Resources
The following resources inform the clinical thinking behind our work; curated readings, talks, and tools we return to often and share with the agencies, providers, and caregivers we partner with.
Organized by topic for easier reference, this library reflects the frameworks that shape how we approach high-acuity youth, trauma-informed systems, and placement stability. It is not exhaustive, and we add to it as the field evolves.
Trauma & the Nervous System
The foundational clinical territory. How trauma lives in the body and shapes regulation, attachment, and behavior.
Books
Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.
Perry, B.D. & Szalavitz, M. (rev. 2017). The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog.
Perry, B.D. & Winfrey, O. (2021). What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing.
Nakazawa, D.J. (2015). Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology and How You Can Heal.
Video
Nakazawa, D.J. (2019). Childhood Disrupted and How We Can Heal Communities, Families, and Ourselves.
Schwentek, M. (2017). Polyvagal Theory Explained: Somatic Consent Engagement System and Social Engagement System.
Articles
Porges, S. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: New Insights into Adaptive Reactions of the Autonomic Nervous System. NCBI.
Trauma Types. National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE). The Trauma Prevention Network.
Reeves, J. What Is Yoga Nidra? Ekhart Yoga.
Brain Development & Neuroscience
How developing brains work, and why that matters for placement, intervention, and outcomes.
Video
Your Mind Is Like a Garden (2014).
Articles
Eight Things to Remember About Child Development. Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University.
Marks, J. (2021). Medical Definition of Neuroplasticity. MedicineNet.
Epperson, J.J. (2021). Brain Intervals: Calming Our Amygdalas and Creating a Safety Zone.
Behavior, Discipline & Regulation
Reframing behavior as nervous system response — and what that means for how adults respond.
Books
DeSautels, L. (2020). Connections Over Compliance: Rewiring Our Perceptions of Discipline.
Video
Maté, G. (2019). What Kids Need Most.
Maté, G. (2019). Authenticity vs. Attachment.
Articles
DeSautels, L. (2021). Bad Behavior or Nervous System Response? Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint.
DeSautels, L. (2021). The Conflict Cycle for Educators: Moving from Nervous System States of Protection to States of Growth. Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint.
DeSautels, L. (2017). Addressing Adversity Through Sensations, Emotions, Art, Movement, and Breath. Revelations in Education.
Delahooke, M. (2018). What to Know Before We Teach Children Self-Regulation Skills.
Enright, J. (2021). "Punishment" Does Not Work. Medium.
Enright, J. (2021). Punishing Unwanted Behavior Just Makes It Worse. Medium.
Long, N. (1995). Why Adults Strike Back: Learned Behavior or Genetic Code? Reclaiming Children and Youth, 4(1), 11–15.
The Behavioral Model. Lumen Learning, Module 3: Etiology and Treatment of Mental Disorders.
Caregiver & Staff Wellbeing
The internal regulation of the adults in the room — and why it determines outcomes for the youth in their care.
Video
Van Edwards, V. (2017). You Are Contagious. TED Talk.
When Emotions Are Contagious (2019). Invisibilia, NPR.
Articles
Gaines, J. (2021). Emotional Contagion: The Social Power of Emotions Explained. Positive Psychology.
Herrando, C. & Constantinides, E. (2021). Emotional Contagion: A Brief Overview and Future Directions. Frontiers in Psychology.
Karthik, K. (2021). How to Calm Anxiety: 7 Simple Tips to Stop Feeling Anxious. The Motivation Hub.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT / Tapping). Good Therapy.
Trauma-Informed Systems & Care
How systems — not just individuals — practice trauma-informed care.
Video
Articles
Fritz, T. (2018). Trauma-Informed Care Is Not a Program for Your Clients. PACE Connection.
Heath, S. (2021). Understanding Trauma-Informed Care, Communication. Patient Engagement HIT.
Trauma-Informed Care. Missouri's Early Care and Education Connections.
Equity & Implicit Bias
The structural lens — how disparities, bias, and access shape outcomes for the youth we serve.
Articles
Heath, S. (2021). What Is Implicit Bias, How Does It Affect Healthcare? Patient Engagement HIT.
Heath, S. (2021). What Is the Difference Between Health Disparities, Equity? Patient Engagement HIT.
Onyemelukwe, C. (2016). Implicit Bias.
Equity vs. Equality: What's the Difference? (2020). Milken Institute School of Public Health, GWU.
Gutoskey, E. (2020). What's the Difference Between Equity and Equality? Mental Floss.
Racial Equality or Racial Equity? The Difference It Makes. Race Matters Institute.
Additional Tools
Documents to download
Why Staff Become Counter Aggressive – Supplement to:
Long, Nicholas (1995, Spring). Why Adults Strike Back: Learned Behavior or Genetic Code. Reclaiming Children and Youth 4 (1), pp 11-15. Found here
Personal Plan For Button Pushing – (to be used with Why Staff Become Counter Aggressive) Supplement to:
Long, Nicholas (1995, Spring). Why Adults Strike Back: Learned Behavior or Genetic Code. Reclaiming Children and Youth 4 (1), pp 11-15. Found here
100 Focused Attention Practices for the New Year! Also at
We support
Handy Innovative Solutions is a proud supporter of the MayFly Project
The Mayfly Project is a 501(c)(3) on a mission to support youth in foster care through fly fishing, helping them build confidence, find healing, and connect to their local waters. Our local Mayfly Project Roanoke chapter has mentored 23 youth between the ages of 8-18 in the radius around Bent Mountain. We sponsor a 5 session program each spring , with registration beginning at the first of every year. Our program spans for March through the end of May to take advantage of the best water conditions for catching fish.
