School districts across the state (and country) are working to find ways to become more trauma-aware, trauma-sensitive, and trauma-responsive. Many have started the process by implementing a variety of programs and practices school-wide from Restorative Justice to Capturing Kids' Hearts. Others are making small changes, one classroom at a time. All of it is good work – and the best way to make it sustainable is to have a written plan developed by leaders at all levels within the school or district that includes input from students and their families. There are a number of frameworks out there for schools to consider and use to determine what works best for your students and community. For those who might be interested, here are two resources we have found useful, in addition to those posted in the Resource Section of the Kansas ACEs Connection website:

• The Trauma-Informed School by Jim Sporleder & Heather T. Forbes
• Fostering Resilient Learners by Kristin Souers with Pete Hall

 To paraphrase Dr. Sandra Bloom, creator of the Sanctuary Model for TIC, trying to implement trauma-specific {classroom} practices without first implementing trauma-informed organizational culture change is like throwing seeds on dry land. Teachers who are most successful in fostering resilient students are those that work in a trauma-responsive school. The same is true for schools within a district and districts within a community who work to prevent adversity and build trauma-responsive systems. We can’t do this hard work alone and we all need someone there to support us when we need it most. Our students, families, and futures depend on it.

If you are interested in talking more with our team about ways we might support your school district, email me at vanessa.lohf@wichita.edu or just reply to this post.