We have been advocating and working diligently to bring childhood trauma into the forefront of discussions in the United States government. There have been some resolutions but very little legislation that would require a trauma-informed approach at a national level.
This coming week there will be hearings in Washington by the Committee on Oversight and Reform with the following topic of discussion:
Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Childhood Trauma: A Pervasive Public Health Issue that Needs Greater Federal Attention
This will include trauma survivors telling their stories to the Committee members as a precursor to more formal discussions and federal legislation towards a more trauma-informed and responsive government including, our systems of care. It is another important development on the on-going discussion of this very vital topic that will hopefully find its way to more recognition nationally and finally be imbedded into our political system.
Diane Wagenhals, who is my co-blogger, and I are planning to attend these hearings as a support to this issue. We sincerely hope it will help launch new ideas and options for trauma-informed care all throughout America.
Although it is quite difficult to bring about change in our systems of care I am hoping that we are finally moving to a greater appreciation of the impact of trauma on our children, our educational system, our mental health system and the hundreds of issues related to the opioid addiction crisis. At the core of so many of our social problems is the root of childhood trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
As we consider all that is possible, I am cautiously optimistic about this hearing and other activities that are leading to more acknowledgement and hopefully some action steps towards preventing trauma in our children as well as offering real options for treatment that are trauma-informed.
We appreciate each step of progress along the way, no matter how small.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
