A nationwide congressional education and engagement campaign launches Feb. 11, 2020, to support advocates who want strong federal efforts to prevent and address childhood trauma and build resiliency among individuals, families and communities.
The Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) initiated this grassroots campaign with a goal of getting congressional offices to support policies, programs, legislation and funding that prevent and address childhood trauma and build resilience. This national campaign is based on the work of numerous state and local initiatives focused on putting powerful scientific discoveries about trauma to work.
CTIPP invites all interested national organizations and networks, state and local coalitions, and any individuals who are aligned with the campaign goal to participate.
CTIPP was created in 2016 with the mission create a resilient, trauma-informed society where all individuals, families and communities have the opportunity and support needed to thrive. This new campaign to educate and engage every Congressional member is critical to achieve the mission.
“This campaign intends to unleash the groundswell of supporters who want federal policy to align with the science and research on toxic stress, trauma and adversity,” said Sandra Bloom, M.D., president of CTIPP and world-renowned pioneer in the field of trauma-informed care and creating trauma-responsive systems. “There is growing interest in Congress to apply this strong evidence to emerging policy on trauma-informed approaches because it both benefits children and families and generates significant savings through prevention and treatment of childhood trauma and its multiple problematic effects across the lifespan.”
The grassroots campaign supports local and state leaders in opening a line of regular communication with congressional offices to:
- Provide evidence from the science and research on childhood trauma
- Share information about trauma initiatives within congressional districts and states, and
- Partner to create policies and pass legislation that promote healthy and resilient communities.
The impetus for the campaign came from representatives from CTIPP, the Building Community Resilience Network and Saint Francis Ministries, following the historic, bipartisan congressional hearing on childhood trauma in July 2019, and in response to the need expressed by congressional officials who are champions for this issue.
The campaign is open to anyone to participate in its calls to action. In addition, campaign organizers are recruiting volunteer Local Liaisons who will work with every House and Senate office to share information and introduce the office to the growing number of community-based efforts happening in or near their districts and states that are making a difference.
Visit CTIPP.org/nationaltraumacampaign for in-depth news about the campaign, including comprehensive information about ACEs, trauma-informed care, and the financial impact of trauma.
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