Trauma Informed Care in Rural Communities

Trauma impacts populations in rural communities, especially racial and ethnic populations from immigrant and refugee communities. These populations have often experienced trauma in their home countries, in the immigration and resettlement process, and are exposed to ongoing risk factors such as poverty, housing insecurity, social exclusion, loss of cultural and linguistic social networks, and family chaos that put them at a higher risk for mental health and substance abuse disorders including trauma-related disorders. Rural communities experiencing an influx of immigrant children and their families are struggling to plan, provide, and improve services and supports for these populations. 

During this webinar, which is the first in a four-part Webinar series discusses behavioral health issues for children and families in rural areas, presenters demonstrate a model for trauma-informed healing and service delivery for rural populations that have experienced trauma and provides highlights from the perspective of health promotion and strengths-based approaches that support the natural resilience displayed by many refugees. Ingrid Donato opens the discussion with a brief history of trauma-informed care, how it applies to rural communities, and what SAMHSA is currently implementing with trauma-informed care. The webinar focuses on a discussion of a community that is implementing a trauma-informed model. In addition, Arabella Perez presents on the work being done in Maine through the systems of care.

Presenters: 

• Ingrid Donato, Mental Health Promotion Branch Chief, SAMHSA, Center for Mental Health Services, Division of Prevention, Traumatic Stress and Special Programs
• Arabella Perez, Executive Director, THRIVE Initiative in Maine

The Rural Behavioral Health Webinar Series 2012 is sponsored by the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, and the Mental Health Promotion Branch, Center for Mental Health Services, at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, the National TA Center for Children's Mental Health at Georgetown University, and the Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health.