The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, as potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). Some examples include experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect; witnessing violence in the home or community; having a family member attempt or die by suicide; substance misuse; mental health problems in the home and instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison. While ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, substance misuse, negative impact education and job opportunities in adulthood, the impact can be mitigated by supporting resilience through trauma informed practices in schools.
Traumatic experiences in childhood can impact learning, behavior and relationships in school. Trauma sensitive schools help children feel safe in school so they can learn and feel connected. Trauma sensitive schools also take into account that the adults working with individuals with adverse experiences may develop vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue. Thus, self-care is an important component of trauma informed practices.
Resources for Trauma Informed Practices in Schools
- Trauma Sensitive Schools
- National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
- Child Trauma Academy
- National Traumatic Stress Network
- Sesame Street in Communities
