Our culture of punishment…

1. Trauma, Stress, and “R.J.”Now is the TimeRobert K. Ross, M.D.President & CEOThe California Endowment

2. Our culture of punishment… As the United States of America, we are the most punitive nation in the world, incarcerating more than 2.3 million people—or one in 136 of our residents.

3. For decades, we have been living in a culture of punishment... • School suspensions are commonplace • Children as young as 12  sentenced to life in prison without parole • Prisons overflowing due to harsh and automatic sentencing    • One in three American youth arrested by age 23  

4. ... that condemns people for symptoms of their health problems… • Trauma is the top predictor of school suspensions • 90% of youth in juvenile custody have experienced trauma • Half of all incarcerated people have mental illness • 65% of people behind bars are substance abusers or addicts

5. ... using punishment-first approaches that have compounded the effects of racism and implicit bias. • Racial disparities in school suspensions start in preschool and build from there • 70% of Californians in prison are people of color • 1 in 3 black men in prison • 1 in 6 Latino men in prison • Half of all incarcerated people are parents

6. Now, after decades of these failed approaches, a growing number of people understand: • You can't suspend your way to school success • You can't sentence your way to safer communities • We need schools, not prisons • We need prevention, not punishment

7. And a compelling strategy for health and prevention is Restorative Justice

8. School-based Restorative Justice Programs Are increasingly being recognized as alternatives to suspensions that are effective in repairing harm or conflict, reducing student risk behaviors and violence, and building community.

9. Oakland Unified School District Suspensions have declined significantly in OUSD in the past 3 years. African American students suspended for disruption/willful defiance, down from 1,050 to 630, a decrease of 40% or 420 fewer suspensions in only one year. Source: Restorative Justice in Oakland Schools: Implementation and Impacts – September 2014

10. Oakland Unified School District Reading levels increased 128% in RJ high schools, compared to 11% in non-RJ high schools. Dropout rates declined 56% in RJ high schools over 3 years, compared to 17% for non-RJ high schools. Four-year graduation rates in RJ schools increased 60% for RJ schools, compared to 7% for Non-RJ schools. Source: Restorative Justice in Oakland Schools: Implementation and Impacts – September 2014

11. We are proud to support San Diego Unified School District’s development as a Restorative District – one that shifts focus on discipline from punishment of student violation of rules or policies to identification of the harm that was caused by the behavior.

12. Restorative Practices include processes to understand and address the factors that led to the behavior.

13. The impacts of trauma… Many communities are working to prevent violence and promote community safety and, through comprehensive, multi-sector actions, are making progress. However, communities that experience high rates of violence continue to be plagued with persistently high rates of trauma.

14. Childhood Trauma Means You Grew Up With… Recurrent physical abuse. Recurrent emotional abuse. Sexual abuse. Emotional or physical neglect.

15. Childhood Trauma Means You Grew Up With… Adults who are substance abusers An incarcerated household member. Caregivers who are mentally ill. Mother treated violently. One or no parents.

16. Poverty and Violence Linked to Childhood Trauma, Poor Health Poor kids who grow up in dangerous neighborhoods are far more likely to be traumatized as children and less likely to overcome their adversity, according to a new study by the Oakland-based Prevention Institute.

17. Symptoms of Community Trauma Source: Adverse Community Experiences and Resilience 2016

18. Trauma manifestsat the community level through Neighborhood violence Cumulative effects of racism and implicit bias Intergenerational trauma

19. Trauma is More Common Than We’d Like to Admit One in seven of all California babies born in 2006 and 2007 had been reported for abuse or neglect by age five. 25% of Californians report 2-3 adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

20. What are ACEs? ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, are traumatic experiences that can have a profound impact on a child’s developing brain and body with lasting impacts on a person’s health and livelihood throughout her lifetime.

21. Why Does This Matter? Dozens of studies have confirmed the that childhood trauma accurately predicts serious health problems later in life. Time does not heal all wounds.

22. For kids, the stakes are high Trauma is the No. 1 predictor of school suspension and No. 2 predictor of academic failure (after being in special education) Kids with 2+ adverse childhood experiences are 3x more likely to repeat a grade 90% of kids in juvenile justice system have a history of trauma

23. Brain Science Helps Explain Why • Nurturing, responsive, and individualized interactions from birth build healthy brain structure. • Healthy brain architecture is the foundation required for future learning, behavior and health.

24. Regional Child Abuse Prevention Councils 2011

25. The brain is wired for survival, first and foremost • Cortisol and adrenaline flood the brain, leading to “fight, flight or freeze” response. • “Rational” brain goes offline

26. For kids, trauma overwhelms internal ability to cope So they use other coping strategies: drinking, smoking, sexual promiscuity, drug use. Behavioral symptoms include jumpiness, defiant behavior, withdrawal, inability to focus, lack of trust.

27. Finally, some good news.. The effects of trauma can last a lifetime, but they don’t have to There are ways to buffer the effects of trauma and build resilience Nurturing relationships are crucial

28. To prevent trauma, we must start early Pre-natal and early childhood: Screen moms-to-be Awareness building among pediatricians Parent education Home visitation Quality child care and pre-school

29. Trauma-Informed Schools Training educators and school staff about trauma and brain development Teach “self regulation” – what to do when you are anxious and angry Replace suspensions and expulsions with peaceful conflict resolution School based health services Guard against over medication of children

30. In communities Support for parents School and community based mental health Mentoring and after-school programs Meditation Healing and relationship-building

31. The Power of Youth Leadership Healing through self-expression, storytelling, the arts and activism.

32. Trauma Leads to Justice Through Resiliency Oppression is a form of trauma Trayvon, Ferguson, Baltimore Civic engagement has therapeutic value MLK, Mandela, Chavez, MADD

33. Elements of a Resilient Community Source: Adverse Community Experiences and Resilience 2016