What is Trauma?
Trauma is pervasive; it affects people regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual or gender identity, or socioeconomic status. SAMSHA defines individual trauma as “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being”.
How does trauma impact families who receive services at Family Promise of Greater Cleveland?
When families come through the doors of Family Promise, they are often not only dealing with the trauma and stress that come from experiencing homelessness, but they are also frequently overwhelmed by the affects that past traumas, or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), have on their ability to cope with their current situation. ACEs are potentially traumatic events that happen during childhood (0-17 years of age) and can include experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect, witnessing family or community violence, or growing up in a household with mental health or substance abuse issues. ACEs have been proven to have a lasting, negative effect on health and well-being, and are linked with chronic health problems and mental illness in adulthood. ACES are correlated with:
· Smoking
· Alcoholism and drug use
· Heart disease
· Anxiety
· Depression
· Cancer
· Incidence of attempted suicide
· Diabetes
· Stroke
· COPD
· Obesity
· Missed work
What is Trauma Informed Care (TIC)?
TIC shifts the focus from “what is wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?” An organization that approaches care through a trauma informed lens seeks to understand the whole person, their history, experiences, and need, to provide treatment and services in a healthy, compassionate environment, and to actively avoid re-traumatization.
How does Family Promise implement TIC in daily practice?
To uphold our commitment to providing TIC to our clients, as well as adhering to TIC in our interactions with each other, Family Promise has begun a three-year certification process with the Sanctuary Institute to become a certified trauma informed organization. According to the Sanctuary Institute “a trauma-informed organization is one that recognizes the inherent vulnerability of all human beings to the effects of trauma and organizes system-wide interventions aimed at mitigating the negative effects of adversity and stress that are manifested in the clients served and the organization itself.” By understanding and adhering to the principles of TIC in our daily interactions, Family Promise believes that all those who enter our facility will experience a more supportive environment, leading to improved outcomes for our families.
For more information on trauma and trauma informed care, please visit the resources below:
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (cdc.gov)
Homelessness Resources: Trauma | SAMHSA
What is Trauma? - Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center (chcs.org)