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Students at the Park

UPLIFT:
A Trauma-Informed Care
Training Program for Schools

Effective July 1, 2022, the CT General Assembly passed legislation requiring Regional Educational Service Centers (RESC) to develop a statewide training program to support public school educators address trauma.

 

Trauma can negatively impact physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral development, and can have lasting effects on health, well-being, and prosperity well into adulthood. A trauma-informed approach can help schools thoughtfully look at strategies to identify areas that may be perpetuating trauma responses in students, staff, and families. UPLIFT is a train-the-trainer program that is trauma-informed, resilience-focused, and individualized to meet the unique systemic needs of a school or district. The Regional Trauma Coordinators will provide training, technical assistance, and consultation to public school districts.

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UPLIFT Vision

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One day, schools across the state will infuse a trauma-informed lens into existing practices, realizing that this shift is critical for the well-being of their students, and will positively impact the climate for everyone in the building.

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Know the Stats

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  • Nationally, 63% of children have faced some form of adverse childhood experience (ACE)

  • 20-25% of youth from low-income backgrounds experience 4 or more ACEs

  • 40% of adults in CT reported symptoms of anxiety or depression

  • 49% of youth in CT aged 12-17 who have depression did not receive any care in 2020...of the 51% receiving care for depression, 70% are receiving that support at school

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Children Affected by Trauma are

Far More Likely to Experience:

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  • Learning difficulties

  • Mental Health Concerns

  • Lower grades and graduation rates

  • Increased suspensions and expulsions

  • Increased involvement with child welfare and juvenile justice systems

  • Long-term health problems

  • Decreased life expectancy

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Our Curriculum

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foundations of
trauma-informed care
 

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals

  • Identify ways that trauma or toxic stress impact neurological development, relationships and learning.

  • Understand types of trauma experienced by children, adults and/or specific communities.

  • Understand the key components of a trauma-informed approach in schools.

  • Identify trauma-informed care practices that can uplift your existing building-wide practices.

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STAFF & SYSTEM WELLNESS

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals

  • Increased understanding of the impact that trauma exposure has on our students, and the adults that work with them.

  • Recognition of the signs of secondary/vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue & burnout.

  • Increased knowledge and use of meaningful self-care and system wellness strategies to mitigate stress for all school-based employees.

Compassionate Leadership: Paving the way for trauma-informed schools

Audience: Multidisciplinary Team

Goals

  • Increased understanding of a comprehensive TIC framework at the system and/or building level

  • Understanding of barriers/needed components for meaningful change

  • Learn how to utilize the tools and resources offered through the training program to increase TI practices in schools (e.g., needs assessment, review of existing school data, action step/goal  planning, training, etc.)

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TIC IN PRACTICE SERIES

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals:

  • Develop a deeper and more individualized understanding of major TI concepts, according to your specific role in the building.

  • Utilization of needs assessment data to identify key areas of strength and areas to target.

  • Identification of existing practices and development of universal, select and targeted TI strategies that can be utilized in all school spaces by all school-based staff

Fostering a Sense of SAFETY

Prioritizing TRUSTWORTHINESS & TRANSPARENCY

Harnessing Resilience through PEER SUPPORT

Taking Steps Toward COLLABORATION & MUTUALITY

EMPOWERMENT, VOICE & CHOICE for All

Unpacking & Addressing CULTURAL, HISTORICAL & GENDER ISSUES

How to Get Involved

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1. Want to learn more about UPLIFT?
Complete our Interest/Engagement Form, which will reach our Regional Trauma-Informed Care Coordinators.

 

2. Contact your local RESC Trauma Coordinator

Learn more about your Regional Trauma Coordinator.  

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