PACES Conference a Sold-Out Success

A group of people pose for a picture. They are holding children's books.

*Nikki Daniels is pictured with Misty Ross. Both presented at the conference.

Hosted by PACES Hillsborough and in its second year, the Spring 2024 Conference sold out with double the capacity of 2023!

This year’s conference theme was centered around using the science of positive childhood experiences to reduce the impacts of trauma and adversity. The program aimed to offer resources and insight into preventing adverse childhood experiences, healing trauma, and building resilience.

Nikki Daniels, Champions for Children Associate Director, and Greg VanPelt, Early Childhood Council, chaired the event. Daniels is also co-founder of PACES Hillsborough and co-facilitates the community with VanPelt.

Daniels expressed her gratitude for the event’s success. “We couldn’t be more pleased with this year’s event turnout. The overwhelming response is evidence of the needs our community providers are experiencing related to trauma and healing. We are grateful for the endless support our providers offer to bring resources, hope, and healing to some of our community’s most vulnerable members.”

Event partners included The Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County, Champions for Children, USF College of Public Health, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, and BAYS.

PACES Hillsborough is a community of providers focused on creating a trauma-informed community. The group uses the science related to the health impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in combination with the hope and resiliency that comes from research based on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs).

According to the PACES Hillsborough, “Communities can be places where traumatic experiences can occur, but they can also be a source of protection, health promotion, and support for families.”

To learn more about PACES Hillsborough, visit pacesconnection.org/g/hillsborough-fl.

Learn how Champions for Children is helping families create positive childhood experiences and strengthening families by visiting cfctb.org.