2018 Awareness Day Final Report AD2018_FinalReport_FINAL | Page 3

DR. ELINORE MCCANCE-KATZ giving opening remarks.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II delivered
remarks at the event, pointing out that “Communities across our nation are implementing
trauma-informed approaches to better respond to the needs of children and their families.
Everyone can chip in to this effort: mental health and primary health providers, teachers,
coaches, mentors, neighbors, faith leaders . . . everybody.”
Due to their involvement in child and youth mental health and trauma-informed care,
18 governors’ spouses and the executive director of the National Congress of American
Indians (NCAI) served as Honorary Chairpersons. NCAI represents Tribal nations across the
country.
Systems of Care Work for
Individuals Who Have Experienced Trauma
The data demonstrating the effectiveness of systems of care tell a powerful and important story:
Children who experience trauma and receive treatment through the system of care approach show
significant improvements in their behavioral and emotional health and school functioning .
78 SUICIDE ATTEMPTS Reduced 78 percent 22
48 SCHOOL ABSENCES %
%
%
by children and youth
Reduced 48 percent
%
41
INTERNALIZING SYMPTOMS
such as withdrawing from others
and being anxious or depressed
Reduced 22 percent
“We know that systems of care models work for young people
with serious emotional disturbances and their families.
Providing comprehensive, coordinated wraparound services
that address the whole child and the whole family and that
involve schools and juvenile justice systems, along with
others, is a proven strategy.”
— DR. ELINORE MCCANCE-KATZ, Assistant Secretary for
Mental Health and Substance Use
A trauma-informed approach in California’s
Bay Area made all the difference in developing
community trust and participation. At Trauma-
Transformed, the system of care staff no longer
focus solely on behavioral health. Instead, they
also address physical health and emotional health,
and in doing so strengthen individual and family
resilience in response to trauma.
IMPROVED SCHOOL
PERFORMANCE
Increased 41 percent
Learn more about Trauma Transformed.
PARTNERING FOR HEALTH AND HOPE FOLLOWING TRAUMA
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