Howling Husky Homestead

An Integrated Approach to Childhood Exposure to Violence and Implications for Early Brain Development

Dr. Chamberlain begins by making the connection between different forms of family violence and stressing the importance of seeing the big picture of family violence. Following a brief overview of neurobiology, she creates a developmental pathway to understanding the implications of trauma on early brain development. Dr. Chamberlain uses case scenarios to illustrate the physical, mental, cognitive, and behavioral health effects of childhood exposure to violence including the hidden epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder. Wrapping up on a proactive and positive note, she provides strategies for assessment, practical tips for working with children from violent households, and examples of how communities are working together towards an integrated approach to childhood exposure to violence.

A Critical Intersection: Adolescent Brain Development, Substance Abuse, and Exposure to Violence

The latest research on brain development indicates that an adolescent's brain is a work-in-progress that is more similar to the brain of a child than an adult. Dr. Chamberlain provides an overview of neurobiology to demonstrate how heightened plasticity of the adolescent brain leads to a growth spurt that provides another window of opportunity in brain development as well as increased vulnerability to toxic environments. Dr. Chamberlain describes areas of the brain that show the most profound changes during adolescence based on state-of-the-art neuroimaging studies and examines the implications of these changes on adolescents' thought processes, behaviors, and vulnerability to substance abuse and trauma. Dr. Chamberlain presents case scenarios and the latest research to illustrate the long-term physical and mental health effects associated with exposure to violence. Dr. Chamberlain closes with practical information on assessment techniques, intervention strategies, and community initiatives.

Addressing Lifetime Abuse: Pathways for Prevention

Efforts to reduce the impact of child abuse, childhood exposure to violence, and domestic violence have focused primarily on current or recent victimization. As we learn more about the long-term effects of lifetime exposure to violence, there are windows of opportunity for intervention and prevention over the lifespan. Dr. Chamberlain begins with a discussion of the similar patterns of health problems and risk behaviors associated with past abuse that are often not

recognized by service providers or survivors. Using practical examples ranging from integrated assessment for lifetime abuse to parenting classes on childhood exposure to violence and healthy relationships, Dr. Chamberlain uses a strengths-based approach to identify pathways for prevention that can improve the quality of life for survivors and interrupt the cycle of family violence.

Making the Connection: Domestic Violence and Public Health

This workshop provides an overview of the Public Health Toolkit and a PowerPoint curriculum developed by Dr. Chamberlain for the Family Violence Prevention Fund. The curriculum addresses eight different areas of public health practice (perinatal services, WIC/nutritional supplement programs, sexually transmitted infections, family planning, women's health, substance abuse and mental health, injury prevention, and child and adolescent health). Dr. Chamberlain uses segments from the toolkit that are relevant to the audience to discuss the epidemiology of domestic violence, implications for service delivery, policy recommendations, and promising practices. Participants learn how to use toolkit and the curriculum, which includes speaker notes. Handouts include an extensive bibliography on making the connection between domestic violence and public health.

Arctic Inspirations: Women Creating Economic Opportunities and Personal Success in Rural Communities

This presentation shares the inspirational stories of northern women who have created their own financial independence through self-employment.
Dr. Chamberlain interviewed women living in rural and remote communities in Alaska, northwestern Canada, and Siberia. Published with the support of a grant, this book has been placed in visitors' centers, women's resource centers, universities, schools, shelters, self-sufficiency programs, public libraries, and health clinics. It is being used by colleges, Girl Scout troops, Campfire Girls, and classrooms around the country. Dr. Chamberlain uses photographs and women's stories in their own words to illustrate common themes that emerged among these rural entrepreneurs. Northern women who start their own businesses are seeking a better quality of life, are following their passion to do what they love, and have greater expectations of what they can achieve by working for themselves. Many of these women are filling a niche in their communities, are doing business in an earth-friendly manner, and are giving others a helping hand to create their own opportunities. These stories of personal success and the innovative strategies that Dr. Chamberlain employed to put this book into the hands of girls and women living in rural communities provide an uplifting start or closing for conferences and can be tailored for student symposiums.

Lessons from the Trail on Leadership and Teamwork

A fall off a glacier led Linda Chamberlain to discover the world of dog mushing. Her first Alaska Husky, Tutka, became a gee-haw lead dog who helped Linda rehabilitate from a debilitating injury and find a new way to explore the wilderness. From wheel dog to lead dog, Linda shares her humorous and insightful stories of how each dog has taught her invaluable lessons about leadership, diversity, and what it means to be part of the team. In a participatory exercise using the gangline from her sled, Linda explains the importance of each position in the team. Using examples from her kennel and experiences on the trail, she describes how different leadership skills are required to handle changing trail conditions, the importance of mentoring, how aggression and fear can hurt the whole team, and other lessons about the importance of “heart” and never judging by appearances. Reinforcing back-to-basics values, Linda emphasizes the importance of good nutrition, consistent training, and positive attitude to the team’s success. This motivational presentation uses exercises and dialogue to involve the audience. Linda, a national Kellogg Leadership fellow, has lived an eclectic life full of challenges and little miracles. She inspires everyone to look at obstacles as brilliant opportunities to make a difference in this world.