Representatives of more than 40 organizations from the Midcoast region participated in “Childhood Trauma: Impact, Interventions and Treatment” workshops recently. The workshops were provided by Community Counseling Center’s Patti Ross, Implementation Coordinator for the Maine Children’s Trauma Response Initiative.

The goal of the training was to educate those who work with children and youth about the effects of childhood trauma on child and youth behavior and was provided as part of United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Early Childhood Initiative. Participants included law enforcement, schools, teen programs, YMCA’s, domestic abuse and sexual assault programs, healthcare as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters and Girl Scouts.

“I gained a huge amount of insight into the issues children are facing as well as adults who have been faced with trauma,” said participant Denise Mungen of Oasis Health Network.

Holly Snowdon of Big Brothers Big Sisters Bath Brunswick said, “The training helped me to remember to look through a trauma lens when dealing with difficult situations involving children and adults that are struggling in some aspect of their lives.”

Girl Scouts of Maine representative Suzanne Hand said, “There were many ways we could implement what was discussed today in many of the things that we do,” and MSAD 75 School Health Coordinator Mary Booth said, “Thanks for such a great opportunity to listen to Patti Ross this morning and learn more about work being done in our community to support at risk children ... thanks again for all you and the United Way of Mid Coast Maine are doing.”

The workshops, held at Elmhurst in Bath and St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle, are part of United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s commitment to getting children off to the best possible start in life. Research has shown this is incredibly important for people’s long-term health, education and financial stability.