Building a trauma-informed community together
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events experienced by children that can disrupt healthy brain development. Children who experience ACEs, which include violence, abuse, and neglect, are at significantly higher risk for mental and physical health issues as they become adults. Adults who experienced ACEs have a shorter life span than those who were not negatively impacted by ACEs. Trusting relationships for children exposed to ACEs can counteract negative effects on brain development, preventing lifelong negative mental and health consequences.
Trauma Informed Care is an organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma. Becoming "trauma-informed" means recognizing that people often have many different types of trauma in their lives.
~ The Trauma Informed Care Project
All agencies, organizations, or groups in Kankakee and Iroquois County are encouraged to take steps to become trauma informed as a way to support and improve the lives of children and adults living and working in Kankakee and Iroquois County.
Resources
The following is a collection of state and national resources for agencies and organizations to promote and sustain trauma-informed care within their organizations.
Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative
A broad range of multi-sectoral stakeholders committed to expanding the understanding of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impact on the health and well-being of Illinois children, families, communities, and systems. Learn more.
Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY)
Trauma-Informed Care resources and trainings. Learn more.
Illinois Department of Human Services
Resources to address traumatic events, with resources and tips for various sectors of the community, including faith-based communities. Learn more.
Office of the California Surgeon General
Resources for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress and the Roadmap to Resilience report. Lean more.
SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach
A guide to implementing a trauma informed framework, including adherence to the key principles of a trauma informed approach. Learn more.
United Way Fox Cities Trauma Informed Roadmap
Toolkit available that includes overview, organizational readiness self-assessment and five trauma-informed principles assessment. Learn more.
PACEs Connection
Information exchange and resources to support ACEs initiatives, including online communities. Learn more.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Leveraging the Best Available Evidence. Learn more.
Trauma-Informed Awareness Day
Established by Illinois House and Senate resolutions in 2019, Trauma-Informed Awareness Day recognizes the impact of childhood adversity and highlights the importance of prevention, community resilience, and trauma-informed care.
Trauma-Informed Awareness Day comes at a critical time for us as we experience the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued effects on local families. Now, it is more important than ever to support each other and work together for a trauma-informed future. We hope you will join us in celebrating the work of our incredible community. Check out the video below for highlights from Trauma-Informed Awareness Day in 2020.