Improving the life course of foster and adopted children who have
experienced complex developmental trauma
Many people look at the Stable Moments model and think it must be the amazingly therapeutic nature of a horse that brings stability to the foster and adopted children in the program. The single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult. These relationships provide the personalized responsiveness, scaffolding, and protection that buffer children from developmental disruption. They also build key capacities, such as the ability to plan, monitor, and regulate behavior, that enable children to respond adaptively to adversity and thrive. This combination of supportive relationships, adaptive skill-building, and positive experiences is the foundation of resilience.
Building Resilience and Restoration in Children
We achieve this by developing life skills through equine-assisted learning and community mentorship. The Stable Moments model is built on these values:
- Active Engagement
- Consistent Commitment
- Community Involvement
- Individualized Attention
- Attainable Goals
- Independence
- Responsible Stewardship
The Access Equestrian Stable Moments program keeps the "I Matter Factor" at the core of everything we do. This is the theory that children shouldn't be asked to learn or develop life skills until we have shown them they matter. Many children, who have survived trauma, carry core feelings of worthlessness. Why would anyone make "good" choices if they didn't believe they mattered? Mentorship is one important way we show youth they matter.
These children are used to constant change and interactions with a community that often doesn't understand them. Providing some stability, a positive role model and a trauma-informed approach creates the perfect environment for these children to develop the life skills necessary to make healthy transitions into adulthood.
How Stable Moments Works
Stable Moments is a 10-month, weekly mentorship program where foster and adopted children achieve individualized life goals through Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning (TI-EAL). Through a trauma informed lens, the principles of neuropsychology are woven into each session and the effects of trauma are reduced to create lasting change. The model utilizes volunteer mentors and PATH Intl Certified Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning to facilitate sessions. Bringing horses and youth together, in a one-on-one mentorship program, allows the child to build life skills and relationships that will aid them in healing from trauma, building resiliency and transitioning into a healthy adulthood.