On Tuesday, May 25th, the Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative hosted a virtual event, “Building a More Resilient and Just Illinois,” with leaders from around the state in honor of Illinois’ third annual Trauma-Informed Awareness Day.

Trauma-Informed Awareness Day is an opportunity to recognize the impacts that trauma and adversity can have on the health and well-being of individuals and communities, while also honoring the tremendous achievements of those who have advocated for trauma-informed practices and policies throughout Illinois. Trauma-Informed Awareness Day also acknowledges the essential role that racial equity and justice plays in creating communities and systems that are safe and accessible for all Illinoisans.

Building a More Resilient and Just Illinois featured a panel of state and local policymakers and community organizers from across Illinois who shared how they are advancing trauma-informed policies and practices, as well as their vision for a trauma-informed and resilient Illinois.

The event marked the release of the Action Plan to Address Childhood Adversity in Illinois, the result of a year-long, multisectoral working group with partners from across the state. With insight from policymakers, advocates, and community members throughout Illinois, this Action Plan outlines recommendations for a statewide response to prevent and mitigate trauma, as well as integrate equity and justice into trauma-informed policies.

• See slides from the event here and here!

Welcome Remarks

Grace B. Hou, Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Leadership Panel

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton

Matt Richards, Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health, Chicago Department of Public Health

Rosalia Salgado, Parent Leader, POWER-PAC IL, COFI

Panel Moderator

Octavia Tyson, Program Manager for Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma (ReCAST), Office of Violence Prevention and Behavioral Health, Chicago Department of Public Health

Release of Action Plan to Address Childhood Adversity in Illinois

Bridget Gavaghan, Director of the Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group

This event was made possible through the generous support of the
Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation