Laura van Dernoot Lipsky has worked with groups as diverse as zookeepers and reconstruction workers in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, community organizers and health care providers in Japan, U.S. Air Force pilots, Canadian firefighters, public school teachers, private practice doctors, tiny non-profits, massive state agencies, libraries, the Pentagon, alternative colleges, and Ivy League universities. Much of her work is being invited to assist in the aftermath of community catastrophes–whether they are fatal storms or mass shootings. She has worked locally, nationally, and internationally. Laura is known as a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure.

Laura is on the advisory board of ZGiRLS, an organization that supports young girls in sports. She is a founding member of the International Transformational Resilience Network, which supports the development of capacity to address climate change. Laura also served as an associate producer of the award-winning film A Lot Like You, and was given a Yo! Mama award in recognition of her work as a community-activist mother.

She is recognized as a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure, having worked locally, nationally, and internationally for more than three decades. She works directly with trauma survivors and those who work in the service of others, helping professionals and volunteers cultivate the deep self-knowledge and practical insights that sustain them in their helping roles in the face of the tremendous needs and tragedies they witness. Laura's concept of stewardship is based on the idea that a deeper understanding of trauma exposure and the tools for navigating systems will enable people to do their work better.

Laura draws from experience, research and personal observations to help people recognize, navigate and ease the burden of overwhelm in daily life. Her clients are as diverse as zookeepers, reconstruction workers, community organizers, film and television companies, health-care providers, military pilots, social workers, international firefighters, public school teachers, private practice physicians and hospital systems, tiny non-profits and massive state agencies, libraries, the Pentagon, therapists, alternative colleges and Ivy League universities.

Tracey Lyall has been the executive director of Domestic Violence Intervention Services in Tulsa since May 2007. Lyall holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tulsa in psychology, as well as a Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma and is a licensed social worker. Lyall has over 20 years supervision and management experience. Tracey will present a case study of how DVIS is using the principles of Trauma Stewardship in their organization.

Purpose:
The Povl Toussieng Memorial Leadership in Infant Mental Health Award was established in 1999 to honor the memory of Povl Winning Toussieng, M.D. (1918-97), Professor Emeritus, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and retired Training Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry program. This award recognizes individuals who, through their work with infants, toddlers and families, have demonstrated outstanding leadership in service delivery, advocacy, administration, and/or program and policy development in the field of infant mental health in Oklahoma. The award is presented in conjunction with OK-AIMH's annual conference.

Many are doing so much on behalf of Oklahoma infants, toddlers, their families and caregivers. Please identify an outstanding leader in your community by submitting a nomination for this award. Click here to see a list of past recipients.

Eligibility:
Consideration will be given to nominees who demonstrate the following:

• Has been actively involved in the infant/early childhood mental health field for a minimum of 10 years, specifically addressing issues on behalf of Oklahoma's infants and toddlers, their families and caregivers,
• Has enhanced services, policies and procedures to improve quality of life in supporting the mental health needs of infants and toddlers, their families and caregivers,
• Has demonstrated innovative and creative methods of promoting the mental health needs of infants and toddlers,
• Has engaged the community in efforts to create awareness about the unique needs of infants and toddlers in supporting early relational health and promoting nurturing relationships.

Instructions:

• Nominations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2020.
• The nomination form must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete forms will not be considered.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae and 2 letters of reference, by those who know the nominee's work well (i.e. current or former supervisor, colleague, collaborative community partner), must be included with the application. The total page limit for all attachments should not exceed 6 pages.
• The Toussieng nomination committee may also request additional information from nonimators, nominees or agencies as needed.
• The Toussieng nomination committee reviews nominations, presents findings and a selection is made by a final vote of the OK-AIMH Board of Directors.
• Nomination form, references and attachments become the property of OK-AIMH.

Helpful Tips:

Be as specific and concise as possible and provide examples.

• Include anecdotes, personal stories, etc. that exemplify the impact and demonstrate the spirit of the effort.
• Assume the nomination committee members know nothing about the nominee.
• Well-written nominations are helpful.

All candidates will be notified of their nominations and will be invited to attend the OK-AIMH Annual conference, to be held virtually this year on October 21, 2020.

Email all nominations to okaimh@gmail.com, Subject: Povl Toussieng Award

Click here for the Povl Toussieng Award Nomination Form

Click here for the Povl Toussieng Award Reference Form

Click here for the OK-AIMH Photo Release Form