Trauma Awareness Month

May 2024

Action to Impact: The Journey of Hope Continues

Join us in discussing Delaware’s trauma landscape, past and present, and support our state’s efforts along the trauma continuum.

What is Trauma Awareness Month?

In 2018, Governor Carney issued Executive Order 24 prioritizing efforts for Delaware to become a trauma informed state and incorporating Trauma Awareness Month as a key initiative. The Family Services Cabinet Council and Trauma Matters Delaware are hosting Delaware’s sixth annual Trauma Awareness Month in May 2024. 

This year, we will host a suite of events, learning opportunities and moments for celebration during Trauma Awareness Month. This is a time to celebrate the exceptional work done to date, share best practices and resources for trauma-informed care, and learn how trauma-informed practices can enhance your organization’s services.

Upcoming Trauma Awareness Month Events

This year, the Family Services Cabinet Council and Trauma Matters Delaware are hosting several virtual events.

Events include:

Current Trends of Traumatic Stress for Transgender/Gender Expansive Adolescents

Date: February 28, 2024

Time: 12:00pm EST

What makes this a trauma-aware or trauma-informed event? How does it further the goals of creating a more trauma-aware Delaware?
● Increase understanding and insight on how to identify and address trauma responses associated with both macro and micro aggressions.

●Increase knowledge and skills toward providing ethical and compassionate care for Transgender/Gender Expansive Youth

● Increase knowledge on how to cultivate safer space for Transgender/Gender Expansive Youth

Register by clicking this link. 

Add your event!

Add your event using this link!

If you have any questions about Trauma Awareness Month and the scheduled events, please contact [email protected].

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The Compassionate Champion Awards

The Compassionate Champion Awards recognize individuals and organizations across the state of Delaware providing trauma-informed services. Categories include community partner, education (P-20), family/caregiver, government agency or department, healthcare, first responder, and other. 

The 2023 nomination period closes at April 7, 2023 at 5:00pm. Nominations can be submitted on the Governor’s Website.

Nominate an individual or organization for a 2023 Compassionate Champion award!

View the State Press Release.

2021 Compassionate Champion Award Ceremony

2021 Compassionate Champion Award Recipients

  • Sarah Pyle Academy
  • New Castle County Division of Police, Hero Help Behavioral Health Unit
  • ChristianaCare, special recognition to Dr. Stacey Boyer, PsyD and Megan O’Hara, LCSW
  • Children & Families First Trauma Response Team
  • Erin Connelly, Victim Services Coordinator, Delaware Department of Correction

Due to the extraordinary nominees this year in the education and first responder categories, we are proud to recognize the Compassionate Champion Award First Runners Up:

  • Education 1st Runner Up: The Bancroft School
  • Education 1st Runner Up: Evan G. Shortlidge Academy
  • First Responder 1st Runner Up: Melissa Pennachi, Newark Police Department

The First Champions

In May of 2019, just before the first annual Compassionate Champion Awards were presented, First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney announced a one-time recognition, the First Chance Foundation awards. The awards were presented to, as Tracey said, “individuals, organizations, and partnerships, who were leading trauma-informed work long before [Governor] John [Carney] and I came on the scene.” 

Several of the recipients were involved in designing the annual Compassionate Champion awards program, and all were essential in building the foundation for trauma-informed work in Delaware.

The First Chance Foundation Honorees (with their affiliations at the time):

Wilmington University

Trauma Matters Delaware

Casey Family Programs

Superintendent, Red Clay Consolidated School District

Office of the Child Advocate/Compassionate Schools Learning Collaborative

University of Delaware

Delaware Department of Education/Compassionate Schools Learning Collaborative

Office of the Governor/Compassionate Schools Learning Collaborative

Polytech High School

Children and Families First

Nemours Children’s Health System

(Student Support Team)

DSEA/Compassionate Schools Learning Collaborative and Compassionate Connections Partnership

Family Services Cabinet Council

GIFT