Efforts are underway in figuring out how to best provide care for children who have experienced trauma in their lives, with regional expert organizations looking at one of Long Beach’s very own health care providers for guidance.
Experts from First 5 LA, the California Community Foundation, the California Endowment and the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation are among a group of organizations that recently announced a collective effort to advance a comprehensive approach to trauma-informed care in the county, according to statement provided to the Post.
“Childhood trauma is a serious health concern affecting many children and families,” stated First 5 LA Executive Director Kim Belshé. "A young child living through a difficult home situation may be unable to express their fears and feelings clearly. We must speak for them. By using a trauma-informed approach in our work with County residents, we can help minimize the impact of trauma and give families the opportunity to reverse its harmful impact on our youngest children.”
Trauma includes a range of adverse experiences that may be exposed to a child in their formative years, according to the statement. Violence at home or in the community, physical and emotional abuse, or a parent struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues can contribute to trauma.
Exposure to trauma as a child can increase the risk of diseases and negative social issues as an adult, including anxiety, depression and chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes, read the statement.
“We look forward to learning from the experts currently engaged in this work,” California Endowment CEO Dr. Robert K. Ross stated. “We want to learn from those that are getting it right and implement a system that will build stronger children and families.”
One of those experts is Dr. Elisa Nicholas, CEO of The Children’s Clinic, Serving Children & Their Families, in Long Beach.
Through various types of screenings—such as trauma, maternal depression, extreme poverty and food and housing insecurities—Nicholas and her staff figure out what kind of issues patients have and what services can best help address those issues.
To continue reading this article by Stephanie Rivera, go to: https://lbpost.com/news/200000...he-children-s-clinic
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