Trauma Resilience Understanding & Education True Center Inc

ALTHOUGH NO POPULATION IS IMMUNE TO THE EXPERIENCE OF TRAUMA OR ITS EFFECTS, CHILDREN OF COLOR ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE TRAUMA. IN D.C., WHERE THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN ARE OF COLOR (US CENSUS BUREAU), 47% OF YOUTH HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA. THIS IS CLOSE TO TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. THE RATE OF TRAUMA EXPOSURE IS ALSO HIGH FOR D.C.'S NEIGHBORS, AT 41% FOR BOTH MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA. FOR FAMILIES OF COLOR, AS HOUSEHOLD INCOME GOES UP, THE RISK OF EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE TRAUMAS GOES DOWN, MEANING THAT THE CHILDREN WITH THE FEWEST FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF EXPERIENCING TRAUMA. FURTHER, LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES OF COLOR AND RECENT IMMIGRANTS ARE LIKELY TO HAVE THE MOST BARRIERS TO ACCESSING AND AFFORDING NEEDED SERVICES. THE DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF CHILDREN OF COLOR WHO EXPERIENCE TRAUMA IS LINKED TO STRUCTURAL RACISM, IN WHICH SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS WORK TOGETHER TO OPPRESS BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND TO FURTHER RACIAL INEQUITIES. TRUE CENTER ASPIRES TO REDUCE DISPARITIES BY WORKING TO MAKE TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE CHILDREN WHO NEED THEM MOST. TRUE CENTER'S PLANNED PROGRAMS INCLUDE CHILD AND FAMILY THERAPY, MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT SERVICES, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND CHILD-SERVING PROFESSIONALS. AS A NEW ORGANIZATION, PRIMARY PROGRAM-RELATED ACTIVITIES IN FY22 CONSISTED OF DEVELOPING OUR PROGRAMS: IDENTIFYING AND RESEARCHING PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS, ASSESSING RESOURCES, AND PREPARING THE MATERIALS NEEDED TO BEGIN PROVIDING SERVICES. THE BOARD CONSULTED WITH PROFESSIONALS, DEVELOPED APPROPRIATE TOPICS FOR EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, AND IDENTIFIED A TIMELINE FOR STARTING DIRECT SERVICES. ALTHOUGH NO DIRECT SERVICES WERE PROVIDED DURING THIS PREPARATORY/DEVELOPMENT YEAR, PRELIMINARY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES BEGAN IN THE FORM OF TRAUMA- AND PARENTING-RELATED EDUCATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.