On May 24, 2017, CSCH co-sponsored and hosted “Symposium on Trauma-Informed School Mental Health.” Approximately 100 school, mental health, and community leaders from across the state gathered at the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs to discuss childhood trauma and the impact it can have on a child’s education, as well as possible strategies for responding to children who have experienced trauma or have behavioral health issues.

The event was the result of collaboration between the University of Connecticut Collaboratory on School and Child Health and the Neag School of Education, the Capitol Region Education Council, the CT State Department of Education, the Ana Grace Project, Clifford Beers Clinic, and the Child Health Development Institute. The symposium’s main goals were to increase awareness among participants of important issues in childhood trauma, discuss creation of a common framework for addressing trauma, violence and mental health needs among children, and to stimulate the development of a trauma-informed school mental health plan.