What is a Trauma-Informed Care?
According to SAMHSA, a trauma-informed approach recognizes the widespread effects of trauma and seeks to provide an environment of care that is safe, empathetic, and empowering. At Crater Health District, we understand that people who have experienced trauma may face challenges that are not immediately visible.
Our trauma-informed practices include:
- Safety: We prioritize creating spaces where individuals feel physically and emotionally safe. This means understanding that trauma survivors may need time and space to feel comfortable in a new environment or when seeking help.
- Trustworthiness & Transparency: We are transparent in our communications, ensuring that individuals know what to expect from our services, and we respect their choices and autonomy in decision-making.
- Peer Support: We value the power of shared experiences. Our approach encourages connection and support between individuals who have walked similar paths, promoting healing through community and understanding.
- Collaboration and Mutuality: We foster strong partnerships with local healthcare providers, schools, social services, and community groups, CHD ensures that resources are shared, programs are coordinated, and health initiatives are tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse populations.
- Empowerment, Voice and Choice: We work collaboratively with individuals, giving them a voice in the care process. Empowering people to make informed choices about their care helps to foster a sense of control and dignity.
- Recognizing Cultural, Historical, and Gender Differences: We recognize the significance of cultural identity, and we ensure that our services are inclusive and sensitive to diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
What is Resilience?
An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Resilience has been shown to buffer the impact of suffering or stress. Resilience isn’t just a gift of nature or an exercise of will; resilience grows through positive experiences, supportive environments and the caring intervention of others.
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?
ACEs are stressful or traumatic events, including abuse and neglect. They may also include household dysfunction such as witnessing domestic violence or growing up with family members who have substance use disorders. ACEs can affect the development and prevalence of a wide range of health problems throughout a person’s lifespan. The Crater Health District has adopted the ACEs Connection‘s Building Community Resilience 2.0 Model.
Crater Health District’s Efforts to Promote a Trauma-Informed System
Realizing that the social determinants of health affect a region’s health outcomes, the Crater Health District partnered with the Southside Trauma-Informed Community Network. We’ve implemented a healing-centered organizational grant from the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Our trauma is real, and the people we serve are learning about how trauma shows up through our programs, services, and activities:
- Educate: ACEs, TIC and Resilience Workshops
- Celebrate: Beyond ACEs Summit
- Educate: Community Learning Collaborative
- Engage: Community Network
- Celebrate: Healing Arts
- Activate: Train-the-trainer
- Activate: Voice for Virginia’s Children
Learn more about our work: