About Robert "Keith" Cartwright (RKC)
I am committed to mental health wellness and fostering healing-centered relationships. It's a commitment that is both professional and personal. It began when I spent 13 years working with at-risk kids in a therapeutic wilderness environment as part of the Eckerd Youth Alternatives organization. That experience not only opened my eyes to the traumatic journeys others often face, but it also began my journey of coming to understand the emotional roller coaster of my own life.
Today, I serve as an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Coordinator for the state of Virginia. I participate in and coordinate initiatives that aim to prevent and mitigate the impacts of early childhood trauma. I also serve as the Alcohol and Drug Education Coordinator in a local college’s counseling center. This role further allows me to support young adults in their search for wellness.
My faith in Jesus is the cornerstone of my existence, guiding me in love and service.
I also have two teenage sons. They teach me, daily, the true meaning of resilience and joy. They are the purest examples I have of loving relationships.
I firmly believe that "life is a we thing." To me, this means that our connections with others are not just important but essential—they are our strongest shield against and remedy for life’s adversities.
Join me in exploring how we can build stronger, more supportive relationships that foster healing and hope for everyone involved.
Today, I serve as an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Coordinator for the state of Virginia. I participate in and coordinate initiatives that aim to prevent and mitigate the impacts of early childhood trauma. I also serve as the Alcohol and Drug Education Coordinator in a local college’s counseling center. This role further allows me to support young adults in their search for wellness.
My faith in Jesus is the cornerstone of my existence, guiding me in love and service.
I also have two teenage sons. They teach me, daily, the true meaning of resilience and joy. They are the purest examples I have of loving relationships.
I firmly believe that "life is a we thing." To me, this means that our connections with others are not just important but essential—they are our strongest shield against and remedy for life’s adversities.
Join me in exploring how we can build stronger, more supportive relationships that foster healing and hope for everyone involved.
RKC Speaks and Teaches
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2024 Speaking Engagements
February 13: Page Alliance For Community Action in Luray, Virginia - "The Power Of Healing Centered Relationships"
February 21: Strengthening Connections: Power Of Prevention Climate Summit, Glen Allen, VA - "Helping Youth Build Healthy Relationships"
March 19: Henrico Public Schools, Henrico, VA - "Trauma Sensitive Approaches To Students And Life"
April 22: Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA - "The Intersection of Alcohol, Marijuana and Youth Mental Health"
April 29: Franklin County Virginia DSS, Rocky Mount, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
May 8: Pathways to Resilience Conference: Overcoming Trauma and Adversity, Danville, VA - "Life Is A We Thing"
May 15: 1st Annual Triumph Over Trauma Summit, Middletown, VA - "Life Is A We Thing"
May 16: IECMH Annual Conference, Virtual - "Foundations First: Securing Early Mental Health To Prevent Future Mental Health Crises
May 18: Arlington Unites, Arlington, VA - "A Spotlight On Trauma Sensitive Care Approaches In Virginia"
May 22: Beyond ACEs Summit, Richard Bland College, Petersburg, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
June 5-6: Spotsylvania County Schools Leadership Conference, Spotsylvania, VA - "Trauma Sensitive Approaches In Education"
June 18-19: Community Resilience Initiative Conference, Roanoke, VA - "Rebuilding Bonds: Nurturing Connectedness After Trauma"
July 30-31: School Safety Conference, Hampton, VA - "Helping Youth Build Healthy Relationships"
August 9: Pulaski County Schools Invocation, Radford, VA - "Helping Youth Build Healthy Relationships"
August 12: DUI Specialty Docket Training, Williamsburg, VA - "Trauma, ACEs, And Protective Factors To Help Participants Move Forward"
August 21: Virginia Region 4 Training Conference, Richmond, VA - "Rebuilding Bonds: Nurturing Connectedness After Trauma
Sept 9: Mental Health Conference, Richmond, VA - "Foundations First: Securing Early Mental Health To Prevent Future Mental Health Crises
Sept 18: Appalachian Center for Hope, Marion, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
Sept 21: Page Alliance For Community Action, Luray, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
February 21: Strengthening Connections: Power Of Prevention Climate Summit, Glen Allen, VA - "Helping Youth Build Healthy Relationships"
March 19: Henrico Public Schools, Henrico, VA - "Trauma Sensitive Approaches To Students And Life"
April 22: Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA - "The Intersection of Alcohol, Marijuana and Youth Mental Health"
April 29: Franklin County Virginia DSS, Rocky Mount, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
May 8: Pathways to Resilience Conference: Overcoming Trauma and Adversity, Danville, VA - "Life Is A We Thing"
May 15: 1st Annual Triumph Over Trauma Summit, Middletown, VA - "Life Is A We Thing"
May 16: IECMH Annual Conference, Virtual - "Foundations First: Securing Early Mental Health To Prevent Future Mental Health Crises
May 18: Arlington Unites, Arlington, VA - "A Spotlight On Trauma Sensitive Care Approaches In Virginia"
May 22: Beyond ACEs Summit, Richard Bland College, Petersburg, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
June 5-6: Spotsylvania County Schools Leadership Conference, Spotsylvania, VA - "Trauma Sensitive Approaches In Education"
June 18-19: Community Resilience Initiative Conference, Roanoke, VA - "Rebuilding Bonds: Nurturing Connectedness After Trauma"
July 30-31: School Safety Conference, Hampton, VA - "Helping Youth Build Healthy Relationships"
August 9: Pulaski County Schools Invocation, Radford, VA - "Helping Youth Build Healthy Relationships"
August 12: DUI Specialty Docket Training, Williamsburg, VA - "Trauma, ACEs, And Protective Factors To Help Participants Move Forward"
August 21: Virginia Region 4 Training Conference, Richmond, VA - "Rebuilding Bonds: Nurturing Connectedness After Trauma
Sept 9: Mental Health Conference, Richmond, VA - "Foundations First: Securing Early Mental Health To Prevent Future Mental Health Crises
Sept 18: Appalachian Center for Hope, Marion, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
Sept 21: Page Alliance For Community Action, Luray, VA - "The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety, It's Connection"
2024 Trainings
January 2: Handle With Care Training, Brunswick County Schools, VA
January 9-11: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort Training, Richmond, VA
January 25: Trauma Informed Leadership Training, Culpepper VA
January 12-15: Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training, Chesterfield VA
February 27-29: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort Training, Fredericksburg, VA
March 26-28: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort Training, Radford, VA
April 19: Handle With Care Training, King George, VA
May 1: Building a Trauma Sensitive Workforce, Greater Roanoke Workforce Development, Roanoke, VA
May 9: Handle With Care Training, Henrico, VA
May 20-21: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Henrico, VA
June 3: ACEs Webinar, Public
June 11-13: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Radford, VA
July 1-3: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Abingdon, VA
July 9: ACEs Webinar for the Virginia Cooperative Extension
July 16-17: Emotional Awareness and Management, Washington County Schools, Washington County, VA
July 23: ACES training for Shenandoah Valley Schools, VA
August 2: Trauma, Positive Emotional Supports, and Emotional Awareness and Management Training, Patrick Springs, VA
August 5: Positive Emotional Supports, and Emotional Awareness and Management Training, Charlotte Courthouse, VA
August 6: Emotional Awareness and Management Training, Chilhowie, VA
August 7: Identifying and Supporting Students with Trauma Experiences, Dinwiddie, VA
August 9: Understanding How to Recognize Toxic VS Healthy Relationships and the Impact on Learning, Pulaski County Schools, VA
August 13-15: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Lexington, VA
August 27-29: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Fredericksburg, VA
Sept 23-26: Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training, Wytheville, VA
January 9-11: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort Training, Richmond, VA
January 25: Trauma Informed Leadership Training, Culpepper VA
January 12-15: Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training, Chesterfield VA
February 27-29: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort Training, Fredericksburg, VA
March 26-28: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort Training, Radford, VA
April 19: Handle With Care Training, King George, VA
May 1: Building a Trauma Sensitive Workforce, Greater Roanoke Workforce Development, Roanoke, VA
May 9: Handle With Care Training, Henrico, VA
May 20-21: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Henrico, VA
June 3: ACEs Webinar, Public
June 11-13: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Radford, VA
July 1-3: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Abingdon, VA
July 9: ACEs Webinar for the Virginia Cooperative Extension
July 16-17: Emotional Awareness and Management, Washington County Schools, Washington County, VA
July 23: ACES training for Shenandoah Valley Schools, VA
August 2: Trauma, Positive Emotional Supports, and Emotional Awareness and Management Training, Patrick Springs, VA
August 5: Positive Emotional Supports, and Emotional Awareness and Management Training, Charlotte Courthouse, VA
August 6: Emotional Awareness and Management Training, Chilhowie, VA
August 7: Identifying and Supporting Students with Trauma Experiences, Dinwiddie, VA
August 9: Understanding How to Recognize Toxic VS Healthy Relationships and the Impact on Learning, Pulaski County Schools, VA
August 13-15: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Lexington, VA
August 27-29: ACE Interface Presenter Cohort, Fredericksburg, VA
Sept 23-26: Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training, Wytheville, VA