Childhood Trauma in Hawai‘i

2 in 5 children in Hawaiʻi have been exposed
to traumatic experiences.

This childhood trauma can have lifelong consequences.
Our students and employees are already facing these today.

How can we prevent trauma?
How can we help when children have experienced trauma?

A first step is to find and share knowledge of the desperate challenges facing our keiki.
Therefore we are sharing here information and presentations.

“When Stress Becomes Toxic” 

 

On August 7,  2019 the Hawai‘i’s Children’s Action Network  presented an important “Keiki Talk” on the subject of childhood trauma. Keiki Talks are Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network’s premiere forum for community leaders to learn about issues affecting Hawaiʻi’s children. Previous topics have included the economic benefits of childhood investment, paid family leave, and the latest trends in early childhood policies.

This gathering featured dynamic, informative, moving presentations by Sarah Enos Watamura, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Director of the Child Health & Development Laboratory, and Co-Director of the Stress, Early Experience and Development (SEED) Research Center at University of Denver and Daniel “Ka‘eo” Goya, Program Director, Ka Pa‘alana Homeless Family Education Program of Partners in Development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danny’s presentation in movie form                                                                                Sarah’s presentation in movie form

HCAN asked us to write one word we think of when we hear “toxic stress” and “resilience.”

Here are word clouds of all the words, sized for frequency, that participants wrote for “toxic stress”

And all the words participants chose for “resilience”

 

About Keiki Talks     Keiki Talks are Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network’s premiere forum for community leaders to learn about issues affecting Hawaiʻi’s children. Previous topics have included the economic benefits of childhood investment, paid family leave, and the latest trends in early childhood policies.