Supporting Children and Families After Traumatic Events
For more than a century, the running of the Boston Marathon each spring on Patriot's Day has symbolized strength, determination, accomplishment, celebration, tradition, and community for runners, neighbors, sponsors, and supporters from all over the world. The bombings at the Marathon on April 15 were scary, shocking, and entirely unexpected. Our sympathies are with all affected, and our condolences go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. Our hopes for recovery are with the people who were injured and their families and friends. Our gratitude goes out to the first responders, medical personnel, staff, volunteers, and citizens who acted with skill and speed to care for people who were injured.
Tragic events such as this leave people feeling sad, angry, out of control, overwhelmed, and unsafe - common responses to trauma which can cause profound suffering and may lead to life-altering responses. Trauma involves witnessing or experiencing violence or significant events that are outside the realm of usual or ordinary experiences. The events at the Marathon, like any trauma, can threaten one's sense of safety and invoke intense feelings of helplessness and terror. Traumatic events overwhelm ordinary systems that give people a sense of control, connection, and meaning. As traumatic experiences accumulate, the physiological and psychological impact becomes more profound, sometimes resulting in neurobiological changes.
Adults and children who have witnessed or experienced traumatic events may have extreme and ongoing stress responses. This may include feeling anxious and agitated, having difficulty sleeping or eating, feeling angry, and/or feeling detached and withdrawing from relationships. Those who hear about traumatic events or watch scenes on television may also be impacted. Children may be especially vulnerable and require adults and caregivers to help them re-establish a sense of safety. Children may demonstrate behavioral problems, trouble sleeping, clinginess and fear of separating from parents, or difficulty in school. Family members, caregivers, and service providers all play a role in helping children feel safe, secure, and assisting them in dealing with traumatic events.
Despite the horror of the Marathon bombings, people are resilient. In the face of the most overwhelming tragedies, people display amazing courage, strength, and ability to bounce back. It may take time, but recovery is possible, especially with support from family, friends, and significant others. In 2006, The National Center on Family Homelessness developed a resource, Understanding Traumatic Stress in Children, to support those caring for or working with children. Understanding Traumatic Stress in Children describes the most common developmental effects of trauma and suggests ways for caregivers to help children heal. Short and long-term strategies outlined include establishing safety, creating and maintaining a routine, recognizing triggers, identifying safe people, connecting with the child's support network, and referring to appropriate community agencies for additional support. Click here for more information.
The National Center on Family Homelessness extends our support to children and families coping with and recovering from trauma. Our thoughts are with our neighbors in Boston and everyone who was affected by the events at the Marathon.
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 Project Update: Healing Hearts, Promoting Health
Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Healing Hearts, Promoting Health addresses the trauma and related nutrition, health, and wellness challenges of recently displaced families and children with focus on Haitian earthquake evacuees in Southern Florida. The main goal is to improve the health and well-being of displaced families and children by equipping second responders with concrete tools and strategies. This week, staff from The National Center are in Miami working with community organizations on the implementation of trauma-informed, culturally appropriate programs and practices. Learn more.
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| President's Budget Proposal Released
Last week, the President released his budget proposal for FY 2014. The priorities reflected are similar to previous proposals: jobs, education, manufacturing, clean energy, infrastructure, and small business. Overall, most federal agencies would see small increases in funding compared to FY 2013. The proposal gives some increases to homeless programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. However, level funding is proposed for other programs, such as the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program at the U.S. Department of Education and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The release of the President's budget proposal focuses the debate in Washington on funding for the next fiscal year and is the first of many steps in Congress before funding decisions are signed into law. View the President's budget and a fact sheet from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
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Upcoming Events and Action Alerts
Join Kathleen Guarino, Director of Training, on April 25 at the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness Conference: Housing for All - Community, Collaboration, and Change. Register here.
Attend the 8th Annual Young Children Without Homes National Conference from May 20-21 at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. Learn more and register today.
Join t3 (think. teach. transform.) for Beyond the Basics: Advancing Your Motivational Interviewing Skills. This five-week course begins on May 22. Learn more and register today.
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