October-Resilience Awareness MonthPROCIAMATION
WHEREAS, there is compelling scientific evidence of a correlation between negative
childhood experiences known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or "toxic stress", and
WHEREAS, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include such experiences as physical,
sexual, or verbal abuse, physical and emotional neglect, witnessing domestic violence, losing a
parent to separation or divorce or having a family member who is: experiencing mental health
issues, struggling with substance abuse, and/or incarcerated, and
WHEREAS, there is significant scientific evidence that sources of "toxic stress" may also
include poverty, experiences of homelessness, and historical, structural, or community
experiences of trauma such as racism, sexism, homophobia, slavery, colonization, community
violence, natura! disasters, and
WHEREAS, in Kitsap County 62% of residents report having experienced at least 1ACE,
and over 37% of residents report having 3 or more ACEs, and research indicates the more "toxic
stress" a person has experienced, the greater his/her risk of social, emotional, behavioral, and
physical health challenges, leading to school suspension, increased dropout rates, expulsion,
tardiness and absenteeism, bullying, unemployment, decreased functional work days,
homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence, chronic disease, and substance abuse, and
WHEREAS, ACEs are at the root of our most costly community issues, associated with
78% of lV drug use,69Yo of mental illness, 67% of suicide attempts,650/o of alcoholism, 62% of
domestic violence & homelessness,6L%o of adult incarceration, 54% of prescription drug abuse,
26% of cardiovascular disea se,24o/o of cancer, L7%o of asthma, and L1o/o of diabetes, and
WHEREAS, resiliency is the antidote and there is compelling scientific evidence that,
being able to rely on relationships to access resources and support in the moment of need, can
transform a potentially toxic experience into a tolerable one, and
WHEREAS, resiliency needs to be nurtured throughout the life-span and is built through
supportive relationships with caring adults and experiences that strengthen our core adaptive
skills, including regulating emotions, managing stress, planning, mental flexibility, decision
making, creating/sustaining relationsh ips, a nd
WHEREAS, Kitsap Strong has a vision of a community where each person flourishes and
all parents raise their children with consistency and nurturance to develop resilience, with the
goal to mobilize our community through dialogue and action to prevent ACEs in the next
generation through building individual and community resilience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE tT RESOTVED that l, Robert Putaansuu, Mayor of the City of Port
Orchard, do hereby proclaim October of 2OL9 to be the annual:
RESILIENCE AWARENESS MONTH
in the City of Port Orchard, and urge al! of our residents to become informed about
ACEs and their impact on development and long-term health outcomes, to integrate these
principles into our everyday work and practice, and to otherwise support the work of Kitsap
Strong as a community of hope and healing.
Signed the 30th day of September 2019
Robert Putaansuu, Mayor