Description: In both public and private settings there is an ever-increasing focus on trauma and adverse childhood experiences. This awareness has energized cities, groups, organizations and schools to move to be more trauma aware/trauma sensitive. Unfortunately, however, all too often conversations about trauma are downstream focused – they focus merely on providing treatment for survivors or prevention. However, those who advocate for trauma informed policies, procedures and practices see this as an upstream strategy that requires more than treatment. Instead to be trauma informed involves a commitment to addressing adverse community environments; and focusing on equity and justice.
Bio: Karen Crawford Simms is an experienced consultant, trainer, facilitator and coach. She has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has spent over 30 years advocating for individuals and families who have been marginalized because of ethnicity, gender, health, or socioeconomic status. She’s the founder Trauma & Resilience Initiative, Inc. a not for profit that coordinates the Community Violence Response effort in Champaign County and coordinates the CU Trauma & Resilience Initiative which is a part of the Champaign County Community Coalition. The goals of these efforts are to reduce the impact of adverse community experiences by healing and repairing those who have been impacted by trauma; and to advocate for more trauma informed practices, policies and principles.
Karen is committed to helping organizations, schools, groups and communities implement policies procedures and practice that engender feelings of safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, power sharing, empowerment, equality, and justice.
This lecture is part of the Fall 2019 Friday Forum Lecture Series, “Womxn Rise Up.” To learn more about the Fall 2019 Friday Forum Lecture series, visit: universityymca.org/friday-forum
