What is Trauma? The word “trauma” is used to describe experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing, and that overwhelm people’s ability to cope, leaving them powerless. *Stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous world. *Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone can be traumatic, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. *It’s not the objective facts that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized.

Traumatic Incidents Impact Our Children TRAUMA IS DEFINED AS: deeply distressing or disturbing experience. **Any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone can be traumatic, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm

Exposure to Trauma can include: Domestic Violence Child Abuse Death in the Family House fire/Loss of Home Witnessing a Crime

What does trauma look like? AVOIDANCE *A child being isolated and away from the rest of his/her friends/peers *Keeping to themselves *Deep in thought/quiet

What does trauma look like? NEGATIVE MOOD *Short tempered *Acting out *Mad easily *Rebellious *The child’s ability to pay attention (memory) may be affected

What does trauma look like? NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS Example of a child who is acting out in class and may display signs of: Anxiety, irritability Self-harm Oppositional behaviors Hypervigilance Somatic / physical complaints Conduct problems exaggerated startle, difficulty concentrating Difficulties with emotional behavioral regulations (anger, tantrums, impulsivity aggression) Difficulties with physiological regulation (sleeping eating bowl/bladder function)

Stanislaus County Population: 525,491 Students: 106,126 School Districts: 26 Local LE Agencies: 6

Program Overview

F.O.C.U.S. (FOCUSING ON CHILDREN UNDER STRESS)

F.O.C.U.S. Notice A simple F.O.C.U.S. Notice Provides 1st Responders with the ability to alert the school that this child may have been involved in a traumatic incident recently and may have academic or behavioral problems today * No details are given * Just ONE simple word: “FOCUS”

First Responders send this sample notification form to the school for all school aged children (K-12)

What’s next?

Individual Academic Interventions Postpone testing Rest Rest Retest Postpone testing IEP (Individualized Education Plan) Retesting IEP

Individual Behavioral Interventions Get Ready Rooms Send to counselor instead of principal Acknowledge behaviors and teaching appropriate forms of expressions Relaxation therapy (deep breathing)

What if school interventions are not enough?

Community Resources Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Family Justice Center Boys & Girls Club Center for Human Services Sierra Vista, Aspira, & other private counselors *ARK (Art Restores Kids) Program *These are just some of the programs and services in our community

F O C U S Does not excuse bad behavior Children are still accountable for their actions F.O.C.U.S. seeks to provide students with tools and skills to appropriately respond in an acceptable manner *Use of profanity will not be acceptable/tolerated *Striking another child is not okay *Disobedience is not acceptable

F O C U S In Summary Helps to identify “at risk” children Provides teachers with a heads up Connects children with accessible mental health services if needed Strengthens collaboration between 1ST Responders, Prevention, and Education Programs.

Updates In October 2016 we presented at the 1st Handle With Care Conference in Charleston, West Virginia In November 2016 we presented at the CA Dept of Education School & Community Safety Advisory Committee In January 2017 we presented to Albuquerque Public Schools District in Albuquerque, New Mexico In July 2017 we will be presenting at the Safe Schools Conference in Garden Grove, CA

From April 2016 to July 31, 2018, we have received: 223 total referrals Impacting A total of 367 students

www.focuscalifornia.org

Success in school is success in life. In closing Success in school is success in life. Our goal is to have children succeed in school everyday to the best of their ability no matter the environment they live in!

Contact Information Maribel Garcia Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency Office: (209) 558-6300 Cell: (209) 450-6473 Fax: (209) 558-8714 Email: GarciaMb@stancounty.com George Papadopoulos Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency Office: (209) 558-6300 Cell: (209) 595-3474 Fax: (209) 558-8714 Email: george.papadopoulos@standa.org ail: