this is a real important article, you all should discuss it. https://medium.com/@ginwright/the-future-of-healing-shifting-from-trauma-informed-care-to-healing-centered-engagement-634f557ce69c
I'd summarize but haven't totally read it, my eyes aren't working that great today.
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Al:
Thank you for the link. We shared it yesterday. I agree - it's dynamite. Keep sharing any articles you see. As a member you can post them as a blog or share them with one of the ACEs Connection staff and your comments about what interested you, resonated, etc. are always welcome!
Thank you!
Cissy
I think this is a great article...and it isn't an either/or...it is a both/and.
We do need to talk about brain development and how adversity impacts it - but not in a way that labels or diminishes the human. The brain's responses are an adaptive response to a system (and the systems outcomes) that is inherently flawed and unjust. Focusing on what is "wrong" with a person misses the point entirely.
I think the point of trauma informed care...is that it recognizes the wounds created by the system and seeks to change the system. It does that with a multilayered approach. It might be time to change the name, if people are using "trauma informed" to label and blame (and continue the inequities that created much of the trauma to begin with)....but done well, I think that a trauma informed approach is really looking at the system not the individual.
- It recognizes that relationships must be authentic and honor the dignity and humanity (and strengths/gifts) of each person.
- It helps people impacted by the system understand how their brain legitimately adapted to an environment that they did not deserve and gives them tools to navigate toward who they really are.
- It recognizes that the dominant culture has values that are harmful to many and seeks to undo the practices that continue that harm.
- It is a strengths based approach that builds resilience and hope by giving people voice and agency as a way of shifting the systems.
What we've learned in schools is that moving toward a trauma informed approach moves away from the individualistic/compliance models that are traditional to a more collectivist model. The schools that are most effective have shifted not just their approach to discipline and social-emotional learning but also their approach to pedagogy. It is more inclusive, more culturally responsive and (gradually) creates a place where every child and adult at school feels safe, belongs and know they matter.
