Today, Health Leadership Fellows met and discussed Policy Briefing on Trauma Informed Care.
Speakers were;
Commissioner Vicki Grant, MSW Allegany County Department of Social Services. Her agency started TIC in 2006. Her county is a population of 48,000. She stated before TIC was initiated, her agency had difficulty attracting staff. As TIC was implemented within her organization, people seek out her agency for employment. Because of TIC, Social Services integrate their efforts in order to best serve the public.
Dr. Katie Grim from Erie County Medical Center wanted everyone attending to remember that disease processes are more than likely from a high ACEs. That treatment of diseases can no longer be the treatment of the symptoms. That the treatment of the trauma and it's generational prevention needs to the mandate.
Lieutenant David Mann, Buffalo Police Department. He echoed the importance of TIC for officers working with rape victims. So often victims cannot put together the time line of their assault because of the trauma. Officers are inclined to be suspicious of deception in the testimony. Integrating TIC training of officers bring a sensitivity to the process.
Helen Evans, A parent of a special needs child tells her experience of a long process of the healthcare system and it's traumatizing of her son and herself. Her son triggered at the age of 10 years old and she struggled for years for helpful services. She finally found a TIC facility with Baker Victory Service. Her son now is 20 years old and living on his own.
A brain storming session for ideas for legislative initiative followed.
- TIC mandated reporting similar to child abuse.
- TIC integrated in codes of conduct
- TIC in ongoing re-certifications
- TIC for all school systems
- TIC for all law enforcement best practice
- TIC mandated for any agency receiving government funds
- Medicaid mandated to list ACEs as a coverage
The meeting was attended by over 150 people from a wide range of service providers in the Western New York Counties.
Peter A. Chiavetta
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