PRINTER'S NO. 747
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
126
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY KEARNEY, BREWSTER, FONTANA, DINNIMAN, LEACH, MUTH,
SANTARSIERO, SABATINA, J. WARD, STREET, BARTOLOTTA, SCHWANK
AND BROWNE, MAY 8, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 8, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of May 2019 as "Childhood Trauma Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Research over the last two decades from the evolving
fields of neuroscience, molecular biology, public health and
epigenetics reveals that experiences in the first 1,000 days of
life build changes into the biology of the human body, which in
turn influence a lifetime of physical and mental health; and
WHEREAS, These early experiences shape the physical
architecture of a child's developing brain and establish either
a resilient or a fragile foundation for all the learning, health
and behavior that follows; and
WHEREAS, Exposure to chronic stress and trauma in early
childhood caused by numerous conditions, including extreme
poverty, repeated abuse, neglect, parental substance abuse and
domestic violence, are toxic to a child's developing brain; and
WHEREAS, A critical factor in buffering children from the
effects of toxic stress is the existence of safe, stable
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relationships between children and their families, caregivers
and other important people in their lives with support by
trauma-informed service systems; and
WHEREAS, It is more effective and less costly to positively
influence the architecture of a young child's developing brain
than to attempt to correct poor learning, health and behaviors
later in life; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 50% of all children in Pennsylvania and 45%
of all children in the United States have experienced one or
more adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect,
which are potentially traumatizing experiences; and
WHEREAS, The cumulative economic and social costs of complex
trauma in childhood places a significant burden on the country,
including an estimated $103.8 billion annually in direct and
indirect treatment and support costs, as well as lost
productivity to society; and
WHEREAS, Childhood trauma results in poor educational
outcomes, with children that experience four or more adverse
childhood experiences being twice as likely to have learning and
behavioral problems, and students with three or more adverse
childhood experiences being significantly more likely to be
unable to perform at grade level, placed in special education,
be suspended, expelled or drop out of school; and
WHEREAS, Up to 90% of youth in the criminal justice system
report exposure to traumatic childhood events; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of May 2019 as
"Childhood Trauma Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
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