[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 34 (Monday, February 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H1244-H1246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING IMPORTANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 443) recognizing the importance and
effectiveness of trauma-informed care, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 443
Whereas traumatic experiences affect millions of people in
the United States and can affect a person's mental,
emotional, physical, spiritual, economic, and social well-
being;
Whereas adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be
traumatizing and, if not recognized, can affect health across
the lifespan and, in some cases, result in a shortened life
span;
Whereas ACEs are recognized as a proxy for toxic stress,
which can affect brain development and can cause a lifetime
of physical, mental, and social challenges;
Whereas ACEs and trauma are determinants of public health
problems in the United States such as obesity, addiction, and
serious mental illness;
Whereas trauma-informed care is an approach that can bring
greater understanding and more effective ways to support and
serve children, adults, families, and communities affected by
trauma;
Whereas trauma-informed care is not a therapy or an
intervention, but a principle-based, culture-change process
aimed at recognizing strengths and resiliency as well as
helping people who have experienced trauma to overcome those
issues in order to lead healthy and positive lives;
Whereas adopting trauma-informed approaches in workplaces,
communities, and government programs can aid in preventing
mental, emotional, physical, and/or social issues for people
impacted by toxic stress and/or trauma;
Whereas trauma-informed care has been promoted and
established in communities across the United States,
including the following different uses of trauma-informed
care being utilized by various types of entities:
(1) The State of Wisconsin established Fostering Futures, a
statewide initiative partnering the State with Tribes, State
agencies, county governments, and nonprofit organizations to
make Wisconsin the first trauma-informed State. The goal of
Fostering Futures is to reduce toxic stress and improve
lifelong health and well-being for all Wisconsinites.
(2) The Menominee Tribe in Wisconsin improved educational
and public health outcomes by increasing understanding of
historical trauma and childhood adversity and by developing
culturally relevant, trauma-informed practices.
(3) In Chicago, Illinois, schools of medicine provide
critical trauma-informed care, including the University of
Illinois at Chicago Comprehensive Assessment and Response
Training System, which improves the quality of psychiatric
services provided to youth in foster care, and the University
of Chicago Recovery & Empowerment After Community Trauma
Initiative, which helps residents who are coping with
community violence.
(4) In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, service providers,
academics, and local artists use art to engage their
community to educate and involve citizens in trauma-informed
care activities.
(5) In San Francisco, California, the city's public health
department aligned its workforce to create a trauma-informed
system.
(6) In Kansas City, Missouri, schools worked to become
trauma-informed by encouraging teachers and children to
create their own self-care plans to manage stress. They have
implemented broad communitywide, trauma-informed culture
change.
(7) In Tarpon Springs, Florida, the city crafted a
community effort to gather city officials, professionals, and
residents to coordinate multiple trauma-informed activities,
including a community education day.
(8) In Worcester, Massachusetts, community members worked
with the Massachusetts State Department of Mental Health to
create a venue with peer-to-peer support to better engage
individuals dealing with trauma or extreme emotional
distress.
(9) In Walla Walla, Washington, the city and community
members launched the Children's Resilience Initiative to
mobilize neighborhoods and Washington State agencies to
tackle ACEs.
(10) The State of Oregon passed the first law to promote
trauma-informed approaches to decrease rates of school
absenteeism and understanding and promoting best practices to
leverage community resources to support youth.
(11) The State of Massachusetts passed a law to promote
whole-school efforts to implement trauma-informed care
approaches to support the social, emotional, and academic
well-being of all students, including both preventive and
intensive services and supports depending on students' needs.
(12) The State of Washington implemented the ACEs Public-
Private Initiative, a collaboration among private, public,
and community organizations to research and inform policies
to prevent childhood trauma and reduce its negative
emotional, social, and health effects;
Whereas the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration provides substantial resources to better
engage individuals and communities across the United
[[Page H1245]]
States to implement trauma-informed care; and
Whereas numerous Federal agencies have integrated trauma-
informed approaches into their programs and grants and could
benefit from closer collaboration: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the importance, effectiveness, and need for
trauma-informed care among existing programs and agencies at
the Federal level; and
(2) encourages the use and practice of trauma-informed care
within the Federal Government, its agencies, and the United
States Congress.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
General Leave
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and insert extraneous material into the Record on the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of Representative Mike
Gallagher's H. Res. 443, which recognizes the importance and
effectiveness of trauma-informed care.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, trauma results from an event or a series of events that
cause intense physical and psychological stress reactions. The
individual's functioning and emotional, physical, social, and spiritual
health can be severely affected. It is important that health providers
understand the nature and impact of trauma when caring for their
patients.
H. Res. 443 highlights the work of States in trauma-informed care and
encourages the Federal Government to build on the States' momentum by
identifying opportunities to embed this approach to care within current
Federal health operations.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 443, Recognizing the
Importance and Effectiveness of Trauma-Informed Care, sponsored by
Congressman Gallagher from Wisconsin and Congressman Davis from
Illinois.
This resolution recognizes the important role that trauma plays in
health and life situations and the importance of deploying trauma-
informed protocols to respond to traumatic experiences.
Research shows that traumatic experiences are associated with
behavioral health and chronic physical health conditions, such as
substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and heart disease.
Traumatic experiences, such as physical or sexual abuse, neglect,
bullying, community-based violence, and natural disasters give rise to
these negative health consequences.
Because of the harmful consequences of trauma, it is important for
our health system to deploy trauma-informed protocols.
The resolution recognizes the importance of Federal agencies
deploying trauma-informed care to ensure that local care providers are
appropriately engaging individuals with histories of trauma, and
implementing strategies to intervene on the negative consequences of
traumatic experiences.
I urge my colleagues to join me and support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher), the principal author of this resolution.
Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, this is a great day for children, for
vulnerable populations, and caregivers in my home State of Wisconsin
and across this country.
{time} 1800
H. Res. 443 recognizes the importance of trauma-informed care to
individual wellness, the efficacy of care, and improved quality of life
for those who have experienced trauma. Passage of this resolution
demonstrates that this body believes in the power that trauma-informed
care can have in helping children, families, and adults overcome trauma
and lead healthy lives.
From veterans reintegrating into society to survivors of childhood
abuse, individuals from across the population can benefit from the
simple but effective principles of trauma-informed care. By recognizing
and sensitively addressing the impacts of traumatic experiences, we can
build stronger and more resilient communities.
We all want to address major public health issues like addiction,
mental health issues, and obesity, and this resolution moves the ball
forward by raising awareness and building momentum behind evidence-
based best practices and solutions.
Rigorous study and academic review have shown benefits for
organizations, communities, and governments that implement trauma-
informed care.
I am proud to announce that my home State of Wisconsin, under the
leadership of our first lady, Tonette Walker, is on track to becoming
the first fully trauma-informed State in the Nation. In Illinois, home
to our colleague and the colead of this resolution, Congressman Danny
Davis, experts have come together to make this material more accessible
to policymakers and the public.
Exciting innovation in mental healthcare is happening across this
country, and this resolution recognizes that hard work.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I express my sincere thanks to my colleague,
Congressman Davis, for his commitment to this resolution. I also thank
Tonette Walker, first lady of Wisconsin, for her dedication and service
and leadership in this important cause.
Mr. Speaker, additionally, I thank the chairman and the ranking
member of the committee for their hard work on this issue as well.
H. Res. 443 is an important step in breaking down the stigma
surrounding mental healthcare and building more inclusive communities,
more resilient communities, more strong communities that take care of
each other. I encourage all of my colleagues to support its passage.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis), the
cosponsor of the bill.
Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I commend Dr. Burgess
for his leadership, and Representative Gene Green. They have both
demonstrated, I think, the kind of leadership that we are often
seeking, searching for, and looking for.
Mr. Speaker, it has been my pleasure to work with Representative
Gallagher of Wisconsin in development of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to commend the first lady of Wisconsin for
the leadership that she has provided. Of course, the first lady is the
wife of the Governor. I must admit that I was a bit amazed when we were
contacted by the first lady of Wisconsin to talk about this kind of
legislation and to talk about the importance of it.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 443, which recognizes
the importance and effectiveness of trauma-informed care and proposes
to implement this care at the Federal level.
Traumatic experiences affect millions of people across the country,
including the city of Chicago. It is integral to the development of any
person who has experienced trauma to get physical and emotional support
after experiencing an extremely stressful life event.
This is especially important to our Nation's children, as adverse
childhood experiences can affect the health of a child for the rest of
his or her life. If a child does not receive care for trauma, it could
even shorten his or her lifespan, and this stress facilitates negative
brain development.
Trauma-informed care addresses the survivor's specific needs in
relation to his or her personal trauma and recovery. It promotes a
collaborative environment between the survivor and close friends and
family, and it addresses the symptoms of trauma that require treatment.
This helps the survivor work through his or her recovery in a positive
way with the support of close allies.
[[Page H1246]]
Though many States have adopted trauma-informed care programs, it is
essential to implement trauma-informed care at the Federal level and
make sure that people anywhere in the country get the treatment and
support they need, not just those in certain States.
It has also been my pleasure to work closely with Senator Durbin, the
senior Senator from the State of Illinois, and hundreds of groups that
have formed a coalition to help promote and develop an understanding of
just how much trauma care is needed.
Very seldom do I talk about it or mention it, but I had a grandson
who was murdered a year or so ago, and there were other children in the
home. It was a home invasion. So I can tell people firsthand that the
kind of attention and care that individuals get after they have had a
traumatic experience makes a tremendous amount of difference in their
recovery.
I also note that I was trained as a psychologist, and so I have
interacted in many instances with individuals who had experienced
stress. So this is an excellent piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Gallagher again for his
leadership. It has been my pleasure to work with him. I look forward to
the passage of this resolution.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
This is an important resolution. I urge its passage.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 443, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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