Knowing the enemy is often quoted as an essential part of winning battles. Right now, in healthcare, we have an enemy that is associated with numerous negative health outcomes and that enemy is trauma and adverse childhood experiences. Without proper interventions that focus on reducing exposure of adverse childhood experiences and promoting relationships that help combat these negative exposures, our communities will continue to suffer. This program seeks to build resilience and wellness within Alachua County through a community education program. Furthermore, it will utilize university students and faculty to spread awareness about trauma and train community organizations on trauma-informed approaches. We aim to target the organizational level of McLeroy’s Social Ecological Model as we see it as an opportunity to influence every level from the individual level to public policy. This project encourages the primary prevention method in that it promotes universal precautions through the training sessions. Our program realizes the importance of trauma-informed principles, as defined by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, and would want to model the benefits of this approach through our delivery. With practices that promote capacity building and collaboration across sectors, this project would lead Alachua County into becoming a trauma-informed community. This education program would plant the seed that could develop into something much greater and lead to a healthier community.
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