Culture and Climate Programs

Childhood trauma is the experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.
- National Institute of Mental Health

 

Many Peoria County students have experienced trauma. Situations that may be traumatic include: abuse, abandonment, death of a loved one, a serious accident, witnessing violence, being bullied, incarceration of a loved one, life-threatening situations, etc.

 

Students who have experienced trauma may have behavioral or academic problems or their struggles may not be observable.

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Schools need to provide an environment where students feel safe and that they belong. This can be done through comprehensive learning supports that promote the necessary conditions for learning and address barriers to learning.​