The first year of Trauma-Informed DC (TIDC) has been action filled—there have been several large public events (screenings of Paper Tigers and Wounded Places, a School to Prison Pipeline forum and more) as well as small gatherings that have helped gauge where community interests lie and that have built a network, now comprising nearly 600 people. The founder of TIDC, Leah Harris, felt the time seemed right to pause and take stock of what had been accomplished and plan for the future.

Harris wanted an inclusive strategic planning process but knew that the size of the strategy meeting (held on a Saturday, Feb. 20 at the offices of Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services) would need to be relatively small to be effective. To engage a wider audience, Harris, along with consultant Lori Chelius, proposed a survey to solicit a wide range of opinions to inform the planning process. The survey asked questions about areas that TIDC should focus its work, what top activities should TIDC undertake, and what primary role should TIDC serve. Harris and Chelius were happily surprised that the response rate exceeded the 100-limit for SurveyMonkey’s free service.

 The top three choices for areas of focus for TIDC for the next year included: behavioral health (including mental health/substance use) for youth (47.47%); behavioral health (including mental health/substance use) for adults (46.46%); and K-12 education (35.35%).

The choices for activities that TIDC should undertake included:

• Train local sectors (education, police, social services, nonprofits, etc.) on trauma and trauma-informed approaches (52%)
• Conduct a needs assessment of DC residents’ access to trauma-informed services (39%)
• Advocate for trauma-informed public policies/programs/resources (36%)

The question about the role that TIDC should serve yielded answers that were consistent with the choices for activities—training lead the pack, followed by being a resource and advocacy. The open-ended comment section reinforced the need for TIDC to foster cross-sector collaboration.

The strategy session included a SWOT (Strengthens, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, brainstorming the included “dreams” without practical restraints such as funding, and more realistic prioritizing. The process was enhanced by the work of Joe Azar, a graphic recorder, who created lively visual representations of the ideas expressed. The process was to include voting on all of the ideas gathered but time ran out and an alternative proposed—all of the ideas will be dropped into a survey for voting by participants and the results will be added to the Azar drawing (see him at work, below).

The Fresh Food Factory, a non-profit that provides entrepreneurial training and support to low-to-moderate income residents of the Greater DC area who are underrepresented and undercapitalized, provided a delicious and nutritious lunch. Members of the Food Factory team—Shawn Lightfoot (standing center) and Amanda Stephenson (standing right) introduced by Taylar Neuvelle (standing left)—delivered both the lunch and a spirited and enthusiastic overview of their work, mission and future. New enterprises include hydroponic urban farming and the Art-drenaline CafÉ located east of the Anacostia River that trains individuals in preparation and serving of locally sourced food.

Next steps for TIDC include establishing a steering committee and engaging a wide range of community sectors, including the faith community, and diverse individuals (notably men…since Wallace Kirby of University Legal Services was the only man at the table). TIDC pledged to be trauma-informed in all its work;  that includes placing limits on what people are asked to volunteer in time, energy, and expertise. Seeking funds to pay people for their work is trauma-informed, according to participant Jenica Wright.