Los Angeles Calls for Trauma Informed Care

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today UMMA Community Clinic will host California Assembly member Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Sr. and community leaders to address the need for trauma informed care in health, education and public safety, particularly in deeply segregated communities.

Traumatic events impact more than just one's psychological well-being– the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led a survey in partnership with Kaiser Permanente on the impact of traumatic events occurring during childhood, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). They found such events increased health issues later on in life. Those who experienced multiple traumatic events had a shorter life expectancy. Dr. George McKenna of the Los Angeles School Board and Dr. Tonya Wood, of the California Psychological Association will discuss the ACE study as well as Post Traumatic "street" Disorder.

Located in South Los Angeles, UMMA Clinic's initial studies showed nearly 30% of surveyed adults had experienced more than one traumatic event during childhood. UMMA CEO and doctor of psychology, Dr. Miriam Y. Vega, will share UMMA's approach to trauma-informed care in a health setting to create healthier outcomes and build resilience, based on ongoing research and practice alongside Maryjane Puffer of the LA Trust, a non-profit that focuses on making health services accessible to school children in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

Today's briefing will include notable speakers such as Dr. Patricia Lester of UCLA's Semel Institute, Dr. Tyrone Howard of UCLA's Black Male Institute, and Pia Escudero of the LAUSD who will discuss how trauma-informed care is utilized in education.

Dr. Brenda Manuel of the LAUSD and Chief Steven Zipperman of the Los Angeles School Police Department will share how this approach is utilized in public safety.

The public briefing will mark the end of National Health Center week, a time when communities and health centers alike acknowledge the critical role that local health centers play in the communities they serve.

"We believe that one's life expectancy should not be determined by zipcode, and by using ACE data, we're working to change the narrative," Vega said. "We are hopeful that the hearing will encourage others to adopt a trauma-informed approach to human service."

For more information, please contact Adel Syed at [email protected]. To take the ACE survey, visit ACEStoohigh.com.

SOURCE UMMA Community Clinic

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