Becky Haas

“Exposure to violence is a national crisis that affects approximately two out of every three of our children. In 1979, U.S. Surgeon General Julius B. Richmond declared violence a public health crisis of the highest priority, and yet decades later that crisis remains.” (Report of the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence)

We are long overdue for a national awareness campaign — similar to public health initiatives on how seat belts and car seats save lives, smoking causes cancer, and hand washing prevents the flu. Education is needed within every professional sector on how childhood trauma leads to adult life and health disparities including addiction. Only then can we help those who feel paralyzed by their pasts to achieve the healthy lives they deserve.

Time for Action

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Landmark research, known as the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, was conducted at Kaiser Permanente from 1995 to 1997 with 17,000 Health Maintenance Organization members who completed confidential surveys regarding their childhood experiences and current health status and behaviors. The findings from ACEs study revealed more than half of the respondents reported at least one ACE, while one-fourth reported more than two. Significant findings included realizing a graded relationship between the number of categories of childhood exposure produced an increase of adult health risk behaviors and diseases. Persons who had experienced four or more categories of childhood exposure, compared to those who had experienced none, had a four to twelve times increase of health risks for alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, and suicide attempt; a two to four times increase in smoking, increased sexual promiscuity and sexually transmitted disease.

Since 2014 recommendations from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have been for communities to “address trauma with a multi-pronged, multi-agency public health approach inclusive of public education and awareness, prevention and early identification, and effective trauma-specific assessment and treatment.” * (SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach) Education and training are needed in every community to help service systems to pause, gain a basic realization about trauma and how it can affect individuals and then take inventory that they are not re-traumatizing individuals in their service delivery. Since 2015, I’ve passionately dedicated myself to see that these practices have been applied in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and beyond. As a result of training over 50,000 professionals to date, many champions have emerged now understanding ACEs science who are building community resilience through inspiring programming within a diversity of professional sectors.

What’s Predictable is Preventable

Positive Childhood Experiences

ACEs are only one part of the story. They are NOT destiny. We now know what is predictable is also preventable. By understanding ACE scores and how they may have contributed to individual health or the health of a community is important, but the good news is that trauma can be overcome through resilient skills and the caring support from others. “Research shows that Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) buffer against the health effects of adverse ones. The proactive promotion of positive childhood experiences for children may reduce risk for adult depression, poor mental health and promote adult relational health.” * (JAMA Pediatrics, Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental and Relational Health in a Statewide Sample) Every city needs to examine how they are supporting the development of protective factors among children and adolescents in order for them to avoid behaviors that place them at risk for adverse health and educational outcomes. These factors increase an individual’s ability to avoid adopting unhealthy coping skills, and promote social and emotional competence to thrive in all aspects of life, now and in the future.

Becky Haas is an Experienced Trainer, Organizational Coach and Internationally Recognized for Implementing Trauma Informed Care

Testimonials

“The Johnson City model of trauma informed care has been a tremendous inspiration for First Chance Delaware. The Johnson City System of Care is an example of what cities really need.”

Tracey Quillen CarneyFirst Lady of Delaware

“Becky Haas brings an exceptional combination of first hand-experience, and an in-depth knowledge of the science supporting trauma-informed approaches. What she accomplished in Johnson City serves as one of the most dramatic examples of how a trauma-informed approach can change a community.”

Dan PressPartner, Van Ness/Feldman, LLP

“Though many communities are beginning to implement SAMHSA recommendations to educate professionals how to provide services through a trauma lens, Johnson City clearly stands out as a leader in embracing this model.”

Dr. Joan GilleceNational Center for Trauma Informed Care

“I attended a first cohort of trauma informed care training that Becky Haas offered in 2016. Since that time I’ve witnessed her pioneering work bring about regional acceptance in almost every professional sector that addressing ACEs is a must for every community.”

Karen Schetzina, MD, MPH, CLC, FAAPDepartment of Pediatrics Quillen College of Medicine

“Becky Haas is a very good instructor and presented the material in a straight forward realistic approach for law enforcement.”

Chief Wade GourleyChief of Police, Oklahoma City Police Department

“The knowledge Becky conveys and the passion she exudes makes her presentation one of the most profound I have experienced in my twenty-five-year career as an educator. Her ability to connect with any audience is truly remarkable.”

Dr. Dennis CarterDivision Superintendent, Smyth County Schools, Marion, Virginia

“Becky Haas is a terrific resource for any community beginning to plan a trauma informed system of care.”

Ellen ReckhowDurham County Commissioner, Durham, North Carolina

“Highly recommend Trauma Informed Policing training! Becky’s style of delivery was received very well. Very happy we decided to work with Becky and provide this important information to all of our officers.”

Jeff BeckerDeputy Chief, Oklahoma City Police Department

”Becky Haas is a visionary. As we have trained and published together I have witnessed a culture change first-hand in Northeast Tennessee. Initially only 30% of helping professionals were aware of ACEs, but within a span of three years that increased to where over 85% report a working knowledge of ACEs.”

Dr. Andi Clements Psychology Department East Tennessee State University

“Becky Haas provided Trauma Informed Care training for our staff the entire first year of transition. Her wisdom, sense of humor and passion for helping students provided Topper Academy staff with a new focus and renewed sense of value in making a positive difference.”

Melanie Riden-BaconPrincipal Science Hill Alternative School

Building a Trauma Informed – Resilient Focused Community

This training is based on the Building A Trauma Informed System of Care toolkit. This toolkit was developed as a result of pioneering work since 2015 to build the Northeast Tennessee ACEs Connection group.

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Trauma Informed Policing, Juvenile Justice and Corrections

Based on national statistics, it is safe to assume that everyone who comes into contact with the justice system has a history of trauma, so criminal justice professionals should consider taking a “universal precautions” approach to providing services. When justice professionals learn about trauma, they can respond in ways more supportive to trauma behaviors thereby take actions to avoid re-traumatizing, employ de-escalation tools to reduce use-of-force, ensure safety of all, reduce recidivism, and promote recovery. These actions build trust between police and the communities they serve.

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Resilient Centered Healthcare

A medical office or hospital can be a terrifying experience for someone who has experienced trauma, particularly for childhood sexual abuse survivors. The perceived power differential, being asked to remove clothing, and having invasive testing can remind someone of prior episodes of abuse.

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Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools and Childcare Settings

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “one out of every 4 children attending school has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect learning and/or behavior.

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Faith Based Community

Houses of faith by nature are a place where people turn when vulnerable, hurting, lost and confused. To think when coming to church to find answers and help, there are occasions where people have experienced further victimization is tragic.

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Online Training Academy

Given the current advancements in technology, many organizations are moving towards the virtual world for meeting their staff training needs. During the global pandemic of COVID-19 these online tools have become even more essential.

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Time for Action

What’s Predictable is Preventable

Becky Haas is an Experienced Trainer, Organizational Coach and Internationally Recognized for Implementing Trauma Informed Care

Speaking Inquires

Testimonials

Building a Trauma Informed – Resilient Focused Community

Trauma Informed Policing, Juvenile Justice and Corrections

Resilient Centered Healthcare

Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools and Childcare Settings

Faith Based Community

Online Training Academy