Culturally Responsive Leadership

When educators learn about the devastating impact of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), childhood trauma, and toxic stress on a child’s developing body, brain, and behavior, they often remark, “Well..what do I do now?”  Today, becoming “trauma-informed” is about initiating and sustaining systems change.  It begins with acknowledging that the current functioning of public service (i.e. education, health care, mental health, etc.) compounds survival reactions rather than mitigates them. Becoming a “trauma-informed” system requires intentional actions (reflected in organizational processes) that generate psychological safety and autonomic nervous system regulation. Emily shares how deep engagement with the Arts can be a positive tool in creating a trauma responsive system.