DISASTER RESPONSE: CHILDREN AND TRAUMA AN OVERVIEW FOR CHILD-CARE PROVIERS
LEARNING AGREEMENTS • Take breaks when you need • Move, fidget, stand, breathe to self-regulate
• Take Space – Make Space • Be aware of your triggers
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TRAINING GOALS • What is trauma? • How to recognize trauma? • Strategies to help a child cope with trauma after a disaster? | TRAUMA INFORMED CAREGIVING | YMCA CHILDCARE RESOURCE SERVICE |
WHAT IS TRAUMA? An emotional response to an event
that threatens or causes harm. .
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TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS • Natural disasters • Acts or threats of terrorism (viewed in person or on
television) • Witnessing or experiencing community violence (mass
shootings, stabbings, robbery,)
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TYPES OF TRAUMA • Chronic • Complex
• Historical • Acute
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ACUTE A single traumatic event that is time limited.
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EFFECTS OF TRAUMA ON CHILDREN Kids and Teens may show the following signs:
Age 0-5 • Fear • Cling • Cry, Scream or Whimper • Regress in behaviors
Age 6-11 • • • •
Lose interest Nightmares Irritable or Angry Depressed
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Age 12-17 • • • • •
Flashbacks Nightmares Substance Abuse Disconnected Have physical complaints
CHILDREN’S RESPONSE TO TRAUMA A child’s response to trauma will vary depending on • Age and developmental stage • Temperament • Perception of the danger faced • Trauma history and the families trauma history
• Availability of adults who can offer help, reassurance, and protection | TRAUMA INFORMED CAREGIVING | YMCA CHILDCARE RESOURCE SERVICE |
Adjustment over time in a crisis situation
2014 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
THE ROLE OF EARLY CARE PROGRAMS? Child care can be a vital support service
1. How do you or would you work with a child you’ve had
in your care who has experienced a traumatic event?
2. What do you think your work with that child means to that family?
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WHAT TO DO
Tip 1: Minimize media exposure
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Tip 2: Engage the child
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Sesame Street Gets Through a Storm
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TIP 3: Encourage physical activity
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TIP 4 Feed children a healthy diet
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Tip 5 Rebuild trust and safety
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WHEN DO YOU REFER FOR HELP? • When reactions are severe (such as intense hopelessness or fear) • When fears go on for a long time
(more than one month)
and
interfere with a child’s functioning
• Severity can be difficult to determine—with some children becoming avoidant or appearing to be fine
(e.g., a child who
performs well academically no matter what)
• Don’t feel you have to be certain before making a referral. a mental health professional evaluate the child’s need for intervention.
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Let
TIPS FOR PROVIDERS
1. Be aware of the signs 2. Don’t go it alone 3. Seek help with your own traumas 4. Attend to self care
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MINDFULNESS
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THANK YOU! Please complete evaluation forms Access CRS for more resources at ymca.org/crs
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