Happy Wednesday!

Springtime represents hope, renewal, and growth – and we couldn’t be more excited to share how CTIPP is growing to serve the trauma-informed movement and community better.

CTIPP received a generous one-time gift and foundation grants, which created the capacity to hire our first paid staff members. This is a huge step that will allow us to provide better support for advocates, policymakers and staff, practitioners, and the trauma-informed movement! 

We look forward to sustaining and increasing our funding levels to continue to build the movement to prevent trauma and foster resilience, and it is a sincere pleasure to introduce our new team members:

• JEN CURT, Director of Government Affairs (jen@traumacampaign.org). Jen is responsible for developing and advancing our specific policy priorities by bringing the trauma campaign’s values, resources, and voices to Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and the White House. Jen has nearly ten years of experience advancing trauma-informed policy and practices through grassroots movement building, advocacy, and writing policy.
   
• WHITNEY MARRIS, Director of Trauma-Informed Practice and Systems Transformation (whitney@traumacampaign.org). Whitney supports the team in integrating and operationalizing the guiding principles of a trauma-informed approach in all aspects of the work. In addition to engaging in training facilitation and coaching, Whitney currently works as a trauma therapist in a private group practice in Alexandria, Virginia, and an adjunct instructor at the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Social Work.
   
• LAURA BRADEN QUIGLEY, Director of Communications and Outreach (laura@traumacampaign.org). Laura is responsible for internal and external communications across all platforms and channels, including messaging, earned media, websites, collateral materials, stakeholder engagement, and social media. Laura has over 20 years of experience helping nonprofits, industry associations, Fortune 10 companies, and elected officials craft compelling stories and develop impactful strategies.
   
• CARLTON WEDDINGTON, Director of Community Engagement (carlton@traumacampaign.org) Carlton is responsible for working collaboratively with individuals, organizations, and communities to educate and share the need for trauma-informed policy and practice nationwide. Carlton has over 25 years of experience in designing and implementing public education campaigns, fundraising, public speaking, writing, media utilization, grassroots organizing, legislative research, and leadership development.

CTIPP also plans to launch a new website by the end of the month, which will serve as a resource and gathering place for the movement, complete with policy ideas, priority issue breakdowns, and more!

Thank you for your commitment to the trauma-informed movement and for building hope and healing in your communities. Please continue to let us know how we can assist and support your efforts, deepen relationships and build this magnificent community of activists.

Sincerely,

CTIPP

CALLS TO ACTION

• Urge Congress to Invest $1B into Mental Health Professionals & Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools. This funding will provide more mental health professionals in schools because the isolation, toxic stress, loss, and instability from COVID-19 have led to persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased suicidality, and overall poor mental health. Sign on to our letter by April 20, 2022, to ensure more underserved students are supported by healing-centered, resilience-focused, and trauma-informed care to reach their full potential.
   
• Submit Your Mental Health Awareness Month Events & Activities. CTIPP is proud to support #WeHealUS, a grassroots campaign that honors May as Mental Health Awareness Month by amplifying the hard work of individuals, organizations, and local/state governments in building resilience and healing. Get involved, add your events to our calendar, and access resources today.
   
• Help Grow the National Trauma Campaign. Want to join our nationwide grassroots campaign to engage congressional offices and other federal leaders in supporting policies, programs, legislation, and appropriations that prevent and respond to childhood trauma and build resilience? If you have not already done so, then please join us today – we have sign-up forms for individuals and organizations. Encourage others to join the Campaign as well!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 

President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address included a national strategy to address the mental health crisis impacting nearly every American. We applauded his approach because we believe this country is ready for a paradigm shift that ensures everyone has the support and resources to heal and thrive. We also sent his administration a letter encouraging them to emphasize prevention and further investment toward building community and individual resilience. 

As part of the strategy, the Department of Health and Human Services announced nearly $35 million in grants across seven programs to strengthen mental health support for children and young adults, including a new grant to promote Black youth mental health.

View funding opportunities.

JOIN CTIPP'S MONTHLY CALL ON APRIL 20:

Our next Community Action Network (CAN) call will introduce new staff members and discuss our growth, as well as feature a presentation from Rebecca Robuck on Journey to Success. Journey to Success is a new and emerging policy campaign that seeks to improve outcomes for all youth and young adults who experience foster care (explore resources here).

The March CTIPP CAN Call explored how multi-sector coalitions can address trauma and promote resilience. Our featured guests included presentations from the Winer Family Foundation, Kellin Foundation, and North Carolina Partnership for Children on the state’s exciting energy and work towards building trauma-informed systems that strengthen resilience.

View presentation slides here and here