Our community Talk to Action events and conversations and input from stakeholders emphasized that there are many programs and initatives in our community that are doing good work.  Increasingly those in need are unable to access services because they do not qualify for Medicaid or because providers are no longer accepting Medicaid payments.  In particular, black and brown community members do not have access to service providers that they can identify with and trust.  This is IF they acknowledge that they need support services.  There is trememdous stigma related to mental illness and this is especially true in communities of color and even more among black men.  Stakeholders strongly articulate a need for more services based IN community.

Current stakeholder work pointing is pointing to development of a cross-sector plan informed by the Center for Study of Social Policy's  Strengthening Families Protective Factors and the Prevention Institute's Adverse Community Experiences and Resilience: A Framework for Addressing and Preventing Community Trauma.Specific areas to explore identified in early community engagement activities include: Development of community-wide principles for becoming a trauma-responsive and resilience focused community, building common understanding and resources to support community-wide resilience, nurturing existing grassroots initiatives based in communities, Identify, support and connect community and school resources for rrevention and intervention and addressing adverse community experiences through increaseing economic opportunities and housing access.

Develop a Buncombe County Plan for Becoming a Trauma-Informed and Resilience-focused Community

1. Create Guiding Principles for becoming a trauma informed & resilience-focused community/organization
   1. Start in 1 location "pilot" (example: partner with United Way Middle School?)
   2. Guidelines to be framed in "Strengthening Families Protective Factors" language (Center for Study of Social Policy)
   3. Emphasis on:
      1. cultural "humility" vs competency
      2. Promotion of "shared ownership" of our community
      3. Engaging those most impacted
      4. Cultivating leadership and skill-building for black and brown people (this includes paying for their expertise)
      5. Strong emphasis evaluating progress and ensuring evaluation strategies are accessible (easy to use and understand) for all partners

2. Nurture Grassroots initiatives based in communities

Consider:

• Umoja Wellness and Justice Collaborative
• Continue the "HEARD Project" (Spark Foundation)
• Pilot Youth-Led approach to Self-Regulation Practice (like RFR)
• Library staff trauma training (underway?)

3. Build Common Understanding and Resources to Support Community-Wide Resilience

Potential approaches:

• Communication Campaign
• Focus on Stories: Buncombe County Story Corp
• Buncombe County ACES Summit/Workshop on promoting resilience in our community
• Bring in "accessible" community workshops
  • Desiree Adaway (build resilient, equitable and inclusive organizations) http://desireeadaway.com/
  • Resmaa Menakem - My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Mending of Our Bodies and Hearts
• Highlight a focus on increasing emotional IQ (parenting skills, coping skills, resilience)
• Build education and communication tools that are more accessible for a range of learners, especially digital and video resources and interactive video games

4. Identify, Support and Connect Community and School Resources for Prevention and Intervention:

Examples:

• Parenting Support (Neurobiological vs Behavioral Medicine)
  • Including competency testing for PTSD, anxiety etc… and trauma informed therapy for parents
  • Biological Parent Support Groups
• Adult / Teacher Support
  • Education for teachers and schools on racism and equity
  • Education on the neurobiology perspective on behavior and trauma response
  • Education and resources for personal (teacher) self-regulation
• School-Based Health/Mental Health Centers
• Fathering Programs
• In Real Life (IRL) Afterschool program that focuses on Relationship-building (Ally / Center / Community)
• "Handle With Care" trauma-informed initiatives that alert schools that a student has been exposed to violence or a traumatizing event in a non-disclosing way.
• Expand use of restorative practices in community/schools
• Increase opportunities for expressive arts, "play at school"
• Focus on psychological safety
• Community-Social Connections