Pioneer Center honors Trauma-Informed Awareness Day May 15

Pioneer Center employees are observing Illinois Trauma Informed Awareness Day on Friday, May 15, by providing Adverse Childhood Experience training sessions to staff. The training, approximately 90 minutes, is being offered twice on a live webinar. Pioneer Center in Woodstock continues to be in the forefront by providing our employees with the most updated information and lessons on trauma informed care.

ACEs are potentially traumatic occurrences during childhood. A child's environment can undermine their sense of safety, stability and bonding. ACEs can have lasting, negative effects on health, well-being and opportunities throughout a person's life. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness and substance misuse in adulthood.

ACE Interface is a training program for learners of all backgrounds on the science of trauma and resilience. It is used to promote an understanding of ACE and resilience science to improve health and well-being across the life span. Anyone who works with people, regardless of their background, can benefit from this training, including school staff, parents, social workers, counselors, community members, first responders, law enforcement, public officials, and faith communities.

Pioneer Center's Director of Behavioral Health Erin Brumfield Grima explains, "This year, with Trauma Informed Awareness Day falling amidst the COVID-19 crisis, it is more apparent than ever that so many people can be impacted by adverse childhood experiences."

Grima adds, "The ACE interface training is a great opportunity to spread this valuable information to staff across our agency."

Grima and Pioneer Center's Manager of Child & Family Services Liz Quijada Fuentes became certified trainers for ACE Interface through the McHenry County Mental Health Board. The mental health board launched the trauma-Informed initiative by providing the ACE Interface Master Trainer Education course for McHenry County.

Pioneer Center is a private, nonprofit charitable organization, providing programs for people with developmental disabilities, behavioral health services, and homeless shelter needs to the McHenry County community. To learn more about Pioneer Center, visit www.pioneercenter.org.