Schools have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help these children recover from trauma and develop the skills necessary to experience academic and social success. This begins with educating school personnel on trauma and effective interventions.
Resource Topic: Trauma-informed practices
Project AWARE Ohio: Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education
Project AWARE Ohio is a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education, the Center for School Based-Mental Health Programs at Miami University and the educational service centers within three pilot communities: Cuyahoga County, Warren County and Wood County. Funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Project AWARE Ohio supports schools and communities in:
- Raising awareness of behavioral health issues among school-aged youth;
- Providing training to detect and respond to mental health challenges and crisis in children and young adults; and
- Increasing access to behavioral health supports for children, youth and families.
Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
The Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators was developed to provide school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.
Research suggests that approximately 25% of American children will experience at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. A child’s reactions to trauma can interfere considerably with learning and/or behavior at school. However, schools also serve as a critical system of support for children who have experienced trauma.
Early Stress Gets under the Skin: Promising Initiatives to Help Children Facing Chronic Adversity
Many children experience adversity in the form of poverty, abuse or neglect, homelessness, or other conditions that make them vulnerable to the damaging effects of chronic stress. New research reveals that chronic stress alters their rapidly developing biological systems in ways that undermine their ability to succeed in school and in life. The good news is that we have strong evidence for programs and approaches that policy makers could use to help these children overcome the effects of stress.
Adverse Community Experiences and Resilience
This report offers a groundbreaking framework for understanding the relationship between community trauma and violence. Until now, there has been no basis for understanding how community trauma undermines both individual and community resilience, especially in communities highly impacted by violence, and what can be done about it.
Helping Traumatized Children Learn: Creating and Advocating for Trauma-Sensitive Schools
As a follow up to Helping Traumatized Children Learn: A Report and Policy Agenda, this hopes to move beyond awareness of trauma’s impacts on learning to help schools become trauma-sensitive learning environments that can improve educational outcomes for all students
Helping Traumatized Children Learn: A Report and Policy Agenda
A collaboration among educators, parents, mental health professionals, community groups, and attorneys determined to help children experiencing the traumatic effects of exposure to family violence succeed in school.
Consortium for Resilient Young Children
The Consortium for Resilient Young Children brings together the best of Early Childhood and Mental Health practices. Historically, these two disciplines have operated without integration. The Consortium promotes best practices related to quality child care and access to children’s mental health services.
Trauma Toolbox for Primary Care
Helping Foster and Adoptive Families Cope With Trauma: A Guide for Pediatricians
San Diego Unified Transitions Toward a Trauma-Informed School District
A school administrator adopts trauma-informed approach where staff members strive to meet the emotional and physical needs of children in addition to their academic needs