CCR clinician, Dr. Tali Raviv is the co-author of a new book entitled, Creating Healing School Communities: School-Based Interventions for Students Exposed to Trauma. The book is one in the series, “Concise Guides on Trauma Care,” aimed at supporting educators and clinicians who are working in schools and community-based agencies (teachers, administrators, school-based social workers, counseling psychologists, psychologists, etc.). 

Schools have great power to build resilience in children and teenagers.  Our country is built upon the notion that education is the great equalizer, and through education, children and youth can overcome difficult circumstances and become successful.  However, the data showing the link between trauma and violence exposure and poor academic outcomes is clear and consistent.  Many schools, especially those with high numbers of students exposed to chronic toxic stress and trauma, are looking for ways to better understand the needs of students exposed to trauma and how to help them thrive. Creating Healing School Communities: School-Based Interventions for Students Exposed to Trauma is intended to do just that - support educators, administrators, and school-based clinicians to help kids who have been victims of trauma, thrive by better understanding their needs. 

Building resilience in students who have experienced trauma is a whole-school (and whole community) effort.  It's not just the job of the school-based mental health providers.  Everyone has a role to play, from security staff, to the bus driver, to front office staff, teachers, and administrators.  This book provides critical information on how to build a trauma-sensitive whole-school environment. It includes:

•    Evidence-based mental health interventions that can help students heal and thrive
•    Critical details for mental health professionals on the best available science
•    Practical information on how to access and implement interventions that work in their schools
•    Techniques to use in treatment

Nationwide, only about 20% of youth that need mental health treatment receive it.  Of those who do get treatment, an estimated 70% of those get services through their schools.  Given the important role that schools play, it's critical that schools implement treatments for trauma that work. Creating Healing School Communities provides readers with the necessary“trauma-informed” tools to intervene on behalf of struggling students and create a beneficial educational environment.