Trauma Awareness Month

May 2023

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

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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 fifth annual Trauma Awareness Month in May 2023. 

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.

Trauma Awareness
Events

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Compassionate Champions

Awards and Winners

The First
Champions

First Chance Honorees

Upcoming Trauma Awareness Month Events

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

Events include:

Toxic Stress & Empathy in Law Enforcement

Date: April 25th

Time: 12 PM – 1:30 PM,

TAM Information Session

Recognize the role toxic stress plays in responding to situations

Identify strategies to mitigate role strain

Learn the role of compassion and empathy in making connections

This event is open to the public.

Register for this information session by clicking this link. 

Trauma Awareness theme night at the Wilmington Blue Rocks

Date: April 28th
Time: 5:35pm

Come out and support Trauma Matters Delaware as they raise awareness at the Blue Rocks game on April 28, 2023. The game starts at 6:35 and the gates open at 5:35. Come early for pre–game festivities. Use the password TMD23 to purchase tickets and $3.00 of every ticket sold using that password will go back to Trauma Matters Delaware.

Wilmington Blue Rocks

Moving From Trauma-Sensitive to Trauma-Responsive

Date: April 29th

Time: 9 AM – 3 PM

This conference will focus on resilience across the lifespan and incorporate themes that show up in the workplace.
State leaders, educators, and community members will have the chance to hear from various trauma professionals on
how they can ensure they are utilizing trauma-sensitive care techniques to ensure their organization are working to
become trauma-responsive.

Moving From Trauma-Sensitive to Trauma-Responsive Tickets, Sat, Apr 29, 2023 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite

Shining the Light on the Healing Power of Community Takes U and ME

Date: May 3rd

Time: 1 PM – 2 PM

Communities are full of hidden gems that support connection, healing and resilience. Are you one of those gems? What is already working to promote well-being in your community? What do you need? We invite you to consider the role you can play in developing collaborative partnerships to highlight, support and foster community lead well-being.

Shining the Light on the Healing Power of Community Takes U and ME Tickets, Wed, May 3, 2023 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Film screening of Mister Rogers & Me at Theatre N in Wilmington with post-panel discussion

Date: May 6th

Information Coming Soon

Gun violence 101

Date: May 10

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Gun violence is a complex problem but elevating our
collective knowledge about how it persists is the first
step toward preventing gun violence.

Learn about solutions and obstacles during GV101!

Gun violence 101 Tickets, Wed, May 10, 2023 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

Engaging Faith in Recovery: "I see you, I Care" Conference

Date: May 10

Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Theme for this year’s conference is “I see you, I Care”

  • Keynote Address: Faith in Action
  • Heal and touch exercise
  • Session 1: Recovery and Stigma
  • Session 2: QPR Training (Question, Persuade and Refer)
  • Networking Lunch
  • Trauma Matters Delaware: The Brain Game
  • Narcan Training
  • CPR Demonstration and training

Engaging Faith in Recovery: “I see you, I Care” Conference Tickets, Wed, May 10, 2023 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite

Podcasts as a Tool to Educate Others About Trauma-informed Higher Education

Date: May 10th

Time: 12 PM – 1:30 PM

Come explore the process of designing a podcast to teach about trauma-informed higher education from identifying your audience to choosing your content and format. Together we will co-create a potential podcast series that the Trauma Matters Delaware Higher Education Workgroup will then bring to life. No experience with either podcasting or trauma-informed approaches needed to attend!

Podcasts as a Tool to Educate Others About Trauma-informed Higher Education Tickets, Wed, May 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health

Date: May 16th

Time: 9AM

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health will provide participants an introductory understanding of autism spectrum disorder and commonly occurring mental health diagnoses. Participants will review the core characteristics of autism, learn about prevalence and presentation, and be introduced to evidence-based resources that can be used to support individuals with autism who have mental health needs.

Webinar Registration – Zoom

A Lunch & Learn: How to be An Ally to LGBTQ+ People?

Date: May 17th

Time: 12 PM- 1 PM

• Increase Knowledge of Value of Using Affirming Names/Pronouns/Promoting Safer Systems to Foster Positive Inner Narratives/Sense of Belonging to Greater Community

• Increase Knowledge for Cisgender/Heterosexual Allies to be vocal advocates with increasing Community Safety & Support for LGBTQ Delawareans

A Lunch & Learn: How to be An Ally to LGBTQ+ People? Tickets, Wed, May 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

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