5 Big Policy Strategies to Tackle Childhood Trauma—and a Toolkit to Make It Happen


early care preschool program with diverse kids

Childhood trauma is a rising crisis in California. Trauma like childhood poverty and abuse have ripple effects on the state's public health, education, and juvenile and criminal justice systems. Teachers and law enforcement are rarely trained on how to deal with traumatized kids. Not to mention the affect on children's brains, bodies, and futures. To raise awareness about childhood trauma and better serve kids in California (38.9% Latino), 100 health professionals and advocacy groups created the the California Campaign to Combat Childhood Adversity in 2014. The group is now pushing five big policy strategies to address childhood trauma in the California Legislature. And they've created a toolkit to help other state advocates do the same. "Often people think about trauma, ...

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Report: How Early Childcare Providers Can Help Children of Trauma



Most early childcare providers deal with children who have experienced or will experience neglect, poverty, or other traumatic events that can harm long-term health. But not all providers know how to best help these children. Fortunately, a new report from Child Trends and the National Center for Children in Poverty, is giving childcare providers guidance in dealing with children of trauma. How Early Childhood Trauma Affects Kids Trauma is a sad fact of life for many children. Whether its child abuse or witnessing domestic violence, trauma can impair a child's body and brain development. It also can hinder learning and the ability to develop healthy relationships across the lifespan. Latino kids exposed to many traumatic events are at higher risk for obesity, asthma, heart ...

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Oprah Reports on Childhood Trauma with Dr. Bruce Perry



Oprah Winfrey is raising awareness about childhood trauma and the need for trauma-informed care. Childhood trauma—like abuse, neglect, and poverty—changes a child's brain, body and behavior. Behavior is often the first "red flag" of trauma. But too often caregivers, teachers, and law officers misinterpret that red flag as "bad behavior" that needs "fixing." They are rarely trained on the science of childhood trauma and how it affects Latino and all children. That is why Oprah Winfrey returned the city where she grew up facing poverty, sexual abuse and other negative experiences to explore the science of childhood trauma on 60 Minutes with trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry. Science Behind Adverse Childhood Experiences What started as inquiry into high patient drop-out rates ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 2/13: Latinos, Heart Health & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)


latina heart girl

On average, heart disease causes 1 death every 38 seconds, according to the American Heart Association. Latinos are often unaware of their risk for heart disease. Mexican Americans in particular have higher levels of uncontrolled blood pressure than non-Latino whites and are less likely to receive treatment for high blood pressure. This, poor diet and lack of physical activity, can put them at great risk for heart disease. What else contributes to poor heart health? Growing evidence shows that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) also play a role in developing heart disease. Let’s use #SaludTues on Feb. 13, 2018, to chat about ways to promote heart health and prevent ACEs in Latino communities! WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Latinos, Heart Health and ACEs" ...

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4 Ways Childhood Trauma Changes a Child’s Brain and Body



Children don't magically "get over" trauma when they turn 18. Trauma, toxic stress, and adverse childhood experiences permanently change a child's body and brain, which can have serious, lifelong consequences, according to a recent report from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Here are four ways trauma can overload a child's developing system: 1. Hormone level changes: Cortisol and adrenaline are the "stress hormones" that help you react to a perceived threat or danger by directing blood flow to major muscle groups and bypassing the thinking part of the brain to activate the survival part. High levels of these hormones keep your blood pressure elevated, which weakens the heart and circulatory system; keep your glucose levels elevated, which can lead ...

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Philly Tackles Childhood Trauma with Philanthropy



More kids in Philadelphia experience four or more childhood traumas (21.5%) than kids across the nation (14.3%). Multiple traumas like abuse, parental death, racism, fear of deportation, and others—known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—can significantly impact a child's brain development, academic achievement, and physical and mental health into adulthood. Latino kids are at high risk of multiple traumas, and acting out. That's why we are excited to see three philanthropic groups team up in Philadelphia (14.4% Latino) to create a new guide to help funders and groups focus on bringing trauma-informed care for local kids. Trauma-informed care shifts the outlook from "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you and how can we help?" "Understanding the ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 2/6: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Improve Latino Health



Neglect. Abuse. Domestic violence. Living in foster care. Racism. Civil unrest. Fear of deportation. These traumas can severely damage children's minds and bodies. In fact, childhood trauma—also called adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—can increase risk for health conditions like diabetes, spur risky behaviors like substance abuse and smoking, and cause depression and other mental health issues. These problems, which can last into adulthood, affect Latino children at a much higher rate. A trauma-informed approach can help educators and caregivers recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma to help children heal. Let’s use #SaludTues on Feb. 6, 2018, to Tweet about a trauma-informed approach to improve Latino and all kid’s health. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “A ...

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Infographics, Videos, and Reports to Understand Childhood Trauma



More than 2 in 3 kids report at least one traumatic event by age 16. It's even worse among Latino kids. In fact, 28.7% of Latino kids have experienced four or more traumatic experiences. The impact of childhood trauma can last well beyond childhood. In order to suspend judgement and help children heal, it is important to recognize the signs of traumatic stress and understand the short- and long-term impacts. The infographics can will help: Understanding Childhood Trauma from SAMHSA's National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Entendamos el trauma infantil from SAMHSA's National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Language Matters from The National Council How to Manage Trauma from The National Council Why Trauma Matters in Primary Care from The National ...

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Promotoras to Tackle Child Abuse on San Antonio’s West Side


City Council Member Shirley Gonzales participates in a promotores training session (via District 5 Council Office)

Did you know eight of every 1,000 Texas kids are victims of child abuse? Sadly, that number is even higher in certain parts of San Antonio. That includes San Antonio's District 5, a largely Latino district on the West Side where families struggle with domestic violence, pregnancy, and other trauma, according to Texas Public Radio. Shirley Gonzales, the City Council representative for District 5, wanted to help. Gonzales teamed with Victoria Salas of Family Service Association to find an innovative way—promotoras—to prevent trends that lead to child abuse. The Need for Child Abuse Prevention Across the U.S., 78% of Latino kids suffer at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), such as poverty, neglect, and child abuse, according to a recent Salud America! ...

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