INCLUSION CORNER
Toxic Stress and Trauma Informed Care
Preschoolers experience particularly high rates of adversity and trauma. Research indicates that by age 4, 25{3636cb0a451a12ed88382a3e0ed28b2223ede70e167d2b3efd87582f6f12e3da} to 50{3636cb0a451a12ed88382a3e0ed28b2223ede70e167d2b3efd87582f6f12e3da} of children will have experienced a potentially traumatic event, such as abuse/neglect, or witnessing violence, with higher rates of exposure for children in poverty and those with special needs. (Jimenz, Wade, Line, Morrow, & Reichman, 2016 & Briggs-Gowan, Ford, Fraleigh, McCarthy, & Carter, 2010).
Unfortunately, only 2.5{3636cb0a451a12ed88382a3e0ed28b2223ede70e167d2b3efd87582f6f12e3da} of preschoolers received appropriate mental health services in the last year. Toxic stress internalized by the children and externalized in the classroom increase the risk factors for suspension and expulsion. Suspension rates are highest in preschool and higher among boys of color and children with special needs. Almost 250 children are suspended daily in the U.S. (The Center for American Progress, 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health)
Sewall’s transdisciplinary teams implement a sustaining, unique approach that meet the individual needs of every child and family combined with an underlying thread of how trauma and/or special needs is directly correlated with academic and behavior outcomes.
Sewall does not suspend or expel and often, we accept children who have been. Our goal is for children to be supported in early childhood environments across the city.
SEWALL LUNCH AND LEARN You can learn more about trauma informed care at Sewall’s up-coming lunch-n-learn in September. Lunch will be provided. Stay tuned for details!
MISSON MOMENT – Summer Volunteers
Sydney with Yuming, Ike, and Cal with Nakiya
This summer Sewall was excited to welcome back several former students as summer camp and classroom volunteers. Cal enjoyed reading to the kids in the Dolphins classroom, Ike had fun with the Hedgehog class on the playground, and Sydney helped in summer camp and spoke Madarin with Yuming, a summer camper.
When asked why they wanted to volunteer at Sewall, here’s what they shared:
“I volunteer because I like the kids and I like to read to them.” Cal
“I volunteer because I wanted to see if my old teachers were still here. It gives me a lot of freedom and it is fun to hang out with the kids.” Ike
“This summer I needed something to do and my mom suggested volunteering at Sewall.” Sydney
A big thank you to ALL of the summer volunteers!
Sewall Alumni Picnic
Saturday, September 7, 2019 10 am to 2 pm
In Sewall’s Sensory Garden at The Koelbel Building, 940 Fillmore
Food truck will available so lunches can be purchased. Be sure to bring a lawn chair and beverage. Come enjoy reconnecting with alumni and teachers.
To RSVP, please call Marlys Grote at 303-399-1800 or email: mgrote@sewallchild.org.We look forward to seeing you soon!
Sewall Child Development Center has received a $50,000 Daniels Fund grant to support inclusive early childhood education and classroom therapeutic services for children with special needs.
This grant will focus on individualized transdisciplinary education in an inclusive environment that provides therapeutic services to children with special needs.
“Sewall is extremely grateful and proud to partner with the Daniels Fund to provide quality therapeutic and inclusive early childhood education services for children with special needs,” said Heidi Heissenbuttel, Sewall’s President and CEO. “This grant supports Sewall in its commitment to ensuring that children of all abilities in our community have the resources and foundation for lifelong success.”
The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grant program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.
Sewall is very fortunate and grateful to supporters and philanthropic partners like The Daniels Fund. THANK YOU!