“Resilience” Free Showing Will Be Followed by Panel Discussion

“Resilience” 

Free Showing Will Be Followed by Panel Discussion

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will sponsor a showing of the film Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope later this month at Norman’s Sooner Theater. The event is slated for 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 30.

Joe Dorman, OICA’s chief executive officer, said the free screening will be followed by a panel discussion by experts in the field of Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs. Dorman noted that childhood trauma can be caused by a wide range of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); among those in which Oklahoma ranks among the worst states in the nation include:

• Incarceration of a parent.

• Death of a parent.

• Divorce of parents; and

• Various forms of child abuse and neglect .

“Sadly, Oklahoma leads the nation in childhood trauma,” Dorman said. “Resilience is about helping our children overcome the trauma they have endured and provides insight into how we can make Oklahoma a better and safer state for our children.”

Among the participants in the panel discussion following the showing are Anne Roberts, former executive director of OICA; the Honorable Laura Boyd, former Norman state representative and active child advocate; Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle; and, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman.

The event is free, but registration is requested. Those interested can go to OICA’s website at oica.org, find the link and register to attend the showing and panel discussion.

OICA is bringing Resilience to Norman through the cooperation of the Potts Family Foundation. Local co-sponsors of the showing include Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma and The Norman Transcript.

“OICA has participated at a number of these showings across the state,” Dorman said. “Those in attendance always come away with renewed hope about helping children overcome ACEs and reducing the occurrence of childhood trauma. Resilience is helping us create a better state for our children, and we are honored to help bring the documentary to Norman.”