Working with Children: The Importance of Understanding Trauma
Care AC was happy to partner with AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children as they hosted the “Working with Children: The Importance of Understanding Trauma” workshop – a forum for educators on understanding and addressing childhood trauma. The turnout was fantastic as more than 200 educators and health experts gained valuable insight into the impact of trauma on children, as well as strategies they can employ to better treat, educate and understand these children and the challenges they face.
Participants learned that trauma can stem from many different situations, including violence, abuse, an accident, loss of a loved one or natural disasters. Children experience and are affected by these events differently. According to forum testimony, it is estimated that two-thirds of children experience at least one traumatic event by the time they reach the age of 16.
The forum engaged additional community partners including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The Health Federation of Philadelphia, and Grace & Glory Yoga. Care AC awarded a mini-grant to Grace & Glory Yoga to support their continued efforts in the Atlantic City community. Allie Nunzi, founder of Grace & Glory, works with teachers and the community on using yoga as a tool to develop resilience in children and families affected by trauma.