By Alice Forrester, CEO, President, Clifford Beers Community Health Partners, Connecticut
“We are stronger, gentler, more resilient, and more beautiful when we are together.”
— Audre Lorde
In recent years, many of us have felt the effects of isolation shaped by the pandemic, a screen-mediated world, political tension, rapid technological change, and even the isolating effects of long winters have led to the quiet erosion of connection. For those working in helping professions, this disconnection can feel especially heavy. We see the impact of these pressures on the families and children we serve as they deal with the impact of intergenerational trauma. We feel it ourselves, and it’s easy to become exhausted and at times, hopeless. Now, more than ever, we need a deep and intentional reminder that we are not meant to do this work alone. We know that healing happens in relationship. It is in community that resilience is built, ideas are sparked, and hope is renewed.
Healing the Generations:
In March 2026, Clifford Beers is organizing the Healing the Generations Conference in Mashantucket, Connecticut, to promote exactly this kind of renewal. We want to come back into connection with one another, with our shared purpose, and with the communities we serve. The conference will bring together professionals from therapeutic, education, and faith-based settings. The conference will be an opportunity to combine science-based and experiential learning, with a focus on improving care for families and communities. We want to share learning about innovative systems of care being developed across the nation. We also want to explore Indigenous and community-rooted practices that support healing spaces.
ACEs & Self-Healing Communities:
Perhaps no single idea has had as great an impact on children’s behavioral health in recent generations as the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These experiences of childhood dysfunction and abuse are key drivers of intergenerational trauma and poor behavioral health outcomes into adulthood. We’re excited to have Rob Anda and Laura Porter of ACE Interface discussing the concept of self-healing communities as a key pathway to repair, in one of our keynote addresses.
Building Community:
All our keynotes center on this theme of building community, sharing learnings from settings ranging from the corporate world to some of the most marginalized communities, Charles Vogl, has built his career making the case for community, as a standalone good, and as a means of addressing some of the most pressing social challenges we face, including health. Radha Agrawal of the People’s Institute has had a similar trajectory, building community to drive social purpose and combat loneliness and isolation. Iva Greywolf will share lessons on building community as a means of addressing behavioral health in Indigenous communities, and show what all therapeutic providers can learn from integrating community into the healing process.
Role of Community Health Workers:
The New England Children’s Behavioral Health Network (NECBHN) will host workshops at the conference under the theme, “Reimagining Family Support Through Community Health Workers.” These sessions will highlight the critical role community health workers play in supporting children and families with behavioral health needs. The workshops will showcase regional best practices, examine persistent systemic challenges, and explore policy strategies that can strengthen and sustain this workforce.
We really believe that authentic connection and meaningful relationships are the true “secret sauce” that drives lasting change and healing. Please join us.
