAS licensed outpatient behavioral health clinic located at LaSalle School, and currently implementing ACE treatment practices with youth and families. LaSalle is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), and affiliated with the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA), and the national Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. LaSalle is a member of The New York State Coalition of 853 Schools.