“A traumatic event can seriously interrupt the school routine and the processes of teaching and learning. There are usually high levels of emotional upset, potential for disruptive behavior, or loss of student attendance unless efforts are made to reach out to students and staff with additional information and services. Students traumatized by exposure to violence have been shown to have lower grade point averages, more negative remarks in their cumulative records, and more reported absences from school than other students. They may have increased difficulties concentrating and learning at school and may engage in unusually reckless or aggressive behavior.”
-National Child Traumatic Stress Network
-National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Seneca is proud to collaborate with the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute on an exciting research project focused on improving the quality of care for youth who have experienced interpersonal trauma. The Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) field trial study aims to expand trauma-related services for children by developing a diagnostic picture that more accurately captures the cluster of symptoms that we see in children who have experienced complex and chronic trauma. Youth who struggle with multiple, recurring traumatic exposures comprise the largest group of clients served by our agency. In working directly with these children, Seneca has learned that trauma can often present as depression, anxiety, truancy, behavioral disorders, social skill deficits, learning disorders, drug abuse, hyperactivity, or behavioral regression. Yet at this time, no diagnosis exists that appropriately reflects the range of social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms for children who have experienced complex trauma. As a result, children affected by trauma are often misdiagnosed which leads to ineffective and, in some cases, harmful treatments. The DTD diagnosis will provide practitioners and clinicians with a framework to understand and treat underlying causes rather than emphasizing problem elimination and behavioral control without considering the function of the behavior.
The All In! Partnership Project’s commitment to unconditional education includes advocating for a greater understanding of the role that trauma plays in the lives of our students and families. The All In! clinical team works closely with schools to establish a trauma-informed school culture - one that recognizes the prevalence of trauma in our communities, understands the connection between trauma and a child’s presentation, addresses potential triggers in the environment that can activate a child who has experienced trauma, and responds by acknowledging that the behaviors represent a trauma-based survival strategy. All In! views the collaboration with The Justice Resource Institute as an opportunity to further the mission of educating communities about the impact of trauma on children and implementing best practices regarding care and treatment. We would like to recognize Kate Kenealy and Jessica Welsh, members of our clinical team who are volunteering their time to gather data for the DTD field trial study.
The All In! Partnership Project’s commitment to unconditional education includes advocating for a greater understanding of the role that trauma plays in the lives of our students and families. The All In! clinical team works closely with schools to establish a trauma-informed school culture - one that recognizes the prevalence of trauma in our communities, understands the connection between trauma and a child’s presentation, addresses potential triggers in the environment that can activate a child who has experienced trauma, and responds by acknowledging that the behaviors represent a trauma-based survival strategy. All In! views the collaboration with The Justice Resource Institute as an opportunity to further the mission of educating communities about the impact of trauma on children and implementing best practices regarding care and treatment. We would like to recognize Kate Kenealy and Jessica Welsh, members of our clinical team who are volunteering their time to gather data for the DTD field trial study.
We are still looking for study participants!
If you are working with families that may be interested, or if YOU and your child want to participate, please contact:
Robyn Ganeles, Project Coordinator
(510) 648-4891 or robyn_ganeles@senecacenter.org
Please click the images below for additional resources:
- Who can participate? Any child between the ages of 8-17 and his/her legal guardian.
- The child DOES NOT need to have experienced a traumatic life event.
- The child DOES NOT have to present with symptoms of trauma to participate.
- The child DOES NOT have to be enrolled in a Seneca program. In fact, Seneca employees and their children are also invited to participate!
- What is required? A 2-3 hour interview with both child and caregiver about stressful life events and the child’s responses to stress. Interviews can take place in the home or at a Seneca office in Oakland. If the child is unable to complete the interview, or refuses to participate, that’s ok as long as we are able to complete the caregiver interview.
- What are the benefits of participating? Family will receive a $50 VISA gift card per child & may request assessment results.
If you are working with families that may be interested, or if YOU and your child want to participate, please contact:
Robyn Ganeles, Project Coordinator
(510) 648-4891 or robyn_ganeles@senecacenter.org
Please click the images below for additional resources:
Blog post written by:
Robyn Ganeles, Assistant Director of Clinical Intervention Services
Robyn Ganeles, Assistant Director of Clinical Intervention Services
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