On September 5, 2018 people gathered from 20 different states and from across Tennessee in Johnson City in order to learn more about our growing System of Care. This system now has 35 affiliated organizations who have advanced from being trauma-aware to trauma-responsive. Among those in attendance were Tennessee's First Lady, Crissy Haslam and Delaware's First Lady, Tracy Carney.
(l to r) First Lady Tracy Carney, Becky Haas, First Lady Crissy Haslam
In 2014, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a concept paper entitled Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach with the recommendation that communities address trauma by viewing it as an important component of effective behavioral health service delivery. Additionally, it was SAMHSA’s guidance that communities should address trauma through a multi-agency public health approach inclusive of public education and awareness, prevention and early identification, and effective trauma-specific assessment and treatment. Beginning in 2015, this is the direction we followed in creating our system of care.
Fast forward almost three years later to when we submitted an application for technical assistance to SAMHSA's National Center for Trauma Informed Care asking to host a webinar during 2018 with other cities who also had created systems of care. It was not until we received their reply that we had any inclination that Johnson City had emerged as a leader in developing a community-wide system of care. In her response to our TA submission, Dr. Joan Gillece, Director of the National Center for Trauma Informed Care acknowledged, "Though many communities across the nation are beginning to implement some of these SAMHSA recommendations, Johnson City clearly stands out as a leader in embracing this model" and she requested to come to Johnson City to co-host a forum with us in September.
The purpose of the forum was to tell our story. Since space was very limited we video taped the forum and now are happy to make those videos available. A very special thanks to our friend, Thom Hoyle who recorded the event and edited the recording into smaller segments. We are making these available with the hopes that other cities will find useful information for creating Trauma Informed Systems of Care.
Front left, Bristol TN Mayor Margaret Fierebend and front right, Johnson City, TN Vice Mayor Jenny Brock attended the Forum as supporters of Trauma-Informed Care.
Lisa Carter, CEO, Niswonger Children's Hospital
Dr. Brian Noland, President, East Tennessee State University
(l to r) Dr. Andi Clements, Dr. Joan Gillece, Becky Haas
The videos appear in the same order as they occurred during the September 5th forum.
#1 - Contains remarks made by SAMHSA Regional Administrator, Stephanie McCladdie and Dr. Joan Gillece.
#2 - Dr. Andi Clements and Becky Haas telling the story of creating a Trauma Informed System of Care
#3 - System Partners - East Tennessee State University, Niswonger Children's Hospital, ETSU Pediatrics, St. Jude's Research Clinic, Johnson City/Washington County Boys & Girls Club
#4 - System Partners - Johnson City Police Department, Topper Academy (not recorded), Insight Alliance, Safe Families, TRACES Foster Care, Frontier Health Building Strong Brains Program, other partners
#5 - Becoming a Trauma Informed State - remarks from First Lady Crissy Haslam, Mary Rolando and wrap up from Dr. Joan Gillece.
For questions about creating a community-wide system of care or the Johnson City System of Care, contact: Becky Haas at bhaas@johnsoncitytn.org
Comments (4)