Advancing Trauma-Informed Care: New Pathways at the ACEs & Resilience Summit 

Phoenix, AZ | March 4, 2026.

Recently, Lindsay Stansfield, Level Up Academy Program Manager, and Taylor Moschetti, Training & Curriculum Specialist, represented New Pathways for Youth at the 12th Annual ACEs and Resilience Summit hosted by the AZ ACEs Consortium. The virtual conference brought together leaders across Arizona who are committed to building trauma-informed communities and strengthening support systems for youth. 

For NPFY, this presentation was an opportunity to demonstrate how our mentoring and school-based programs translate trauma-informed research into daily practice. Many of the young people we serve through Level Up and Level Up Academy have experienced high levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences, known as ACEs. That reality calls for more than awareness. It requires structured, consistent environments rooted in safety, trust, empowerment, and cultural humility. 

During their workshop, Lindsay and Taylor shared how Level Up Academy integrates SAMHSA’s six trauma-informed principles into every aspect of program delivery. They explained what those principles look like in action, including establishing predictable routines that create emotional safety, centering youth voice in classroom discussions, building consistent relationships with caring adults, and reinforcing strengths rather than deficits. At NPFY, trauma-informed care is not theoretical. It shapes how we design curriculum, train staff, and engage students in meaningful growth. 

To ground the presentation in lived experience, the team incorporated direct quotes from student reflections gathered at the conclusion of the 10-week Level Up Academy program. Rather than having youth present live, these reflections allowed participants to hear authentic student perspectives while maintaining privacy and honoring ethical storytelling practices. Students shared growth in emotional awareness, stronger communication within their families, and increased confidence in navigating challenges. 

The audience response was thoughtful and engaged. Attendees expressed appreciation for practical strategies they could adapt within their own schools and organizations. Many asked about implementation and long-term sustainability. Several explored partnership opportunities and inquired about bringing Level Up Academy into additional school communities. 

Presenting at the Summit reinforced the broader impact of trauma-informed mentoring and education. When educators, nonprofit leaders, and community partners align around resilience and prevention, the benefits extend far beyond a single program cycle. Stronger trauma-informed systems create stronger outcomes for youth. 

For more than 35 years, New Pathways for Youth has believed that transformation happens through safe, consistent relationships. Trauma-informed practice strengthens that foundation and ensures that young people who have experienced adversity are met with structure, dignity, and real opportunity. 

We are proud to contribute to Arizona’s growing movement for trauma-informed communities and to continue turning research into measurable change for the youth we serve.