About Us

Roadmap to Resilience is a collaboration between Pandemic Parenting and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders, with special thanks to the Inter-Organizational Child Trauma Task Force.

 

Our Story

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread and recognition grew of the traumatic impact of racism on under-served and marginalized populations, we quickly realized that the stressors and traumas facing children and families all across the globe would not be short-term experiences. 

Dr. Julian Ford led the formation of a task force of child trauma experts, including Dr. Amanda Zelechoski, with backgrounds in clinical psychology, pediatrics, psychiatry, nursing, social work, child welfare, education, research, and law. Together they considered,

“How can we use our expertise to help children and families cope with the direct stress and trauma of the pandemic and the other traumas exacerbated by stay-at-home orders?”

After being a guest on The Pandemic Parenting Podcast with Dr. Zelechoski discussing Trauma-Informed Parenting, Dr. Ford suggested the task force take a similar approach. Create accessible, relevant, and timely digital content for behavioral health providers, social workers, teachers, parents, medical and nursing professionals, and all who care for kids that teaches and advocates for a trauma-informed approach to supporting children.

The task force members volunteered their time to be interviewed by Dr. Zelechoski and Dr. Ford resulting in 16 podcast episodes and dozens of short videos that walk listeners through what it means to provide trauma-informed support to children in their schools, homes, doctor’s offices, extracurriculars, communities, and beyond.

 
Dr. Julian Ford
 

Dr. Julian Ford

Roadmap to Resilience Host & Producer

Julian D. Ford, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. is a board-certified clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Law at the University of Connecticut where he directs two Treatment and Services Adaptation Centers in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network: the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice and the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders.

Dr. Ford is past President of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

He has published more than 250 articles and book chapters and is the author or editor of 10 books, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 2nd Edition; Treating Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach, 2nd Edition; Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Scientific Foundations and Therapeutic Models; and Crises in the Psychotherapy Session: Transforming Critical Moments into Turning Points.

Dr. Ford is the Principal Investigator for the national Developmental Trauma Disorder Field trial research study, and developed and has conducted randomized clinical trial and effectiveness studies with the Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET©) model for youths and adults with developmental trauma histories and complex PTSD.

Dr. Amanda Zelechoski
 
 

Dr. Amanda Zelechoski

Roadmap to Resilience Host & Producer

Dr. Amanda Zelechoski is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist and attorney, specializing in trauma. She is a Professor of Psychology and the Director of Clinical Training at Purdue University Northwest, where she conducts research on the impact of childhood trauma at the intersection of psychology, law, and public policy.

She is board certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, has worked clinically with adults, children, and families, and provides training and consultation to numerous mental health, legal, educational, and child welfare agencies.

Dr. Zelechoski is also co-founder of the nonprofit organization and digital resource hub, Pandemic Parenting, which has received numerous awards for its innovative knowledge dissemination efforts, including the APA Division 56 Award for Media Contributions to the Field of Trauma Psychology and the APA Division 37 Child and Family Citizen Psychologist Award.

 

Meet Our Guest Experts

 Additional Inter-Organizational Child Trauma Task Force Members

Laura Captari

Stacie Schrieffer LeBlanc, J.D., M.Ed.

Rachel Ann Wamser, Ph.D.

Stephen Zollman, J.D.

Our Team

Roadmap to Resilience is produced by Dr. Julian Ford, Dr. Amanda Zelechoski, Carmen Vincent, and Victoria Bruick, with strategic support from Jennifer Valentine and promotional support from the team at Pandemic Parenting and the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders.

Victoria Bruick
Producer

Carmen Vincent
Producer/Podcast Editor

Jennifer Valentine
Executive Director, Pandemic Parenting

With Support From:

Natasha Brower (logo and brand design)

Julia Clausen (copywriting and editing)

Lydia Liang (graphic design)

Paula Sillers (graphic design)

Thank You to Our Financial Sponsor

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s
National Child Traumatic Stress Network