News and Updates

Trauma-Sensitive Schools Research Study Snapshot

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We  are pleased to share with you a summary of the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (TLPI) Trauma-Sensitive Schools Descriptive Study. This two-year study by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) provides new evidence that an understanding of trauma sensitivity can lead to changes in practice and new ways of interacting with both students and with fellow staff members. In turn these new ways of thinking and changes in practice can serve as a foundation for school-wide culture change that enables students and their educators to feel safe and supported to learn and be successful. 

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Act Now! Safe and Supportive Schools

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The House Ways and Means budget was released this week and the line item for Safe and Supportive Schools includes $400,000.  Representative Ruth Balser has filed a  budget amendment for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) to increase funding to $500,000. This will restore funding to last year’s level. We are writing with an URGENT request to please email your MA Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor Representative Balser’s amendment!

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TLPI Video: Impact of Trauma on Learning Part 3: Relationships

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In this post, we are excited to share the third in our three part series of short videos on the impacts of trauma on learning, classroom behavior, and relationships. One of the most important roles schools can play in the lives of students is helping them to have good relationships with peers and adults. Research indicates that positive student-teacher relationships can help increase academic engagement and performance. But for students impacted by traumatic experiences, forming and maintaining relationships with their peers and with the adults around them can be challenging.  To learn more, please view the video below.

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Budget amendment for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item adopted by the MA Senate

Image of Massachusetts State House.

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Senator Sal DiDomenico’s budget amendment (# 171) for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) was adopted by the MA Senate. The amendment increased the amount of funding for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item to $600,000, the same amount included in the House budget this year.  This will allow more schools and districts to receive grants to create and implement Safe and Supportive Schools Action Plans. The amendment also incorporated important language changes that were included by the House and that would implement recommendations made by the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission, such as providing leadership summits to help support superintendents and principals to create safe and supportive schools.

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Act Now for the Safe and Supportive Schools Line Item!

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The Senate Ways and Means budget was released this week and the line item for Safe and Supportive Schools includes $500,000.  Senator Sal DiDomenico has filed a  budget amendment (# 171) for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612). Senator DiDomenico’s amendment would increase the amount of funding for the line item to $600,000, the same amount included in the House budget this year.  This will allow more schools and districts to receive grants to create and implement Safe and Supportive Schools Action Plans.

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Second Annual DESE Conference: Safe and Supportive Learning Environments: Bringing Together Social, Emotional Learning, Trauma Sensitivity, & Positive Behavioral Approaches, March 23.

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The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE), in collaboration with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Collaborative for Educational Services, and Massachusetts Advocates for Children’s Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (MAC/TLPI), is hosting the second annual conference on Safe and Supportive Schools. The conference will be held on March 23 in Worcester, MA.

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