Wilmington University Comprehensive Plan Childhood Trauma Report

Understandingthe impact of trauma and how a child who experiences adverse lifeexperiences learns, behaves, and ultimately, interprets their world iscrucial for educators. The ACEs study was groundbreaking research thatpaved the way for researchers to continue to dig deeper and foreducators to work and manage their learning environment morestrategically and empathically.

Using ACEs as your framework and lens through which to view thetarget population, develop a comprehensive trauma plan that supports allchildren. Consider research conducted by the CDC and SAMSHA whencrafting your plan. Think about what the adults in your school may beexperiencing as survivors of adverse childhood experiences. Reflect onthe impact that compassion fatigue (secondary or vicarious trauma) mayhave on your teachers and counselors and in turn, on the studentpopulation they serve. How does this plan consider the currentdisciplinary policy, and how may it differ, if at all, viewing itthrough a trauma-informed lens.

Think big picture; a paradigm shift. Be an agent of change!