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Services Support Trauma-Informed Schools and Communities

Now more than ever, it's important to recognize the impact of trauma on our students and families and help them become more resilient. See below for ways we are helping our region navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
 
 
 
CIU 20 Partners with Regional Agencies on
Resilient Lehigh Valley Initiative
 
 
 
 
"Creating Calm, Together" is an online resource full of easy to use, ready-to-go, lesson plans, videos and activity guides to promote social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, like emotional regulation, mindfulness and perspective-taking. The comprehensive initiative was created Resilient Lehigh Valley with regional partners: Lehigh University, Shanthi Project, Wildlands Conservancy, Colonial IU 20, Carbon Lehigh 21 and United way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Resilient Lehigh Valley is a cross-sector, collective-impact effort dedicated to increasing youth resiliency through creating a trauma-informed and resilient community. Check out the Creating Calm, Together website to learn more and utilize the mindfulness and SEL resources for educators, parents, and students.
 
 
 
 
 
CIU 20 Increases Trauma Certified Staff
 
 
 
Several new staff members have become certified as Trauma Competent Professionals through the Lakeside Global Institute. Lakeside uses the following diverse curriculum to teach trauma competencies: Clinician Administered PTSD Scales (CAPS), literature by experts in the field, and experiential learning. The cohort took a deep dive into the many facets of trauma and its impact on our communities. Participants were encouraged to engage in self-exploration and foster resilience through relationships as they navigated through the global pandemic.
 
Colonial IU 20’s participation in this and other cohorts affords the organization and its member districts access to valuable resources and training for school communities in the trauma-informed journey. Resilient Lehigh Valley was awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to offset the expenses for this training initiative. Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 has partnered with the United Way / Resilient Lehigh Valley since its initial Trauma-Informed Schools Train-the-Trainer Series in 2016.
 
 
 
Trauma-Informed Care Series Continues
 
 
 
Trauma-Informed Schools are prepared to realize, recognize, and respond to individuals who have experienced trauma. Colonial IU 20 has provided trauma-informed schools training to Bethlehem Area SD, the Career Institute of Technology, Delaware Valley SD, Easton Area SD, Pen Argyl SD, Pleasant Valley SD, Pocono Mountain SD, Wilson Area SD, Saucon Valley SD, and other LEAs in and outside of our catchment area.
 
Through this series of four trainings, educators learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences, the tiered, systematic approach to trauma sensitive schools/classrooms and how relationships are the key to resilient school communities when faced with traumatic experiences. CIU 20 has adapted the training to be fully virtual as necessary.
 
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