EVERETT — The goal is ambitious: Understand and address the often-hidden trauma some Snohomish County children feel.
A group of 35 agencies, including schools, social services and law enforcement, has been pondering that challenge for several months.
This week the Children’s Wellness Coalition plans to turn planning into action with two days of discussion and training.
It includes a free 6 p.m. Tuesday screening of “Paper Tigers,” a movie about how a Walla Walla high school was able to help teachers guide struggling teens with dramatic results. After the movie, a panel discussion is planned. It will be led by the former principal of the school. That event will be at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave.
The following day includes discussions and lectures by Dr. Robert Macy from the International Trauma Center in Boston as well as Jim Sporleder, the former principal at Lincoln High School in Walla Walla. That event, which includes panel discussions, is sold out. The county eventually hopes to include video on the human services department website: snohomishcountywa.gov/1047/Children-Youth-Family.
Amanda Franke and Liza Patchen-Short see the events as a chance to make a difference in children’s lives. Franke works in behavioral health, and Patchen-Short as a children’s mental health liaison, for the county’s Human Services department.
They sat at the table with representatives from the dozens of other agencies trying to figure out how to work together to support kids across the county. They talked about gaps in services and what are called “trauma-informed practices” in schools that would help teachers identify the root problems causing students to act out.
That, said Patchen-Short, can shift the question away from “What’s wrong with our kids?” to “What has happened to them?”
Often, she added, when children are acting out, they are asking for help. The strategies can help all students and not just those who have experienced trauma, such as losing a friend, parents separating or anxiety from academic expectations at home.
The aim is to reduce suspensions and expulsions and increase graduation rates.
Franke and Patchen-Short have been encouraged by how eager local schools have been to get advice. A survey sent to schools and school districts found training and learning how to get more information were top priorities.
“We didn’t just want to have a one-day event and say, ‘Good luck. We are done,’” Franke said.
The county will be able to hook schools up with behavioral consultants thanks to a two-year grant. It will provide $100,000 a year.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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