Bill Text: DE HCR32 | 2019-2020 | 150th General Assembly | Draft

Delaware House Concurrent Resolution 32 (Prior Session Legislation)

Draft

Bill Title: Recognizing May, 2019 As "trauma Awareness Month" In The State Of Delaware.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-04-16 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT [HCR32 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2019-HCR32-Draft.html

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Johnson & Rep. Longhurst & Rep. K. Williams on behalf of all Representatives & Sen. Lockman on behalf of all Senators

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 32

RECOGNIZING MAY, 2019 AS "TRAUMA AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study identified that childhood exposure to traumatic experiences increases the likelihood of physical and psychological illness later in life. Those childhood experiences include: physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; physical or emotional neglect; household dysfunction, including substance abuse, untreated mental illness, or incarceration of a household member; domestic violence; and separation/divorce involving household members; and

WHEREAS, a 2015 survey of Delaware adults indicated that 14% were exposed to 4 or more ACEs and those exposed were: 8 times more likely to have been diagnosed with a mental health condition; nearly 7 times more likely to have been diagnosed with a substance abuse problem; and 4.6 times more likely to be in fair or poor health; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s ACEs data indicated that 23% of children from birth to age 18 were exposed to 2 or more ACEs, and that those children were 5 times more likely to be reported in fair or poor health; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that prevention of prolonged exposure to toxic stress, early intervention, trauma-specific treatment, and building resilience of children and families – which can be promoted through trauma-responsive care – can mitigate the impact of ACEs and produce better health, educational, and community outcomes; and

WHEREAS, on October 17, 2018, Governor John C. Carney signed Executive Order #24, which declared and ordered the Family Services Cabinet Council to lead Delaware in becoming a trauma-informed state, and ordering all cabinet agencies that provide services to children and adults to integrate trauma-informed best practices; and

WHEREAS, stakeholders from state agencies have developed a toolkit for all state employees that contains resources on increasing their awareness of ACEs, how to recognize and respond to trauma, and self-care and resiliency for employees, their families and their communities; and

WHEREAS, the “Compassionate Champion Award” was created to recognize outstanding achievement by both individuals and organizations providing trauma-informed services throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, Family Services Cabinet Council agencies and their community partners have planned events, trainings, and self-care opportunities for their employees and the public during the month of May in order to increase trauma awareness and foster resiliency.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 150 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that May, 2019, is hereby designated as “Trauma Awareness Month,” and the State Legislature calls upon Delawareans to observe this month by educating themselves on the impact of trauma and promoting awareness and resiliency in their families and communities.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution designates the month of May, 2019, as “Trauma Awareness Month” and calls upon Delawareans to educate themselves on the impact of trauma and promote awareness and resiliency in their families and communities.