The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently hosted multidisciplinary professionals from around the state for a two-day conference aimed at helping organizations better support young children who have experienced trauma and their families.
The event, “Building a Trauma-Informed Organization,” offered research-based strategies and hands-on training for organizations working directly with children and families in areas such as family support services, early childhood education, training and employment programs, the justice system, state agencies, early intervention and home visiting. The conference was hosted by the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine’s Research and Evaluation Division.
“Children in Arkansas are exposed to potentially traumatic events at substantially higher rates compared to national averages,” said Nikki Edge, Ph.D., director of the Research and Evaluation Division. “That increases their risk of physical and emotional health concerns and decreases the likelihood of success in school. However, research is clear that there are concrete steps we can take to help all children thrive, including children who have been through difficult events. It’s critical that we share information about what child and family serving organizations can do to help foster resilience in children and families.”
The first day of the conference was led by experts in the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework. Attendees rotated through three different breakout sessions designed to help put the HOPE approach into practice. These sessions were led by Holly Wingard of Wingard Consulting, Rachel Hanson, M.S., of Healthy Start Tennessee, and Vanessa Lohf, LBSW, of Wichita State University.
The second day included training in Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT). CE-CERT is a suite of skills designed to support the well-being of professionals who are exposed to secondary trauma. The training was led by Kelly Hamman, LCSW, a licensed certified social worker in UAMS’ Psychiatric Research Institute, and Elissa Wilburn, Ph.D., an assistant professor and clinical psychologist with the UAMS Department of Psychiatry.
“This year’s conference focused on specific ways organizations that serve families with young children can help increase access to the kinds of positive childhood experiences that help all children thrive, and help children heal from trauma,” Edge said. “These are experiences such as being in a safe and supportive relationship with a caring adult and having support for social and emotional growth. We hope that all attendees came away with some specific ways they can be more intentional about fostering these kinds of experiences.”
The conference received support from the Office of Childhood Education in the Arkansas Department of Education through the Preschool Development – Birth through Five grant. The UAMS Research and Evaluation Division also partnered with the HOPE National Resource Center when planning the event.
“Our research and evaluation team within the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine focuses on improving health, social and emotional outcomes of young children and families through community-based interventions and supports, so helping our community partners address childhood trauma is a perfect fit for our mission,” Edge added.