Jill L. McHugh, LISW-CP, is an international trainer specializing in trauma-informed care and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Through her certification program, beTI (be Trauma Informed), she offers comprehensive education and training to sports teams, swim schools, gymnastics and dance schools, and nonprofit organizations. In addition to beTI, Jill is the owner and clinical director of jlMcHugh, a private counseling firm. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades as a social worker and nonprofit leader, Jill brings her expertise in trauma and youth program development to businesses and organizations worldwide.
The Wendy Fereday Swim School recently shared with us a letter they received from swim mom Erin. “We took the boys to our pool in the neighborhood for a quick swim yesterday evening to get out some bedtime energy. Decker and Jax were playing with an inflatable water polo goal they recently got. Ames, age 3, went to check it out and I had my eyes on him the whole time from where I was sitting. He leaned over at the edge of the pool and reached too far in the water and fell in head first in the pool. I instantly got up from my chair and ran to help him (I was close enough where I knew I could get to him if I needed to) but I stopped at the edge of the pool because I could see him do the “turn around and save yourself” routine. He was kicking his legs and reaching to the edge of the pool just like you’ve taught him since he was tiny! After he grabbed the edge of the pool, he started to pull himself out of the pool and he was crying. I hugged him and told him “Ames, you did it. You turned around and saved yourself!” He kept crying and saying “I fell in the pool” and I just kept saying over and over again “you turned around and saved yourself” and gave him lots of big hugs. Then the boys came over and told him good job for saving himself and he got so proud of himself.”