Reps. Upchurch, West testify on resolution to declare a state of emergency on childhood trauma in Ohio

COLUMBUS– State Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) today gave sponsor testimony before the Ohio House Health Committee on House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 25, which urges the Governor declare a state of emergency on childhood trauma in Ohio.

“I think many folks do not realize the staggering levels at which our children are experiencing and being impacted by trauma in the home, the classroom and the community. Trauma irreparably harms their long-term health. It deprives them of the bright future they deserve,” said West. “It is long past time that we generate awareness of childhood trauma, acknowledge its disproportionate effects on communities of color, and confront it head-on.”

According to the 2017-2018 National Survey of Children’s Health, more than 400,000 Ohio children reported having two or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that year. ACEs are defined as stressful or traumatic events that occur during childhood, including divorce, death of a parent, jail time for a parent, violence in the home or community or substance abuse in the home or community. The American Psychological Association has also found that racism and poverty are both contributing factors to trauma.

ACEs are strongly related to a wide range of serious health problems, including obesity, heart disease or substance abuse, in addition to a host of developmental, mental and behavioral health problems.

“This resolution will be the first step in a collaborative effort to address the crisis of childhood trauma, not only just in African American communities, but also other marginalized communities as well,” said Upchurch.

The resolution’s core goal is to increase public knowledge in identifying and treating the conditions caused by childhood trauma, with an emphasis on the six key principles of a trauma-informed approach as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It also seeks to identify how existing laws, policies, and systems have contributed to ongoing trauma within minority communities.

The resolution now awaits further hearings in the House Health Committee.