Fostering youth resilience
Everyone experiences some level of trauma in life. When children experience trauma – otherwise known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – it affects how they grow up and how healthy they are later in life. Causes of trauma can include violence, abuse, neglect, bullying, loss of a loved one, accidents, long-term health problems, natural disasters and more. The issue is more common than you might think. About 64% of adults in the United States report that they’ve experienced at least one type of adverse experience before age 18.
Trauma-informed training
Many places where kids spend time – like schools, community centers and health clinics – are working to recognize symptoms of trauma and adapt the way they interact with youth who have a difficult past. Cambia Health Foundation, Regence’s corporate foundation, has a rich history of supporting organizations that help increase resiliency among children through trauma-informed training, mentorship and building spaces that encourage the development of safe, stable and nurturing relationships.
Read more about some of our Foundation’s community partners making strides in this space:
National Children’s Alliance (UT)
When National Children’s Alliance (NCA) launched a successful, evidence-based therapy training initiative in North and South Carolina, we invested to expand their programming to Utah and Idaho. The Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention training program helps child victims of abuse overcome PTSD symptoms by training staff to deliver mental health services. With Foundation funding, NCA trained additional clinicians at 7 sites across Utah and Idaho, creating access for families and children. Additionally, funding helped to establish the NCA Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes which helps bring these resources to others in Utah and beyond.
HopeSparks (WA)
In the United States, there are few models for pediatric patients that address both behavioral and primary health care, leaving the two very disconnected. HopeSparks, an organization in Pierce County, WA, serves children and families who face trauma, abuse, and overwhelming life challenges. They created the Pediatric Healthcare Integration program which offers universal screening and treatment of mental health concerns for children in primary care clinics, diverting children away from crisis and emergency rooms. Behavioral health specialists at HopeSparks partner with parents and pediatricians to advance early relational health and encourage positive childhood experiences for those with a history of at least three ACEs. Funding is currently supporting increased access to an integrated pediatric mental health initiative in Washington State which is a nationally recognized model.
Cornerstone Whole Healthcare Organization (ID)
Pediatricians are an important source of information and guidance for parents of young children and they can play a significant role in breaking intergenerational patterns of trauma. Cornerstone Whole Healthcare Organization partnered with the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund to expand resources for families and pediatricians through an ACEs Learning Collaborative. The Foundation is supporting expansion across Idaho and will support pediatricians across the state as they help families create safe and healthy environments for their children.
Trillium Family Services (OR)
According to a 2024 report by Mental Health America, Oregon ranks 49th nationwide in youth mental illness prevalence and access to care. In response to this crisis, Trillium Family Services created a new pilot program to improve mental health care for children and adolescents in Oregon. Their innovative model, the Whole Person Health initiative, provides integrated care to the most acute cases in Trillium’s inpatient programs. Funding is supporting the development phase of this initiative by facilitating family listening sessions, identifying best practices in cross-disciplinary care, and more – all in an effort to build resiliency and mitigate effects of ACEs for children and their families.
Our corporate foundation’s ongoing commitment to mental health access among children and youth
Cambia Health Foundation has an ongoing commitment to improving whole-person health care models for young children and their caregivers across Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Because maternal and childhood experiences set the patterns for lifelong health outcomes, the Foundation invests in partnerships with non-profit organizations to create positive generational patterns.
Please visit CambiaHealthFoundation.org to learn more.
