Illinois State Senators Sen. Morrison and Sen. Ellman recently introduced SR99, Trauma-Informed Awareness Day, citing the Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative’s report on the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.

The resolution states 1) that policy decisions enacted by the state legislature should take into account early childhood brain development and the concepts of toxic stress, early adversity, and buffering relationships; 2) that May 15th will be Trauma-Informed Awareness Day, and 3) officers, agencies, and employees of the State of Illinois whose responsibilities impact children and adults should learn about ACEs, toxic stress, and structural violence, as well as about trauma-informed care practices that promote healing and resiliency. The full text of the resolution can be found here.

The Collaborative and Health & Medicine are excited to inform Sen. Morrison and Ellman’s resolution as part of our ongoing work to put the issues of trauma and resilience on the forefront of the equity agenda in Illinois.