2018 Awareness Day Final Report AD2018_FinalReport_FINAL | Page 5

Creating Trauma-Informed Child Welfare Services and Systems
Data show that children have experienced significantly
more traumatic events upon entering the child welfare
system. Expert panelists at Awareness Day 2018 cited
cases where children had been exposed to many
traumatic circumstances.
According to SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic
Stress Network (NCTSN), early trauma can
compromise a child’s ability to understand and
regulate their emotions; develop trust with others;
and can even produce cognitive deficits that interfere
with the child’s ability to learn, progress in school, and
succeed in the classroom and the community (and
later in the workplace).
However, examples of recovery and resilience were
numerous, as were the many resources that exist
to support parents and caregivers as they work to
support the children in their care.
Both of Valerie VanAuker’s children were adopted from
the child welfare system, and navigating their needs
wasn’t easy. She explained at the national event that
the turning point for her came by connecting with
a family-run organization, “where they supported
families, and walked with them, not for them,” says
VanAuker.
On the federal level, the Family First Prevention
Services Act reforms the federal child welfare
financing streams to provide services to families who
are at risk of entering the child welfare system. This
act aims to prevent children from entering foster care
by expanding federal reimbursement for mental health
services, substance use treatment, and in-home
parent skills training.
“This could be a game changer, particularly in families
that are affected by opioid use disorder,” according
to Steve Wagner, Acting Assistant Secretary of the
Administration for Children and Families.
“It’s very important for foster parents to understand what trauma is and what behaviors come from that trauma,
and also how to react to them. It takes everyone that interacts with the child … teachers … the community …
everyone to know about trauma-informed care.”
— LINDA DAUGAARD, First Lady of South Dakota
YORUK TRIBE: Artwork created by youth for Awareness Day.
PARTNERING FOR HEALTH AND HOPE FOLLOWING TRAUMA
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