COMMUNITY
A community is made up of families. A strong, healthy Community builds a network that is the safety net that support families, in both good and bad times. Healthy communities understand how to relate to each other. Strong communities are educated to identify people in crisis from adverse experiences & trauma. They gain tools to be supportive, understanding and provide resources for the family’s crisis.
Community collaborative provides resources for prevention and early intervention. The education teaches people to identify the Red Flags of traumatic crisis and how to find professionals that can provide supportive services. This is the intervention that breaks the cycle of lifelong concerns, ongoing struggle and reoccuring crisis that is destructive and damaging.
A strong, healthy community has resources to help families experiencing a crisis to move through the temporary transitional phase of a traumatic event, and then, be restored as a productive part of the community.
TRAUMA INFORMED
The TRAUMA INFORMED options are research-based interventions for children and/or adults that are identified with injury by a traumatic event, an adverse experience or some form of violent abuse. They need intervention to be okay. Left untreated mental health concerns can develop possibly with somatic symptoms and ultimately decreased cognitive functioning with other physical and mental disorders.
There are specific Red Flags that cannot be identified without Trauma Informed training. Without training people cannot see these signs or understand the situation. They cannot see the pain, injury and suffering. They can not understand the root causation. The situation will continue to escalate without intervention, and there are no options for recovery.
The raw pain from the trauma injury develops into a wound, such as the inability to cope, hyper vigilance, avoidance, anxiety, OCD, relationship issues and/or decreased functioning in specific areas unique to the individual. Thus, the situation has no choice, but to escalate until the help is identified and given.
NETWORK
Each part of the community has a role that gives and takes within that community. Networks, collaborations and education are used to connect people with the appropriate highly specialized professionals and their services for all the different interventions needed to move through the traumatic crisis to recover.
A team of Trauma-Informed professionals, agencies, organizations and other services uniquely combined and working in collaboration with first responders and survivor advocates ensure the trauma survivor find all services. The collaboration will identify missing needs of the community. Working together forms that community safety net set up and working to help the trauma survivor safely transition to a healthy life.
The network is to ensure a SAFE transition to an empowered transformation beyond the traumatic victimized state. This breaks the cycle.
Each trauma and individual are different; therefore, the recovery is different. Thus, the focus is on finding the right resources and is patientcentric.
Recovering & Empowering the Future of Family
All families & communities Face Crisis,and the GOAL is to navigate through the crisis.
American Family Alliance works with communities to set up Family Alliance Networks (FANs). They build bridges between families in crisis and the resources within communities. The goal is a network collaboration to strengthen the effectiveness of the community. Without education, tools and support, a crisis can destroy a family. With the crisis level of addictions, trafficking, suicides, gang/mass shootings and violent abuses facing families, a strong collaborative effort in a community is required to solve these serious concerns.
FAN assists by educating early identification, intervention, and prevention. When a community understands the damage done by trauma, the stigma associated decreases. Education and training raises awareness about trauma bonding, moral injury, coercive control abuses and trauma informed interventions. Most importantly, FAN facilitates a grass roots effort to stop and prevent further damage to our families, and works to find answers and build stronger communities through collaboration and networking.
A person who has successfully survived crisis and trauma has a unique understanding of the experience. They can become a guide that builds a bridge between families facing trauma and the resources available to that trauma. This is a Family Survivor Advocate (Peer to Peer coach). A strong community is capable of helping families during crisis. A good government provides the tools to network the resources as a safety net to ensure the recovery and empowerment of the person, the family and the community.
A community that is divided, hates and operates with tactics of gaslighting, coercive control and bullying is not healthy, and can not help families in trouble. The community turns their back and turns a blind eye to families in crisis. They are not capable of providing the needed support to transition to recovery. They project hate and avoidance. The family isolates and has to escalate in order to receive help. Typically, the determined intervention is only for the symptom, the outward escalation, not the core causation, trauma. Thus, the “solution” is not a welcome. The intervention is not personally connected nor related to the family. As an outsider, the government, a hospital or a courtroom solutions are forced, standardized “one size fits all” options. These approaches lack “buy in” and less effective.
The community, network collaboration approach allows for the family to recover back to healthy, empowered living. The traumatic cycle is broken. The reactive symptoms of defense are no longer needed for survival. Communities provide real help to stop the pain. Families return to be actively involved once again.
A few things that are now at crisis levels
“It appears that a majority of women [and men] who seek outside assistance because of partner abuse are victims of coercive control, a pattern of subjugation that has more in common with hostage-taking than the conventional picture of domestic violence.” Evan Stark
MISSION: AMERICAN FAMILY ALLIANCE and its FAMILY ALLIANCE
NETWORKS are dedicated to promoting early detection and intervention for current
rising cultural concerns, preventing family crisis that cause at-risk youth,
and developing strong, empowered families within the community through
advocacy, education, research and service.
ADDICTION & CO-DEPENDENCY
“Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence.” (psychiatry.org)
“The traditional definition of codependency has focused on control, nurturing, and maintenance of relationships with individuals who are chemically dependent, or engaging in undesirable behaviors, such as narcissism.” (psychologytoday.com)
“The havoc active addiction creates in families and relationships stresses everyone in these “systems”—parents, children, siblings, spouses, partners, close friends, etc. Active addiction destabilizes the home environment, disrupts family life and muddling relationships, and often compromises finances, as well as mental, emotional, and physical health. Without assistance and unless family members and significant others learn and practice how to do things differently, these effects can be chronic and long-term.” (psychologytoday.com)
“The current study confirms previous findings of a strong relationship between adverse childhood experience and subsequent substance use and poor mental health outcomes, particularly PTSD.” (ncbinlmhih.gov)
BULLYING & COERCIVE ABUSE
“Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Bullying can take the form of physical contact, words or more subtle actions. The bullied individual typically has trouble defending him or herself and does nothing to “cause” the bullying.” (apa.org)
“Psychological abuse includes other verbal threats, intimidation, isolation, victim blaming, humiliation, control of daily activities and money, stalking (repeated unwanted contacts), and manipulation of children in order to demean or instill fear in an adult partner.” Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Second Edition), 2015
Coercive control is about power and control. It is a pattern of behaviour, a course of conduct, which occurs over time. It is strategic and aimed at creating co-dependency and utter domination. It can include isolation, exploitation, intimidation and/or threats or actual physical harm. The behaviour is insidious and undermines the victim’s sense of self. It is a form of hostage taking – an insidious ‘drip, drip, drip’. It can also include pseudo-caring behaviour and oftentimes the perpetrators are charming. They may charm their way into the victim’s life and once controlled, upend them.” (laurarichards.co.uk)
TRAFFICKING & CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
“Some of our most vulnerable children also face the threat of being victimized by commercial sexual exploitation. Runaways, throwaways, sexual assault victims, and neglected children can be recruited into a violent life of forced prostitution.” (Deputy Attorney General James Cole speaks at the National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation in San Jose, California, May 17, 2011)
“Often in domestic sex trafficking situations, pimps will make the child victim feel dependent on prostitution for life necessities and survival. For example, a pimp will lure a child with food, clothes, attention, friendship, love, and a seemingly safe place to stay. After cultivating a relationship with a child and engendering a false sense of trust, the pimp will begin engaging the child in prostitution. It is also common for pimps to isolate victims by moving them far away from friends and family, altering their physical appearances, or continuously moving victims to new locations. In many cases, victims become so hardened by the environment in which they must learn to survive that they are incapable of leaving the situation on their own.” (justice.gov)
VIOLENCE & SUICIDE
“ED [emergency department] visit volume for attempted suicide and self-inflicted injury has increased over the past two decades in all major demographic groups. Awareness of these longitudinal trends may assist efforts to increase research on suicide prevention. In addition, this information may be used to inform current suicide and self-injury related ED interventions and treatment programs.”
(sciencedirect.org)
“After declining for nearly two decades, the suicide rate among Americans ages 10 to 24 jumped 56 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And for the first time the gender gap in suicide has narrowed: Though the numbers of suicides are greater in males, the rates of suicide for female youths increased by 12.7 percent each year, compared with 7.1 percent for male youths. At the same time, the rate of teen depression shot up 63 percent, an alarming but not surprising trend given the link between suicide and depression: In 2017, 13 percent of teens reported at least one episode of depression in the past year, compared with 8 percent of teens in 2007, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” (ny times 2020)
BEST SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & PRACTICES
The Secret of Success
Success comes from a grass root movement that focuses on healthy families. Diligent research on a particular issue is good, but it holds no value until its practice shows positive results in peoples situation. Bridging the gap from research to inplementation is accomplished when the people see the interventions as supportive and beneficial to their lives. Failure comes from forced protocols that do not address the underlying concerns. Therefore, identifying the right research protocols to implement is the best solution. The GOAL is healthy families make up strong, healthy communities.
– Promotes self-directed learning as value
– Promotes the concept of using best practices
– Establishes a library of electronic best practices
– Inplements tele-appointments & coaching
– Overcomes the gaps between research & practice
– Family-driven, individualized interventions for personal good
– Encourages self awareness and new family dynamics
– All community learners become teachers
– Supportive first responder and collaborative teams
ACE STUDY
Adverse Child Experience Study results showing life time of damaging effects.
More Info Ace StudyTRAUMA INFORMED
Identification and intervention for traumatic injury for recovery and successful living.
More Info Trauma InformedMALIGNANT PATHOLOGY
Damaging toxic relationships where the person becomes trapped and held hostage in harmful dynamics.
More Info Malignant PersonalitiesEMPOWERMENT
The ability of self awareness and determination through the strength of character to face life successfully.
More Info EmpowermentSURVIVOR ADVOCATE ADDED-VALUE
The Secret of Success
Success from a grass roots movement. Survivor Advocates guide families through the hardships that are facing. Trauma is an injury that some people cannot just get over. Some relationships are so toxic and malignant its impossible to away, without help. Adverse experiences can alter the way your see and act in life. After being trapped in the pain and suffering, those that have not been through it can not understand the actions of these individuals. Survivor Advocates understand what they are going through. Each situation is different, but the struggle is the same and the damage done. Trained first responders learn to identify families struggling in these complex situations, they secure resources for these escalating dangerous relationships. Survivor Advocates help guide all involved through the process in a supportive role. The best interventions take a survivor from victim to empowered living within a community.
FAMILIES
Families learn the healthy relationship dynamics and feels safe with supportive resourcres to help them through crisis, back to empowered living.
Role of FamilyCOMMUNITIES
Communities trained to identify Red Flags are a resource for early intervention & recovery where families remain part of the community.
Role of CommunityGOVERNMENT
Government does not infringe on the individual freedoms of Americans in strong, healthy communities. They enforce laws and provide services.
Role of GovernmentPROFESSIONALS
Licensed Professionals trained in Attachment, Personality Disorders, Family Systems and Complex Trauma identify & set treatment protocols.
Role of ProfessionalsPortfolio
People within a community working together to make a difference changes the world! Alone we struggle in silence. The problem is the disconnection found today in endless divisions. The separateness when facing crisis is part of the problem. Government intervention that deals with surface issues fails families. Professionals focused on behavioral protocols do not solved many complex family dynamics. Criminals will never obey laws, take responsibility or face the truth. Simple lie wins over the complex truth in many cases.
Trained professionals educating the community and providing services
together make the difference that changes the world!
People working together as a community, using the support of the government and community networks can and will turn these complex family crises around. This is the future for our country, our communities and our families. Strong, healthy communities being involved, together, make the difference in these children’s lives and saves families around the world.
Survivor Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what the survivors say:
American Family Alliance is one of the only organizations I’ve come across to truly focus on prevention, which I too believe is the key to stopping trafficking before it begins.
I’d love to talk with you more about your vision and how you’re integrating into local communities to make prevention efforts a reality.
Thanks again Debbie. I’m excited to learn more about the great work you are doing and look forward to talking with you!
Survivor
Trafficking
I just want you [DEBBIE] to know how grateful I am reading YOUR POSTS especially on issues about abuse and mental health.
I am a School Counselor and an advocate on violence against women and children.
Thank you so much for your very informative, substantive and educational posts. Keep posting!
Advocate
Violent Abuse
We both appreciate, have read and printed out all the info you sent. Right now, we have CPS, APS, 3 physicians and 2 therapists actively involved and communicating with each other, but you know how that goes.
We are frequently overwhelmed, and currently feels like we are working FOR all of them, like herding cats.
Debbie, your input and the resources you shared are valuable, make no mistake, and I can forsee calling on you in the future.
Survivor
Alienated Family
JOIN US! Be part of the solution.
Our Team & Community Networks
Our American Board of Directors is working with our International Advisory Board, Local Advisory Board and Executive Directors. Together, we are developing community Family Alliance Neworks for viable, solution-focused, unique-to-the-community protocols that can be implemented in any locality.
For more info about American Family Alliance, click on the picture.
American Family Alliance
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAURINE KELLY,
Psychologist, PhD, CGP, FIPA
Director of Mental Health
DEBBIE MCCABE
Director of Medical Practice
LEEANN CONNER
Director of Technology, Media & Social Issues
LEAH ROBERTS
Director of Environmental, Global & General Health Research
DEBBIE CLOUD
Chairman of the Board
Director of Family Advocacy (Limited Voting)
*Annual Meeting
2nd Week in September
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
CHRIS & DEBBIE CLOUD
Directors of Family Advocacy
*Annual Meeting
September
Family Alliance Network
VIRGINIA BOARD
DEBBIE CLOUD
Chairman of the Board
Director of Family Advocacy
KIMBERLY LOWE
Director of Legislative Education
TBA
Director of Judicial Review
TBA
Director of Family Services
*Monthly Meeting
Last Saturday
FAMILY ADVOCATES
JHONABELLE BINA BIADO
Family Advocate, Philippines
WENDY ANN GREENE
Family Advocate, US
LAURA ABBOTT
Family Advocate, US
Latest News
We continue to push forward for Trauma Informed awareness and better options for families facing crisis. When we understand the damage done by adverse experiences, such as trauma, bullying, coercieve control and psychological abuse, we will get ahead of the many social crises families are facing in today’s world. Parents and local communities working with school boards & admin, board of supervisors, mental health organizatiosn, professionals, researchers & legislature have to ALL BE PART OF THE SOLUTION collaborating for strong communities with empowered individuals within families.
THE GOAL is a community Family Alliance Network to support the individual needs of a family going into crisis as a temporary “safety net” and a transitional step to secure a family. A strong, healthy community can identify the Red Flag concerns of the famly and refer them to the trained community coalition for early intervention and prevention. This educated community reduces long-term concerns for children, families and government.
How We Got Here – Now What?
Families all over this world, at their basic core, want the same things in life. They want to live a free life, enjoy their family and community, and have a[…]
Read moreContact us
We are building networks. This collaboration is to strengthen families around the world. When you start something, you begin where you are, one step at a time. We are looking for families in communities that are interested in 1. finding solutions today’s family concerns, 2. provide education for the complex issues, 3. coaching to learn new skills and 4. ultimately, network with collaborative resources for recovery and empowerment. THE GOAL is a dynamic network that can meet the individual needs and designed by the people in the community. Please reach out if you want to be part of this grass roots movement of families to help families working to develop strong communities.
Thank you for your interest and support.