ACRF Joins Forces with Arizona Trauma-Informed Faith Community to Promote Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and communities. It is a framework that seeks to understand the effects of trauma on people's lives and to provide care that is sensitive to the needs of those who have experienced trauma. American Center for Religious Freedom (ACRF) recently joined forces with the Rev. Sanghoon Yoo of AZ Trauma-Informed Faith Communities (ATFF) for a meeting with Tracy Lopes, Arizona Governor's policy advisor and Director Tonya Hamilton of the Governor's Office for Youth, Faith and Families. ATFF is a network of over 200 houses of worship working together to bring compassionate care to Arizonans. Rev. Yoo is recognized globally for is work and lived experience as a survivor, practitioner and trainer. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss promising practices and the positive impacts of implementing trauma-informed care in communities across the state.

The goal is to continue to bring together experts and stakeholders from various backgrounds to discuss the benefits of trauma-informed care and how it can improve outcomes for individuals and communities. According to Dr. Jannah Scott, CEO of ACRF, there is much that can be done when organizations and communities come together for the greater good. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family, which has been a champion of trauma-informed care in Arizona. Director Tonya Hamilton has been a vocal advocate for trauma-informed care and has been instrumental in bringing together stakeholders from various sectors to promote its adoption. Rev. Sanghoon Yoo played a key role in the meeting, sharing his expertise of over 15 years on how faith communities can play a role in promoting trauma-informed care. He emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces for individuals to share their experiences and seek help without fear of judgment or stigma. One of the key takeaways was the importance of promoting continued training and education, both for professionals working with individuals who have experienced trauma, for faith communities, and for members of the community at large. There was also discussion around the need for more resources to support trauma-informed care initiatives, particularly in underserved communities where access to mental health services may be limited. The importance of collaboration between different organizations and stakeholders in order to maximize the impact of these initiatives was emphasized. Overall, the meeting was seen as a positive step forward in promoting trauma-informed care in Arizona. As Director Tonya Hamilton noted in a social media post following the event, these efforts can help build thriving communities that create an #ArizonaForEveryone. By working together, organizations and individuals can create a culture of understanding and compassion that supports those who have experienced trauma and promotes healing and resilience.