Trauma Smart presents at Conference of the Young Years

Trauma Smart team members had the opportunity to participate in the Conference of the Young Years, sponsored by Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Trauma Smart Director LeAnn Keck and managers Andrew Penner and Jeannie Thurston were in attendance. Jeannie presented sessions on how to keep a trauma-informed focus in leadership and the importance of adult regulation in support roles.

Lee’s Summit School District supports their families at the Student Wellbeing Summit: Parent & Guardian Night

On March 27th, LSR7 held their first Student Wellbeing Summit for families to share information, increase awareness, and provide tools to help navigate issues and topics facing today's youth. Trauma Smart team members were excited to support our partners by hosting a vendor table in the resource fair. Team members connected with families to increase awareness on the impact of trauma, connect families to needed community resources, and provide education and tools related to self-care to caregivers in attendance.

Nelson-Atkins Art Museum and Trauma Smart Partnership

Nelson-Atkins Art Museum collaborated with Trauma Smart® to develop Social-Emotional learning tools using art pieces from the museum to strengthen children’s abilities to identify and express feelings. On February 8th, Nelson-Atkins educators and Trauma Smart® facilitated a workshop for local school personnel to introduce the tools and the importance of being trauma-informed when utilizing them with students.

LPS53 provides Trauma-Informed Care 101 at District PD Day

On February 16th Trauma Smart was invited to support the professional development of staff in the Liberty Public School District. Trauma Smart Manager, Jeannie Thurston, facilitated 2 sessions on Trauma-Informed Care 101 to an audience of staff in a variety of roles. The workshop covered a brief overview of recognizing the importance of understanding trauma, it's impact on staff and students, and strategies to support individuals and organizations. 

United Way Announces New Community Impact 100 Partners

United Way of Greater Kansas City announced the selection of this year's Impact 100 partners, and Crittenton Children's Center was included. This annual list is comprised of the hundred most vital health and human service organizations that United Way will invest and partner with to bring real-time solutions to our community.

The full list of selected organizations can be found here.

Trauma Smart participates in Leadership EDIT Summit 2023

Team members provided Trauma Smart resources and information at the Leadership EDIT 2023 Conference to support its goal of creating a cohort of building and district leadership who are focused on creating equitable and trauma-informed systems.

How do we keep “trauma-informed” the focus of leadership?

Original Source: Missouri Children's Trauma Network

Our team member Jeanie Thurston presented at the 2023 Missouri Children's Trauma Network Training Summit on how to maintain a trauma informed focus as leaders. One way to keep that focus is to model a trauma-informed approach in their interactions with all staff. A trauma-informed approach considers not only the impact of trauma for individuals served, but also the lives of staff. Using a trauma-informed approach in the work environment may lead to an increase of skills and resiliency with staff.

Trau­ma Smart pro­gram sup­ports youth who’ve expe­ri­enced adversity.

Original Source: Robin LaBarbera

Recent research published in the journal Psychological Trauma about the intervention Trauma Smart points to the effectiveness of the training school staff in trauma-informed approaches. Data from the evaluation indicated that participants were satisfied with the training, they scored higher on the knowledge assessments, and staff attitudes became more favorable to trauma-informed approaches from before to after implementing the training program. 

Center School District staff take on Trauma Smart training

Original Source: KMBC

Staff at Center School District learn how to help children impacted by trauma and violence through a program developed by Saint Luke's Crittenton Children's Center. Watch KMBC's story on the special Trauma Smart training as students head back to school.

Trauma Smart Supports Shawnee Mission School District’s Impact Institute for Educators

Original Source: SMSD.org

Trauma Smart manager Britt Visser presented at SMSD's Impact Institute for Educators on the impact of trauma and the role that educators can play in helping children cope and recover. She was one of many speakers to support the even that hosted over 400 educators.