The Center for Family Resilience at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa funded and hosted one of the nation’s first pilot trainings of PAX Tools for New Beginnings, a new program developed by the PAXIS Institute for women in recovery and the staff who support them.

The program gives local organizations a menu of trauma-informed, research-backed strategies to help women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction improve relationships, collaboration and self-efficacy. Dozens of professionals from mental health, social services, tribal and governmental organizations attended the no-cost, six-hour training at OSU-Tulsa in August.

“We hope participants leave feeling confident that small, intentional actions can create meaningful change,” said Hannah James-Alsabrook, program manager at CFR and lead trainer of the PAX Tools New Beginnings program. “Women in recovery gain practical strategies they can immediately use within their recovery program and in everyday life — whether interacting with their children, communicating with family members, navigating employment or preparing for reunification.”

The need is significant in Oklahoma, which frequently ranks among the top five states for incarcerated women, largely because of nonviolent drug offenses. According to data from the Urban Institute and Family and Children’s Services, female incarceration in the state costs an average of over $30,000 per prison term, not including the societal costs such as child placement in foster care and increased reliance on social benefit programs.

The center has partnered with PAXIS, an international prevention science leader that has trained tens of thousands of staff across the United States, for over a decade to bring PAX strategies to Oklahoma communities, primarily supporting educators in creating nurturing environments for children affected by trauma.

By investing in the New Beginnings pilot, the center brought PAXIS' newest application to Oklahoma, allowing community partners to try the model firsthand and consider how it might support their work. It is one example of how the center uses research and strategic partnerships to deliver practical public benefit, a core part of the university's land-grant mission.

The New Beginnings training emphasizes practical, everyday skills that strengthen self-awareness, support sobriety, improve communication, create predictable routines and build safe and nurturing environments. Participants learn how caring for their own well-being strengthens their recovery while also improving relationships with children, families, coworkers and the broader community.

Throughout the training, women use the New Beginnings Journal to practice mindfulness, set intentional goals, reflect on their progress and prepare for reunification, employment and community reintegration.

“This training offers concrete strategies for teaching, modeling and reinforcing positive behaviors in ways that strengthen relationships, reduce conflict and create supportive recovery environments,” James-Alsabrook said. “Together, these outcomes contribute to healthier families and stronger intergenerational outcomes.”

Organizations that participated in this summer’s training opportunity include the Muscogee Nation Reintegration Program, Cherokee Nation Reintegration, Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS), Resonance Center for Women, Her Hope Rising, The Spring, Carabelle’s Legacy, Family and Children’s Services Women’s Justice Team and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

CFR welcomes opportunities to partner with organizations interested in bringing PAX Tools for New Beginnings to their communities. While additional training is not currently funded through CFR, the center can serve as a technical assistance provider or strategic partner to help organizations explore funding opportunities, training coordination with PAXIS, or create resources and support implementation. To learn more or connect with CFR, visit the center’s website or contact cfr@okstate.edu.

The Center for Family Resilience is part of the OSU College of Education and Human Sciences, working to advance OSU’s land-grant mission by connecting research and practice, leveraging university and community partnerships to strengthen resilience among individuals, families and communities across Oklahoma.