FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 7, 2019
Contact: Chris Nordstrum chris.nordstrum@nmlegis.gov, 415-601-1992
Lawmakers, authors and a bi-partisan bill support ending New Mexico’s epidemic of childhood trauma
Santa Fe, NM – Childhood trauma is at the root of many challenges New Mexico faces: from the opioid crisis, to community violence to poor school achievement and unemployment. This makes childhood trauma an expensive problem, forcing state legislators, city mayors, council members, county commissioners and school board members to divert valuable tax dollars to deal with the impact.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Senator Bill Soules and Representative Gail Armstrong are the state leaders behind the bi-partisan bill to create a data-driven and cross-sector strategy focused on ending adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma in all 33 counties.
Senator Soules explained, “We have identified the problem and we have the solution. From my own experience and surveying of students, we know that large segments of our children and teens endure ACEs. This means students sitting in classes across New Mexico who are currently experiencing neglect; physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and living in households where adults misuse substances, have mental health challenges, are violent to partners, parents are separated, or a family member is incarcerated.”
Soules and Armstrong were introduced to the book Anna, Age Eight: The data-driven prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment by New Mexican researchers Katherine Ortega Courtney, PhD and Dominic Cappello. The book illustrates that the more ACEs that children endure, the more likely they are to have significant emotional, educational and physical challenges. These challenges then lead directly to the costly problems that burden our state, county, city and local school budgets with high dropout rates, incarceration, child welfare service cases, unemployment, low worker productivity, shrinking tax bases, mental health challenges, increased DWIs, substance overdose, and increased violence.
Co-author of Anna, Age Eight Cappello asks, “Do we address the known causes of ACEs or do we continue to spend a large portion of our taxes to repeatedly deal with the costly tragic results? We New Mexicans must choose wisely with courage and compassion.”
The bill–SB370–seeks to create the Anna, Age Eight Institute for the Data Driven Prevention of Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment. It would be sponsored by Northern New Mexico College and designed to strengthen systems of care and safety in all 33 counties. College president Dr. Rick Bailey has been a strong advocate for higher education to play a key role in addressing trauma on campus and in the community.
Dr. Courtney states, “For those towns, cities and counties that wish to become places where children are safe, students are successful, and economies are thriving, our Institute will provide data-driven and cross-sector prevention strategies, state-of-the-art training, technology and support.”
The Anna, Age Eight Institute will focus on strengthening community systems and lifelong learning to create:
• Safe Childhoods
• Successful Students
• Resilient Families
• Productive Employees
• Healthy Communities
Senator Soules, Representative Armstrong, co-authors Courtney and Cappello, Las Cruces Council member Kasandra Gandara and Northern New Mexico College president Dr. Rick Bailey will be showcasing the design and goals of the proposed Institute at the Roundhouse-Senate Chamber, Sat. Feb 9, 10-Noon. The public are invited to attend and share their insights and concerns and questions.
Senator Soules shares, “We hope to see all our cabinet level secretaries, state and local lawmakers, educators and families to support this groundbreaking work developing a first-of-its kind center devoted exclusively to family safety and student success.
Link to Institute: www.AnnaAgeEight.org/institute
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