According to data from the Alachua County Health Department, reported cases of child abuse and domestic violence have been steadily increasing over the past five years (Well Florida Council, 2020). This trend underscores the urgency of implementing effective strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of ACEs and trauma. In "Empowering Alachua County: A Collaborative Trauma-Informed Initiative for Community Resilience," we propose a multifaceted approach to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma within Alachua County. Our project is built upon trauma-informed principles, emphasizing safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment (Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, 2016). We utilize the CDC’s social ecological model to address ACEs at multiple levels, including individual, interpersonal and community (CDC, 2022). At the individual level, our interventions focus on providing trauma-informed training for teachers, staff, parents, and caregivers (CDC, 2022). Interpersonally, we establish peer support groups within schools to foster resilience and coping skills among students (CDC, 2022). Organizational changes include implementing trauma-informed practices within schools, while community-wide initiatives aim to promote awareness and collaboration among stakeholders (CDC, 2022). Our intervention will utilize trauma-informed principles, including safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural humility, to guide our activities (Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, 2016). These principles will be integrated into all aspects of our project, ensuring that our interventions are sensitive to the needs and experiences of individuals affected by trauma.
At the primary prevention level, our intervention aims to prevent childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by addressing underlying risk factors and promoting protective factors in the community. This includes implementing evidence-based prevention programs, promoting positive parenting practices, and advocating for policies to reduce violence and support healthy childhood development (Bonanno et al., 2011; SAMHSA, 2014). Moving to the secondary prevention level, our program focuses on early identification and intervention for individuals at risk of or experiencing trauma. This involves providing trauma-informed training and support for professionals, implementing screening and assessment protocols, and connecting individuals with appropriate services (SAMHSA, 2014; Green et al., 2015). Lastly, at the tertiary prevention level, our intervention aims to mitigate the impact of trauma and ACEs, promoting recovery and resilience among affected individuals. This includes providing trauma-informed care, therapeutic interventions, and support groups, as well as fostering community engagement and social support networks for healing and recovery (Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, 2016).
References:
Bonanno, G. A., Westphal, M., & Mancini, A. D. (2011). Resilience to loss and potential trauma. Annual review of clinical psychology, 7, 511–535. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032210-104526
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). The social-ecological model: A framework for prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html
Green, B. L., Saunders, P. A., Power, E., Dass-Brailsford, P., Schelbert, K. B., Giller, E., Wissow, L., Hurtado-de-Mendoza, A., & Mete, M. (2015). Trauma-informed medical care: CME communication training for primary care providers. Family medicine, 47(1), 7–14.
Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. (2016). Trauma Informed Philanthropy: A Funder’s Resource Guide for Supporting Trauma-Informed Practice in the Delaware Valley. https://philanthropynetwork.or...raumaGUIDE_Final.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/use...es/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
Well Florida Council. (2020). Community Health Needs Assessment. Florida Department of Health Alachua County. https://alachua.floridahealth....cuments/cha-2020.pdf
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