Community Resilience Initiative

Why is becoming trauma-informed important?
Studies have shown that experiencing trauma is prevalent and common, especially in childhood. In a landmark study conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente, about 61% of adults surveyed reported that they had experienced at least one type of traumatic experience, and nearly 1 in 6 reported they had experienced four or more types before the age of 18. Childhood trauma, also referred to as ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) can have lasting negative health and well-being outcomes. Repetitive exposure to ACE’s and trauma can also cause toxic stress, which can change brain development and affect things such as attention, decision-making, learning, and behavior. Childhood trauma can also affect a person’s ability to regulate their emotions, maintain healthy and positive relationships with others, and abstain from risky behaviors such as drug use, crime, and domestic violence in youth and in adulthood. However, ACE’s and trauma are preventable. By helping families and those around us to create safe and stable relationships and environments, and to identify and address their own personal trauma, we can lessen and prevent the negative impacts of trauma. The first step is to come together as a community to create a caring and safe environment for all, and to begin to heal our community from within through education, prevention, and intervention.