Staff Training
A school teacher or administrative employee certified as a Master Grief Coach can be an affordable and efficient component of a trauma-informed care plan. This designated person can train others and be a beneficial resource.
Schools can greatly improve academic results by supporting grieving students. Children’s traumatic experiences impact brain development, social functioning, and ability to learn. Some parents avoid grief and teachers feeling unsure about how to appropriately help their students often do nothing. This leaves children unsupported and feeling confused.
Recent United States legislation passed to better meet the needs of vulnerable students by addressing the psychological, developmental, social, and emotional needs of children, and families who have experienced trauma. The Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence recommends every school in our country to have an effective school-based trauma-informed care plan.
Findings from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that adverse childhood experiences predispose children towards negative trajectories from infancy through adolescence. Follow-up studies have shown the long-range impact of early trauma exposure on adult health conditions, including heart disease, asthma, and mental health.
“Adverse childhood experiences are the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today.” – Dr. Robert Block, Former President of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Legislation
Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act of 2017Â Information
Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018Â Information
Resources
ACES Connection, Heal Trauma & Build Resilience ACEsConnection.org
Adverse Childhood Experiences Study CenterForDiseaseControl.gov
Attachment & Trauma Network  CreatingTraumaSensitiveSchools.org
Beyond Consequences Institute BeyondConsequences.com
Center for Youth Wellness CenterForYouthWellness.org
Childhood Trauma Science ChangingMindsNow.org
Coalition to Support Grieving Students GrievingStudents.org
Helping Traumatized children Learn TraumaSensitiveSchools.org
National Association of School Psychologists
Trauma-Sensitive Schools NASPonline.org
National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative SAMHSA.gov/Child-Trauma
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
National Child Traumatic Stress Network NCTSN.org
Trauma Aware Schools TraumaAwareSchools.org
Unites States Department of Justice Defending Childhood Justice.gov/Archives/DefendingChildhood