By Laura Braden, CTIPP's Director of Communications and Outreach
In July 2023, the Interagency Task Force on Trauma-Informed Care (Task Force) hosted a summit on trauma-informed care, including lessons learned, so far, and the future of the movement.
The Task Force was established as part of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act of 2018. CTIPP supported the legislation that created the Task Force and has become an increasingly active supporter and stakeholder in the process.
Chaired by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Task Force identifies, evaluates, and makes recommendations regarding: (1) best practices with respect to children and youth, and their families as appropriate, who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing trauma; and (2) ways in which federal agencies can better coordinate to improve the federal response to families impacted by substance use disorders and other forms of trauma.
The summit featured Biden Administration and Congressional leaders, including opening remarks by Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and U.S. Senators Shelley Capito (R-WV) and Dick Durbin (D-IL).
Panels focused on research-based evidence, and CTIPP’s Executive Director Jesse Kohler moderated discussions on community and state level implementation of trauma-informed policies and practices. Leaders, advocates, and experts from across the nation took part in the conversations, including Tennessee, Hawaii, Oregon, Missouri, Maryland, and Illinois.
There was a tremendous dialogue, and we look forward to more opportunities to ensure that voices of diverse lived experiences and those working to implement community-led, trauma-informed, prevention-oriented, resilience-focused, and healing-centered approaches, practices, environments, and systems across the country are included in the ongoing work by the Task Force.
CALLS TO ACTION:
Support the RISE from Trauma Act (S. 1426) to expand the trauma-informed workforce in schools, healthcare settings, social services, first responders, and the justice system, and increase resources for communities to address the impact of trauma.
Support the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act (CMWRA) (S. 1452 and H.R. 3073) to help communities proactively develop local strategies to plan for and respond to the mental health challenges caused by disasters and toxic stress.
Community Panel: Bob Lieberman (Southern Oregon Success, Oregon), Jennifer Brinkmann (Alive & Well Communities, Missouri), Jesse Kohler (CTIPP, nationwide), and Kim Lagree (Healing City Baltimore, Maryland)
State Panel: Melissa McGee (Resilient TN, Tennessee), Tia Hartsock (Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii), Jesse Kohler (CTIPP, nationwide), and Bridget Gavaghan (IL ACEs Response Collaborative, Illinois)
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