Establish School-Based Health Centers & Trauma-Informed Schools
Improve childhood physical and mental health:
- Establish School Based Health Centers:The creation of comprehensive school based health centers in the region should include access to mental health, case management and reproductive health. These centers keep kids in school (both by preventing illness and addressing behavioral health issues that lead to suspension and expulsion), in sports, in activities and help kids and families get their needs met. Lastly these centers in schools could be resources to help impact broader school health including health literacy, healthy eating and promotion of healthy activity for children and youth.
- Create trauma-informed schools and districts. Ensure evidenced-based trauma-informed training and support is offered to families, teachers and students. Build on and partner with the Alive and Well Campaign and include multiple other youth serving partners in the schools. This work could also help to improve rates of out of school suspensions and expulsions.
Model:https://traumasensitiveschools.org
Accountable Bodies: School Districts Philanthropic Community Child Serving Systems Missouri Congressional Delegation
Take Action
Change your environment
Build trauma-informed communities and spaces.
Support great school climates
While policy changes are important to changing the landscapes of our schools, it is only effective when paired with culture changes. Engage with your child’s school to facilitate a great school climate and culture for all students, teachers and administrators. This can take the form of attending PTA meetings, starting discussion groups with other parents, or…
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