Shannon CrossBear

Biography

Shannon CrossBear articulates her purpose as to demonstrate and promote gentle healing. She expresses her commitment to healing through her work in the world. Her own community and family history propelled her to develop leadership skills to address disparities that have led to poor outcomes for friends and relatives.  Throughout a lifetime Ms. CrossBear has led efforts to transform systems in order to better serve children and their families. She has worked to shift systems from deficit-based approaches to strength-based foundations. Restoration of culturally based practices that hold solutions to  current health and societal challenges are part of the message that she shares.

Shannon’s work has included facilitating and consulting with the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, FREDLA, Georgetown University, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and the Surgeon Generals Conference on Children’s Mental Health. She has worked with tribal and non-tribal communities in providing technical assistance to Systems of Care and Circles of Care utilizing traditional interventions and the promotion of culturally congruent and trauma informed practices.

Shannon has worked in communities throughout the contiguous United States and Alaska, as well as within Canada, to address systemic change for improved outcomes for children and their families. Ms. CrossBear has facilitated and supported practices and services that include the provision of culturally cemented early childhood, parenting programs, supports for transition age youth and young adults and families with mental health and substance use disorders. Ms. CrossBear is skilled in trauma informed community engagement.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.