Trauma Informed Perspectives

Experienced teacher with a demonstrated history of working in the disability, education, hospital & health care industry. Skilled in Trauma, NEAR (Neurobiology, Epigentics, ACEs, and Resilience) Science, Nonprofit Organizations, Mentoring, Coaching, Team Building, and IDD/ Mental Illness, and Advocacy. Bachelor's degree focused in Sociology, English and Religion from Cornell College. Member of the PACEs Connection Speakers Bureau, Ancor member. I am a certified Mandt, CPR, and BLS trainer. Six years ago my son asked me to take in one of his classmates who had been unhoused. In trying to assist him in navigating his mental health, abuse history, the schools, his reactions to being labor trafficked, and the justice system; I realized I had also experienced trauma beginning many years before. I learned about trauma first hand, and then went back and did the research. I teach with stories, and the perspective of someone who has experienced trauma, and supported people who have experienced severe trauma. In 1991, I opened the first two 24 hour Medicaid waiver funded homes in Missouri. I was a 23 year old house manager who didn't know what to do as chairs flew through the house, let alone how to support those living there, and the staff trying to support them. I later found out that 80-90% of people with disabilities have experienced trauma. That is compared to about one in three of the general population. 59% of staff who support people have experienced childhood trauma, and 40-85% of staff supporting people with disabilities experience secondary trauma in the workplace. I moved into the position of staff trainer for staff that support people with disabilities. I I also accepted the job of Children's Minister at my church. I left to support my father in law on hospice in my home. I took a job as the associate director of an agency that supported 45 people with extensive behavior and medical needs in 17 community homes. I have had eight young adults