Intro to Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for School Success. Presented by NYS-TEACHS

Transcription

1 Intro to Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for School Success Presented by NYS-TEACHS

2 Purpose Participants will: Understand the definition of trauma and its impact on school success for students in temporary housing Become familiar with the three trauma-sensitive elements of the School Success Framework Take away initial strategies for implementing the three elements of the School Success Framework Know where to find more information

3 Training Overview The connection between trauma, homelessness, and school success Stress vs. trauma The prevalence of trauma (ACEs Study) Impact of trauma The three elements of the School Success Framework and how they address the impact of trauma Highlighted strategies and examples for each element Review/Summary/Next Steps Where to go for more information

4 Making the Connection: Trauma, Homelessness, and School Success UNSTABLE STRESS/TRAUMA (possibly including abuse, neglect, family dysfunction) Competition for energy and attention Less available to learn

5 When Stress Becomes Toxic Everyone experiences stress. It is the level, frequency, and duration of stress that impacts a person s ability to develop and function normally. Positive Stress Tolerable Stress Toxic Stress Trauma is more than a negative or stressful experience. It encompasses feelings of helplessness and terror and has a severe and long-lasting impact. VIDEO from Harvard s Center on the Developing Child

6 The Prevalence of Trauma: ACEs Study Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are chronically stressful or traumatic experiences including: Abuse Neglect Family Dysfunction 25% of children experience at least 1 traumatic event by age 4. Adverse Childhood Experiences = Challenges in Adulthood When a child has 4 or more traumatic experiences, their risk for adult problems is more than double that of a person with three experiences and up to 12 times more likely than someone without any ACEs.

7 The Impact of Trauma Trauma symptoms are: Biological Psychological Social The world is not safe. I am not valuable. There is no order to the universe. Flooded nervous system Heightened state of arousal (anxiety) Changed brain architecture Depression Substance abuse Self-harming behaviors Dissociation Lack of appropriate boundaries Unhealthy relationships

8 The Impact of Trauma, Cont d. A Body s Reaction to Stress: Sympathetic Nervous System (gas pedal) Parasympathetic Nervous System (brake pedal) Healthy Nervous System: Normal Elevated Normal Elevated Traumatized Nervous System: Elevated Flooded Elevated Normal Flooded

9 Impact of Trauma in a School Setting

10 School Success Framework

11 Addressing the Impact of Trauma Addresses the feelings of helplessness and terror associated with trauma. Addresses the feelings of isolation, blame, distrust, shame, etc. associated with trauma Addresses the flooded nervous system and lack of coping and self-soothing skills associated with trauma.

12 Implementing the Three Elements ELEMENT STRATEGIES ACTIONS

13 Matrix of School Success Framework Strategies

14 Safe and Supportive Learning Environment PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL SOCIAL For example: Facilitate calm transitions Greet students at the door Ensure that hallways and classrooms are well-lit Maintain orderly bus loading, unloading, and travel processes Give verbal reassurance of safety For example: Show empathy (i.e. actively listen, avoid giving advice) Normalize the experience Help the student feel understood Use a strengths-based approach EXAMPLES OF POSITIVE STUDENT OUTCOMES For example: More regulated behavior (i.e. well-managed emotions) Trust and openness with teachers (i.e. asking for help) Willingness to take academic risks (i.e. speaking up in class) Seeing a connection between effort now and future outcomes (i.e. finding meaning in their school work) For example: Institute a student/adult or peer/peer mentorship program Teach or demonstrate what should be done Deliberately connect students to extracurricular activities Practice partnership, not Power; Avoid power/control struggles

15 Fostering Secure Attachments WHY: Healthy attachments help children learn to Regulate emotions and self-soothe Develop trust in others Explore their environment freely Understand themselves and others HOW: Make sure the student knows that he/she can go to you in a crisis Be patient and consistent Help the student set goals and create strategies for reaching those goals Stress inclusiveness and shared purpose Understand that they can have an impact on their world

16 Strengthening Non-Cognitive Skills Toxic Stress Normal Elevated Nervous System Flooded A student with a flooded nervous system may struggle to calm down, concentrate, and/or participate in class. Non-cognitive skills help students be available to learn by teaching them how to cope, engage, and selfsoothe. EXAMPLES FOR STRENGTHENING NON-COGNITIVE SKILLS: Help the student identify triggers and strategies Focus on strengths, not deficit Praise effort, not just outcomes Focus on should rather than should not Show students where/how they have control

17 Trauma-Sensitive Concepts in Action What does a trauma-sensitive school look like? VIDEO example: Head Start, Trauma Smart Listen and watch for references to some of the elements and strategies that we ve talked about.

18 Review/Summary Trauma is, unfortunately, quite prevalent. The impact of trauma is biological, psychological, social, and long-lasting. A trauma-sensitive approach is about thinking and responding differently and therefore, can be used by anyone. The School Success Framework aims to address the impact of trauma by using traumasensitive strategies in a school setting. The three elements of the School Success Framework are 1) creating a safe and supportive learning environment, 2) fostering secure attachments and 3) strengthening non-cognitive skills. The trauma-sensitive strategies of the School Success Framework can be implemented by individuals, by an entire school, and/or a school district.

19 Next Steps Trauma Sensitivity means replacing what is wrong with you? with what happened to you? While district-wide trauma-sensitive policies and practices are the ultimate goal, start with small changes that can make a big difference. Upon returning to your districts: Continue to familiarize yourself with the various strategies and actions listed on the School Success Framework matrix (hint: print it out and have it posted near your work space) Make a concerted effort to use at least one strategy during each interaction you have with a student or family in temporary housing (hint: identify the strategy - in your head - to hold yourself accountable) Facilitate knowledge building among others (hint(s): demonstrate through your own actions; insert trauma-sensitive language into advice you may give colleagues; incorporate the School Success Framework into your McKinney-Vento trainings) Consider providing trauma-sensitivity trainings to colleagues and other school district staff (hint: you can use this PPT and/or other materials that NYS-TEACHS provides)

20 Additional Resources and Information nysteachs.org Info By Topic Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for School Success

21 General Contact Information: NYS-TEACHS Hotline: Presenter Contact Information: Arija Linauts, Senior Program Associate For more information about trauma sensitivity as well as school success strategies for students in temporary housing, please visit: