Trauma Informed Approach

Last week I was able to learn about and network with PREP organizations from all over the US.  47 states are receiving federal funds and the types of projects happening nationwide are diverse, creative, meaningful and hugely impactful. 

Representatives from government agencies like the CDC, US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program and national organizations like the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Advocates for Youth, Healthy Teen Network and many more presented workshops to further develop our skills and knowledge of the reach and scope of this nationwide project. 

I am even more appreciative of the design of this grant in that it allows for flexibility in implementation that truly reflects the unique culture, needs and resources in each community while working hard to establish a legitmate and reliable evaluation process. 

I was particularly drawn to the discussions of trauma informed approaches in teen pregnancy prevention.  With 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experiencing sexual abuse before they are 17, we will have several youth in our classes that have not had a choice when it comes to their sexual history.  So their behavior, participation, ability to concentrate, and on-going participation could be clues to the lack of meaningfulness of the class or recognition of their stories.

Garfield County PREP is implementing several strategies to create a safe environment for youth and facilitators in our programs.  One strategy is to look critically at the language used throughout the youth education classes and clarify that these curriculum are designed to support youth in making decisions, setting limits and negotiating relationships when there is a CHOICE to do so.  When the relationship is between two youth around the same age and there is not coercion, abuse and assault.  In some cases we have to define what coercion, abuse and assault means and have already begun collaborating with Childhelp Riverbridge and school and community counselors to provide support. 

We are also increasing the education of parents in our communities so they know the statistics and have the skills to raise a "community of children safe from sexual offenders". 

On Tuesday, May 15 Garfield County PREP is offering a FREE class to parents called

Parents Preventing Sexual Abuse:  10 Tips Every Parent Should Know To Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse

At the Carbondale Family Resource Center

Corner of 4th and Sopris

5:30pm dinner

6-8pm class

We will have a Spanish Interpreter on site as well. 

Please share this important class and let's do all we can to bring light to this issue!