Building a Trauma Informed System of Care Toolkit

Building a Trauma Informed System of Care Every Community Needs a System of Care

• SAMHSA, along with other reputable research sources, confirm that having experienced ACEs predicts substance misuse. Any type of addiction (e.g., alcohol misuse, prescription drug misuse, illicit substance misuse, smoking) is likely to have its roots in experienced trauma. Efforts to prevent underage drinking or drug use may not be effective unless ACEs are addressed as a contributing factor. Underage drinking prevention programs need to help youth recognize and cope with stressors of abuse, household dysfunction, and other adverse experiences. The likelihood of a teen smoking increases with higher ACEs scores is predictive of continued tobacco use during adulthood. According to a 2017 study of adverse childhood experiences and adolescent prescription drug use, the rate of prescription drug abuse among youth increased considerably for every additional ACE experienced. 1 • Roos et al. (2013) states that many cities across the nation consistently report growing numbers of those who are homeless. They found that adverse childhood experiences are substantially overrepresented in homeless population samples, and a history of childhood adversity has been related to particularly poor outcomes among homeless individuals. Trauma informed care training is an essential tool for service providers to better assist those who are homeless. 2 Presenting material such as that above, has effectively mobilized the area around Johnson City, Tennessee. Passion is one ingredient that has never been lacking here and it has fueled the urgency for “why” professionals need to be educated about the effects of childhood trauma and potential means to address those effects. As leaders from diverse professions have come to understand what childhood trauma predicts, and how its effects can be mitigated, this message has been embraced wholeheartedly and with much zeal shared to others.

1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763992/

2 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258034008_Relationship_Between_Adverse_Child hood_Experiences_and_Homelessness_and_the_Impact_of_Axis_I_and_II_Disorders

12