Bill Overview
Title: RISE from Trauma Act
Description: This bill establishes and extends various programs to support infants, children, youth, and families who have experienced, or may experience, trauma. Specifically, the bill allows federal agencies to use specified discretionary funds to implement pilot projects to improve outcomes for children experiencing trauma. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide tool kits and other guidance to train frontline service providers and certain community members about trauma, toxic stress, and resilience. In addition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must establish a national center to disseminate to law enforcement agencies best practices and other assistance to enhance interactions with infants, children, youth, and families who are exposed to violence and trauma. Furthermore, the bill establishes grants for multi-sector demonstration projects to prevent and mitigate trauma and toxic stress; interventions to improve outcomes for hospital patients who experience drug overdoses, suicide attempts, or violent injury; and clinical training in infant and early childhood mental health. The bill also authorizes DOJ grants to reduce violence and substance use by preventing children's trauma from exposure to violence and substance use. Additionally, it incorporates trauma-informed practices and otherwise addresses trauma in programs for health care professional education, increasing access to health services, and training for educators.
Sponsors: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Target Audience
Population: people who have experienced or may experience trauma, including infants, children, youth, and families
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill aims to support individuals who have experienced or may experience trauma, focusing on infants, children, youth, and families.
- Pilot projects funded by federal agencies will target children experiencing trauma, expanding the reach of support programs.
- The US Department of Health and Human Services will provide training toolkits, implying a broader reach of education on trauma beyond direct services.
- A national center established by the Department of Justice will enhance law enforcement interaction with trauma-exposed populations.
- Grants for multi-sector projects indicate a wide-ranging impact on communities and systems interacting with trauma-affected individuals.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy is primarily children and families who have experienced or may experience trauma, which is estimated to be around 60 million in the US. The policy aims to impact a significant proportion of this group through pilot projects, training initiatives, and grants.
- The financial limits of the policy suggest it will have some immediate impacts but will primarily lay the groundwork for more substantial long-term gains. Initial investments in training and infrastructure are likely to yield moderate to high impacts on certain individuals, with growing benefits as programs expand.
- The simulated interviews consider a diverse range of people impacted by trauma-related support, including teachers, parents, healthcare workers, and law enforcement officers, reflecting the broad touchpoints of the policy.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could be a game changer in terms of training educators like me to better support our students.
- I see a lot of children every day dealing with things they shouldn’t have to at their age.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Police Officer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The training provided by the policy could help officers like me handle situations more effectively.
- I hope it leads to fewer aggressive encounters and better community relations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Mental Health Counselor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With this policy, I could receive better training in trauma interventions, improving my ability to help my clients.
- The additional resources would be a huge relief as demand is far greater than supply.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Programs supporting families dealing with trauma are essential.
- Practical support could relieve some of the stress of my situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Hospital Nurse (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Implementing trauma-informed practices can significantly change how we treat patients.
- The policy might reduce repeat trauma cases if followed through correctly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could enhance my education through better practical training opportunities.
- Knowing that more attention is being paid to trauma gives me hope.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Community Worker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The focus on trauma-informed practices could make our programs more effective.
- It’s crucial that we address the root causes of trauma, not just the symptoms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Social Services Director (Dallas, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional funding for trauma-related initiatives is desperately needed.
- We often lack the resources to properly address trauma in child welfare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Nonprofit Executive (Seattle, WA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could amplify our efforts to advocate for trauma-informed care.
- If effectively implemented, it will have a lasting impact on community resilience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Early Childhood Educator (Miami, FL)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The grants for clinical training in mental health could enhance our teaching methods.
- It’s important that we catch and address trauma early in life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $68000000)
Year 10: $64000000 (Low: $54000000, High: $74000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $84000000, High: $116000000)
Key Considerations
- The effective evaluation and adaptation of trauma-informed initiatives are crucial for achieving long-term benefits.
- Inter-agency collaboration is essential for addressing the multifaceted nature of trauma.
- Securing sustained funding for ongoing training and program implementation will determine the initiative's success.