At least 60% of children in the Ohio child welfare system have experienced trauma

Ohio Agencies Target Childhood Trauma
Kuhlman, Mary. Public News Service-OH, Oct. 8, 2012.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Whether it's physical abuse, the loss of a parent or another disturbing event, traumatic experiences can leave a lasting imprint on a child's mental and physical health. In Ohio, efforts are underway to better help those affected by a traumatic event.

Franklin County Children Services just received a federal grant which their Director of Community Services, Kythryn Carr Hurd, says will allow them to better identify trauma up front and put the resources in place to treat victims.

"If we have a better assessment on the front end, then we can do a much better job at getting those kids linked to behavioral health care or other services that are going to improve their well-being and their ability to function and develop and grow."

Through the grant, the organization will examine ways to better screen children for trauma and figure out what type of trauma-informed practices and services will be most effective for the health and well-being of these children. The ultimate goal is to create a model that can be used by other child welfare agencies throughout the state.

Franklin County Children Services is one of nine agencies nationwide awarded the grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Executive director Chip Spinning says there is evidence the brain of a child who experiences trauma does not develop like that of a normal child. He says it's a critical matter to address, so these children can have successful outcomes in society.

"If we can't go back and correct some of this and get that brain development, then their ability to self-regulate and be successful in school and life is impeded."

Gayle Channing Tenenbaum with the Public Children Services Association says that, while child welfare agencies work to keep children safe and avoid traumatic experiences before they happen, sometimes it's too late. She says early intervention is the next best thing.

"If we can't prevent it, we have to intervene early so that not one single child is having flashbacks when they are 40 or has a personality that is split off and has diabetes or heart disease because of a traumatic experience when they were four years old."

An estimated 60 percent of children in the Ohio child welfare system have experienced trauma, and in the Juvenile Justice system it's 90 percent.