Anyone who works in schools knows that too many of our young people exhibit evidence of pending emotional, behavioral, social, and academic problems.  Often these students are labeled with learning disabilities or Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or considered to be "problem children" who simply need to "control" their own behavior.  What many people may not know is that many of these symptoms are actually manifestations of childhood trauma and the effects of exposure to violence. It's not a question of a young person failing to control his or her own behavior - it's a question of adults recognizing the signs of larger issues, and respond accordingly.  

The Federation for Community Schools invites you to join us in a dialogue exploring childhood trauma and the ways in which community schools can be structured to best support students that are exhibiting the effects.  Jeff Levy, LCSW, CTRS, clinical social worker and expert in child trauma, will discuss how children experience trauma, the differences between acute and chronic trauma and how both can affect a young person's development. Following his presentation we will hear from a panel of individuals working in community schools who have each utilized different intervention strategies to help ameliorate the effects of trauma on children and adolescents.  Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how trauma and exposure to violence affects young people, be better able to recognize symptoms and signs of trouble and to understand their potential origins, and learn strategies for organizing school and community resources to best respond to students who are suffering from the effects of trauma. 

Registration is required. Space is limited and registration will close when we reach capacity.

The Network is a forum for school coordinators to share ideas and experiences, ask questions and get answers from their peers, as well as have a centralized online location to find resources and tools.  Some community schools initiatives have many coordinators to support one another, others may only have a few; either way this network provides a space to make connections so that no one has to reinvent the wheel and folks can learn from each other.  Join the network to share your work, to hear what others are doing and to help grow this robust network of coordinators. 

Do you belong in the Network?

Do you work in a Community School? Do you act as a coordinator, manager, or liaison responsible for managing school-community partnerships?  If yes, then you should become a member of this network.