Enhancing and promoting trauma-informed, evidence-based practices through shared learning.
Trauma-Informed Community of Practice.
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Communities of practice are groups of individuals who share a common interest, face similar challenges, or are passionate about a specific topic. They enhance their knowledge and expertise by interacting regularly to develop skills within the community. At LifeBridge, we are committed to enriching our community by actively integrating trauma-informed approaches into the very fabric of our organization and our dedicated team. This initiative is designed to elevate our service delivery and outcomes. In this spirit of collaboration, we've created the TI-CoP to empower fellow service providers and community-based organizations to embrace this transformative journey alongside us.
Trauma-Informed Organizations
A trauma-informed organization recognizes and acknowledges the profound impact that trauma can have on both its employees and the communities it serves. By understanding how trauma manifests and its potential adverse effects, the organization seeks to create an environment supporting healing and resilience. This involves implementing policies, practices, and training prioritizing mental health and well-being, ultimately fostering a culture of empathy, trust, and safety for everyone involved.
What are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)?
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are significant and often distressing events that occur in childhood, including various forms of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect, and dysfunction within the community or household.
Research has shown a clear link between ACEs and various negative outcomes, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, suicide, poor physical health, and obesity. ACEs contribute to 7 out of 10 deaths and can reduce life expectancy by as much as 20 years.
The development of symptoms resulting from exposure to ACEs differs based on several factors. These include the type and severity of the event, cumulative or repeated exposure, individual characteristics (such as age at the time of exposure), and access to personal and community resources. Additionally, the effects of ACEs can be transmitted across generations.
What are positive childhood experiences (PCEs)?
Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) refer to children’s experiences of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments. PCEs can prevent or protect children from traumatic events, toxic stress, or ACEs. These positive experiences can happen both in and outside the home.
Children and youth with traumatic backgrounds often have complicated relationships with their parents or other adults, but having healthy relationships with adults is essential to growth. PCEs build self-esteem in children and youth by reinforcing that they are valued and that the world is generally safe and welcoming. This cultivates positive self-regard, which is the foundation of self-esteem. By providing consistent love and support, parents can make an enormous difference in a child’s well-being now and in the future.
The relationship between PCEs in childhood and good mental health in adults is dose-responsive, meaning the more positive experiences that individuals had, the more likely they were to report few or no issues of adult mental health challenges. The more PCEs a child has, the more likely they are to be healthy and resilient.
The cost of ACEs
ACEs are costly. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted the health-related cost of ACEs to Connecticut taxpayers is $174 billion annually. This is just in healthcare costs alone - increased utilization of services for health conditions that could be prevented or mitigated - and does not account for related costs in the criminal justice, education, child welfare, or other systems due to the consequences of ACEs. Even a moderate 10% reduction in ACE prevalence could save Connecticut taxpayers $17.4 billion annually. A trauma-informed system improves health, education, and social outcomes and lessens economic impacts.
Peterson C, Aslam MV, Niolon PH, Bacon S, Bellis MA, Mercy JA, Florence C. Economic Burden of Health Conditions Associated With Adverse Childhood Experiences Among US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Dec 1;6(12)