How can I take ACTION?

Like a starfish, the work of the task force involves many independent parts that move it forward towards it’s destination. In a continual cycle, the work begins with connection and education that will hopefully inspire community members to take ACTION. After thoughtful effort and evaluation, the task force can celebrate the healing they see in our community.

There are several ways you can take action: join RTF & subscribe to our mailing list, join a subcommittee and attend meetings, follow us on Facebook and spread the word with your neighbors and colleagues, identify where trauma-informed changes are needed, advocate for those changes, and, if you can, actually make changes in your own organizations.

Advocate

NC Child advances public policies to ensure that every child in North Carolina has the opportunity to thrive—whatever their race, ethnicity, or place of birth. Alongside partners across the state, they create campaigns and build power so children and their families’ voices are heard.

The Resiliency Task Force is a CAN (Child Advocacy Network) Hub, supported by NC Child.

STAY INFORMED-GET INVOLVED

Systems Change

Every system is different and has unique challenges. The most important thing to remember, is that everyone, from those we serve, to the providers and staff at every level, must be knowledgeable about trauma and feel physically and emotionally safe when working or receiving services. Changing systems is not about a new curriculum or program; it’s about fundamentally changing the way we see other people and ourselves. Watch a video about implementing trauma-informed care

To learn more about what organizations in your system are doing, scroll down to visit resources for more specific guidance.

Early Childhood System

Early childhood is an especially vulnerable time for children who experience trauma because the brain is developing so rapidly.

Click here for a short video on “Understanding Early Trauma.”

For more information on creating trauma-sensitive early childhood settings, click here .

School System

For more information on creating a trauma-informed school system, click here.

Click here for a short video from Edutopia on what it means to bring a trauma-informed lens to school settings.

After launching a pilot program at 10 schools in 2019, New Hanover County Schools continues its trauma-informed work. Click here for an overview as of June 2023.

Some additional resources: Trauma-Sensitive Schools and Ducks & Lions: Trauma-Sensitive Resources

child welfare system

For more information on creating a trauma-informed child-welfare system, click here.

Click here for a short video on why “Trauma Matters to Child Welfare.”

Healthcare System

For more information on creating a trauma-informed healthcare system, click here.

Click here for a short video about what a trauma-informed medical practice might look like.

First Responders System

First Responders are on the front line of responding to the symptoms of trauma. Having trauma-informed police and fire departments, sheriff’s office, and others not only benefits the public but also the responders themselves who experience significant levels of secondary trauma and PTSD.

For a guide from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on creating trauma-informed law enforcement systems, click here.

Justice System

“Every child and family I see in court has experienced trauma... The families I serve cannot be successful unless their trauma is addressed.” Judge Jay Corpening, New Hanover County Chief District Court Judge.

Click here for an assessment created in 2016 by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) to assess 8 elements of a court system towards becoming more trauma-informed. Click here for a service systems brief entitled Judges and Child Trauma: Findings from NCTSN and here for a bench card for the “Trauma-Informed Judge.” New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney Ben David’s TED Talk about crime prevention through addressing social determinants of health can be accessed here.

Faith Communities

Faith communities can be places of hope and healing where individuals practice spiritual life together, build positive and loving relationships and work to bring justice and healing into our world. The Family, Faith and Communities Subcommittee works to educate faith communities about the role they can play (from Traumainformedchurches.org) in healing the trauma that members may have experienced in the past or experiencing now. The importance of learning how not to re-traumatize individuals is key.

For a number of bulletin inserts created by Connections Matter, click here.

Arts Community

Participation in arts - visual arts, music, drama, dance, and viewing others creating art can help manage behaviors, process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A committed group of artists and individuals from the arts community gather monthly to discuss ways they can help promote these healing activities.

Historic trauma and racism

Eliminating racism and working towards a more equitable society is critical to the success of the Resiliency Task Force. It is not acceptable to continue to ask people to be more resilient when they live in a world in which oppression and micro-aggressions keep people of color from having a fair chance at being successful.

For local data about racial equity, visit the Cape Fear Collective Racial Equity Dashboard. For an assessment tool for your organization to measure cultural competence, click here.

For a document on concrete things organizations can do to combat anti-blackness and white supremacy, see the document here. (This document is geared towards mental health organizations, but has goals and tasks applicable to all organizations.

Policy Change

Organization Change

The journey to becoming a trauma-informed organization begins with understanding ‘why’. Why choose to take this journey? Trauma-informed organizations produce better outcomes for clients, patients, students and the “providers” themselves. From lower staff turnover to better health outcomes for patients, from better work environments to higher graduation rates and fewer suspensions, from lower stress levels to fewer unnecessary arrests, changes can be far-reaching and profound.