TLPI convened a legislative briefing where students from Massachusetts High Schools shared with legislators what they need from their schools in order to learn and do well. The students’ comments make a powerful argument for why we need to include their voice in education reform efforts.
Citizens for Juvenile Justice has released a policy report “Missed Opportunities: Preventing Youth in the Child Welfare System from Entering the Juvenile Justice System”. The report describes the role that trauma from adverse experiences can play in the learning and behavior challenges that are associated with increased risk for juvenile delinquency among children in the child welfare system. The report also highlights Massachusetts’ Safe and Supportive Schools law as a policy that has potential for helping to prevent students in the child welfare system from entering the juvenile justice system by fostering the creation of stable and supportive school communities.
On September 14, the Ferguson Commission released its final report highlighting the need for schools to understand the impact of trauma on students and cites TLPI’s work as a model.
In a new report, the Children’s Law Center of Washington, D.C. calls for the implementation of trauma-sensitive schools to support students. “Education reforms in the District will not fully succeed if schools do not address the trauma that students bring with them to class,” said Judith Sandalow, Executive Director of Children’s Law Center.
“Safe, Healthy and Ready to Learn”, a new policy report from Futures Without Violence calls for sufficient funding to dramatically increase the creation and expansion of trauma-sensitive schools.
The American Bar Association (ABA) is calling for legal representation that recognizes the impact of trauma and “reflects an awareness of trauma’s adverse impacts on children and youth in contact with the legal system.” It calls for collaboration to facilitate and support recovery. TLPI’s Education law clinic approach was highlighted as part of the solution.
Last December, TLPI joined leaders convened by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to discuss ways to expand national awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and methods to promote prevention and healing. Everyone is encouraged to read this important report from the Proceedings of the National Collaborative on Adversity and Resilience (NCAR).