On May 6, 2020, Frontline PS&W director and licensed psychologist Christine Gerchow, facilitated a virtual training for the Coalition on Juvenile Justice (CJJ). The training was entitled, “Quarantined and Confined: Supporting Incarcerated Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Christine discussed practices youth and staff can apply in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and really, anytime. Her presentation drew…

The coronavirus pandemic has altered virtually every aspect of American life. To get through this unprecedented crisis, we look to our nation’s helpers. During this pandemic, first responders continue to provide life-saving support in emergencies. As always and perhaps now more than ever, these professionals are foundational to a functional society. Corrections professionals continue to provide safety and…

In fall 2019, Christine Gerchow, licensed psychologist and Frontline PS&W’s Director, completed Core Power Yoga’s 200-hour Teacher Training (TT) program. TT is a hands-on yoga immersion program that blends practice, lecture, group and self-study. A devotee of yoga, Christine signed up for TT to deepen her practice and accrue skills and qualifications necessary to teach yoga safely and…

In November 2019, Dr. Christine Gerchow facilitated a workshop at the Healing Justice: Ending Mass Incarceration conference at the Wright Institute (Berkeley, CA). Sponsored by Psychologists for Social Responsibility, the intention of the conference was to create a “space of learning, strengthen existing social connections and build a broader community toward social transformation around mass incarceration.” Dr. Gerchow facilitated…

Reflections on Dr. Gerchow’s Mindfulness, Mindlessness & Meditation group In 2019, Dr. Christine Gerchow facilitated a Mindfulness, Mindlessness & Meditation group for youth affected by trauma and in custody at Contra Costa County’s John A. Davis Juvenile Hall (San Francisco Bay Area). In June 2019, she delivered an address about the group at the Coalition for Juvenile Justice…

Christine Gerchow, Ph.D., delivers address at Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. In June 2019, Christine Gerchow, Ph.D., presented at the Annual Conference for the Coalition on Juvenile Justice (CJJ) in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gerchow presented about the psychophysiologic interventions she provided for youth incarcerated at John A. Davis Juvenile Hall (Contra Costa County). She organized…

In his book, “Failing Forward,” John Maxwell argues that successful people take a specific approach to failure. They tend to take responsibility, learn from mistakes, understand that failure is part of the learning process, and continue to take risks and persevere. Maxwell calls this approach “failing forward.” At ATDP, students who fail forward might return to take another writing class despite earning a “No Pass” in the previous summer’s writing class. These students may have reflected on the reasons for earning a “No Pass” and considered how the experience made them better writers.

For the past two weeks, we the seventh graders in Valley View Middle School’s communication class have been working on a public speaking and advocacy unit. We have learned about homelessness, harassment, drugs and alcohol and about the effects of budget cuts and the loss of after-school programming.

I salute members of Contra Costa County’s Probation Department, particularly those serving as juvenile institutional officers (JIOs) at John A. Davis Juvenile Hall. Every day and every night, JIOs counsel, mentor and hold space for youth. The work is difficult. Indeed, JIOs serve on the frontlines of the battle against poverty, oppression, community violence, the proverbial school-to-prison pipeline and traumatic stress.

“Boom, boom, boom,” Elana Bolds called out.

The bangs froze the small group of children playing on the new jungle gym on this sunny northern California afternoon last week. The kids stopped swinging and playing tag and ran full speed to hide behind buildings and the garbage cans. They sat silent for a few moments before Bolds called them out of their hiding places.

Sense to Soothe (aromatherapy) This is the second article in our blog series, Sense to Soothe. As we shared,  the Sense to Soothe blog series is aimed at helping you identify your sensory preferences and create a corresponding sensory kit. For this article, we are pleased to introduce aromatherapy.  “Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across…

This is the first post in our blog series, Sense to Soothe. As we shared,  the Sense to Soothe blog series is aimed at helping you identify your sensory preferences and create a corresponding sensory kit.

The essence of being human is embedded in the sensory events

Welcome to our website and inaugural blog post! Even more, welcome to the journey through nurturing and empowering the people who build, protect, educate, heal, and defend our nation.