How can I help my school become more trauma-informed?

Nationwide, including in NYC, more than 1 in 4 students have been exposed to some form of trauma, with students of color and students living in poverty disproportionately impacted. Over the last few years, students have experienced untold trauma related to Covid-19, systemic racism, school shootings and war, inhibiting their ability to learn, develop self-regulation skills, and to form healthy relationships.

This trauma has motivated concerned advocates, educators, parents/caregivers, students, mental health providers, and social service agencies to form the Healing-Centered Working Group. The Working Group helps schools build healing-centered practices to support students’ behavioral health needs and reduce school officials’ reliance on the use of punitive, exclusionary discipline practices — and, worse, the use of School Safety, 911, and emergency medical services.

Healing-Centered Schools District 9 Pilot Program

In 2023, with support from the New York Community Trust, the The Healing-Centered Schools Working Group launched a pilot program at 12 schools in the Bronx’s District 9 aimed at fostering healing centered approaches to education. Through the formation of Transformation Teams that develop and implement a Healing-Centered Plan, the program seeks to develop a culture that allows students and staff to overcome trauma-related obstacles to teaching and learning. 

In addition to partnering with the schools in District 9, Bronx Legal Services offers free legal representation at Superintendent Suspension Hearings throughout the borough. The suspension process can be very confusing. Bronx Legal Services works with families to understand the circumstances that led to the suspension, prepare for the suspension hearing, and attend the hearing alongside the family as their advocate. Working together with families, Bronx Legal Services will seek to positively resolve the situation, make sure the students’ rights are respected and their individual needs understood, and return them to school as soon as possible. After the hearing, Bronx Legal Services will continue to support families in evaluating the student’s educational needs and advocating for a school environment where they can thrive.

How you can get involved:

The Working Group is always looking for people to join the creation of healing-centered schools, including:

• People to join the Healing Ambassador and Pilot School programs
• Parents, students, community members, school staff and elected officials to participate in listening sessions and collaborate in implementing healing centered practices
• Parents, students, community members, school staff and elected officials to participate in the work of the Healing Centered Schools Working Group

If you are interested in participating in or supporting these initiatives, please email [email protected].

For free legal help, call Legal Services NYC at 917-661-4500 Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more about our intake process here.

* The information does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter. Legal help subject to capacity and location.