Cherokee Point Vision 2020: Building a Trauma-Informed Community School
Focused on Systems Change Through Resident Engagement
Children Can Thrive Conference, San Francisco, November, 2014
Cherokee Point Elementary in San Diego aims tosupport systemic implementation of trauma-informed and restorative practices. In support of San Diego Unified School District’s Vision 2020 and new school discipline policies, we strive to build on Cherokee Point’s community focus by expanding its role as a neighborhood learning center, and building an environment for parents and children that facilitates communication and support, and promotes parent engagement in their child’s school. Recognizing the poverty and traumas (e.g., domestic violence, child abuse, gun/gang violence) that is prevalent in City Heights, we follow recommendations for trauma-informed practices by using an empowerment, strengths-based model that involves recognizing the impact of trauma on learning, positive relational collaboration with children and families, and creating a school where everyone feels welcome, safe and respected. Building systems change in community partners supporting resident leadership, it has leveraged resources from many community partners (e.g., San Diego Unified School District, San Diego State University - SDSU, City Heights Partnership for Children). Some highlights achieved in the past 3 years include:
1. Increased implementation of practices that support a positive school climate (e.g., a culture of care, a sense of belonging, positive relationships for the school community), 2. Increased the capacity of residents of the
Cherokee Point neighborhood to shape culturally relevant health initiatives,
3. Increased capacity and opportunity for youth leadership, and
4. Increased access to in-home and school-based health services for Cherokee Point families.
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Our goal is to support trauma-informed and restorative practices at Cherokee Point Elementary (CPE) and to contribute to building a school that serves as aneighborhood learning center where residents and youth feel a sense of belonging and positive relationships. CPE has been an exemplary community school, led by Principal Godwin Higa who has cultivated relationships with community members and was recently appointed by the mayor as a Commissioner on Human Relations Commission. He holds monthly Principal’s Chats that brings community partners to his school to educate residents about issues important to them (e.g., domestic violence, immigration rights, nutrition). In collaboration with police and community residents, he has supported monthly curfew sweeps and community events that educate and protect youth in City Heights. CPE hosts a Primetime 6 to 6 program, and provides breakfast and lunch every day for all students, provides English, computer, and parenting classes 2 to 3 times a week, and distributes 4,000 pounds of food once per month for the community. Surveys given to about 290 parents in 2011 indicate that they are very pleased with the school and education of their children. For example, almost 100% of the parents reported that they “agree” or “strongly agree” that CPE: “is an inviting place for students to learn”, “is clean and well-maintained”, “motivates students to learn”, “has a supportive learning
environment”, and “has adults that really care about students”.
Implementation of practices that support a positive school climate
There have been a series of trainings with teachers, parents, and youth on building positive relationships and restorative practices. Teachers met and developed a Peace Path for mediating conflicts, and a Restorative Practice Policy was added to the school handbook and instructions for substitute teachers.
Principal’s Chats that address residents’ needs Computer and English classes and Parent Leadership meetings 2 -3 times a week
SDSU faculty from several departments (e.g., Child and Family Development – CFD, Criminal Justice, School of Nursing, Counseling and School Psychology – CSP) have supervised over 200 graduate and undergraduate students who help teachers in classrooms, tutor parents in English and computer classes, and work with Parent and Youth Leaders. Guided by parents’ feedback, by research on the effects of trauma on the brain, and by our intention to emphasize prevention, early childhood education has been a key focus. In collaboration with community partners (SDSU, Family Health Centers of San Diego) parents of preschool children were given over 30 sessions of a First Five program (Pathways to Competence) that focus on promoting positive discipline, parent-child attachment, and social competence in young children. In addition, over 100 students, trained in CA Preschool Learning Foundations and National Association for the Education of Young Children guidelines, help in preschool and special education classes, and lead lessons from a music-based learning readiness program (Circle of Education) that addresses
socio-emotional skills affected by trauma (e.g., relaxation, self-care, empathy, cooperation, anger control). Parent Leaders have led parenting workshops focused on positive discipline, building relationships, and incorporating fun family time as part of self-care. Youth Leaders have led lessons in classrooms on bullying and positive communication, have honored their parents and teachers in ceremonies , and have reached out to children with special needs. Their compassionate actions have contributed to a positive school climate that values each student, their parents, and their teachers.
SDSU students help in preschool classes and lead lessons on social
skills, empathy, anger control, and relaxation. SDSU students and Youth Leaders present lessons in 4th and 5th grade classes on positive conflict resolution
CPE teachers promote a positive school climate
CPE honored by SDUSD District for High Quality Indicator 12: Supportive and Safe Environment
Similarly, Youth Leaders guided the grant activities. In the after-school program with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders,
adolescents from local high schools and community groups, and SDSU students, youth participated in trauma informed lessons that address self-care, conflict resolution, cultural sensitivity, multiple intelligences,
mindfulness, resiliency, coping skills, and restorative practice. They identified social justice concerns important to them, that included, bullying and school safety, domestic violence, gang violence, drugs and drinking,
homelessness, immigration rights, and animal rights. Engaging in service learning projects, they have created 23 I-Movies and YouTubes that have been shown to children, parents, and teachers at Cherokee Point Elementary, as well as in the community. For example, they have completed research, developed skits, wrote poetry, created a rap on bullying, and filmed videos on Animal Rights (English/Spanish), Homelessness, and Immigration Rights. Youth Leaders have shown these videos and led presentations in 4th and 5th grade classrooms with their peers. They began outreach to local and global organizations, focused on solutions for their service learning projects, and organized campaigns to collect donations for homeless people in City Heights .
Building Sustainable Resident Leadership with a Strengths-based Train-the-Trainer Model
The voices of parents and residents were sought and served to guide the project activities. During 9 months of family-community meetings, residents identified needs that included: how they can help their children succeed in school, relaxation and health promotion activities for parents, positive discipline and parenting tips, and coping with domestic and community violence. In a close relational collaborative partnership with school and community members, the residents determined the priorities, which led to workshops on trauma and depression, how to help their children with homework, and Common Core State Standards. Zumba classes were offered and Parent Leaders were trained as instructors. Following best practices for trauma-informed care, Parent Leaders worked with community partners, developed and individualized lesson plans, and began educating others about the impact of trauma and depression on their children and their families, self-care coping strategies, and resources in the community. Between 25 and 40 residents have attended a series of over 8 trauma-informed workshops, with 10 – 15 parent leaders actively planning and leading the trainings. Parent Leaders are also helping promote social competence in young children; they are helping to lead Pathways to Competence parenting lessons and Circle of Education music –based lessons, and are actively welcoming new parents to the school and encouraging their involvement in their child’s education.Parent Leaders teach about trauma informed care
Youth Leaders work on service learning projects and learn about self care (e.g., zumba, mindfulness)
Both parent and youth leaders have been very successful and actively engaged in promoting change for their communities. They have led workshops and created educational videos that have impacted hundreds of children and parents at CPE, and have broadened their influence by presenting at community events that are attended by leaders in the community representing SDUSD, San Diego City Council, San Diego Police, San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention, and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, among others.
The Youth Leadership program has expanded and CPE Youth Leaders graduates can now continue leadership training and community service at Wilson Middle School and Youth Voice. Youth Voice Leaders work directly with the Mid-City Police Juvenile Services Team, and like the CPE Youth Leaders, have successfully advocated for issues important to them (e.g., gang violence, underage drinking). Strong collaborative relationships with Mid-City Police and Harmonium, and many others (e.g., San Diego County, SDSU, Center for Community Solutions) have led to funding from County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), the Office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the CA Department of Public Health. Leveraged resources and long-term partnerships between multiple systems (e.g., school, police) allows for increased opportunities for Youth Leaders to learn about leadership and advocacy, community safety, and sexual assault prevention. These community and school partnerships have created the opportunity for continued inter-generational mentoring for the Youth Leaders from age 8 to age 20.
SD District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis
Parent Leaders with SD City Councilmember Marti Emerald Parent Leaders with Cindy Marten, Superintendent, SDUSD Youth Leaders’ letter requesting a shelter for homeless people in City Heights resulted in Mayor Filner, Bob
McElroy (President of Alpha Project) and others visiting CPE; their visit, the plight of homeless people, and the CPE Youth Leaders’ advocacy for them, was featured on the local news. Afterwards, they went to a City Council meeting where their video on homelessness was shown and where they requested trauma-informed homeless shelters. In addition, Youth Leaders’ video on family and gang violence film was presented at the Live Well, San Diego Summit on Family Violence Prevention and Response in May 2014. In the film Youth Leaders share their views on how trauma and toxic stress impact the quality of life for children and families. Hosted by San Diego County Board of Supervisor Dave Roberts, the presenters also included Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten, HHSA Director Nick Macchione, and Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman. The Live Well Summit was an important historical event as several systems signed a Memorandum of Agreement that their agency would transform their policies and procedures as trauma-informed. After their film was shown, Youth Leaders read a “Pledge of Non-Violence” and gave the audience a hopeful, inspirational message for the future. These are two examples in which Youth Leaders were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and solutions regarding a problem they feel impassioned about and to meet with politicians who can effect systems change for their community.
Cherokee Point Youth Leaders join Mayor Filner and Bronwyn Ingram in visiting downtown shelter run by Alpha Project Mayor Filner is interviewed by
Cherokee Point Youth Leaders Youth Leaders request San Diego City Council Members trauma informed shelters for
homeless people in City Heights At a recent Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) meeting for the Hoover Feeder Cluster, Cherokee Point Parent Leaders met at Monroe Clark Middle School and voiced their views on the educational needs of their children. They also presented at the Community Violence Prevention Summit at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, sponsored by the Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention. Following welcoming and keynote speakers by the District Attorney and key community members, Cherokee Point Parent Leaders conducted 3 workshops in Spanish on developing the Trauma-Informed Community Schools (TICS) program. Additionally, they presented on TICS at a recent San Diego Human Relations Commission meeting.
The Parent and Youth Leaders broadened their influence beyond the Cherokee Point Elementary neighborhood as they have increasingly volunteered to speak at community meetings. Parent Leaders spoke at the School Bus Express, shared their views on equitable school funding, and are represented in the state-wide LCFF video created by TCE. Their
perspectives were shared at “Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court Summit” in a presentation given by Principal Higa in Anaheim.
Increased Capacity of Residents of the Cherokee Point Neighborhood to Shape Culturally Relevant Health Initiatives Expanding Resident Empowerment to County and State Policies
Youth Leaders with SD County Board of Supervisor Dave Roberts at the Family Violence
Increased access to in-home and school-based health services for Cherokee Point Families
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Access to a permanent health home, as well as increased health awareness and education, are integral building blocks of healthy communities. Our goals are to increase access to a health home and create a sustainable in-home and school-based behavioral wellness response team that would support our children, families, and community. To support this
comprehensive and seamless approach to physical and mental health and wellness, faculty from the SDSU Department of Counseling and School Psychology (CSP) and the School of Nursing collaborated with the Cherokee Point neighborhood to create a pipeline of learning, licensure, and practice. New policies and procedures guided the development of culturally diverse In-Home Counseling Teams based out of SDSU Center for Community Counseling and Engagement (CCCE). All policies, procedures and
documentation were created for the In-Home Team, Community Wellness Response Team (CWRT) including: Fact sheet, Home Visitation Safety, Referral Form, Request for Services , flyers, and service logs to monitor status of referrals, counseling services, and clinical supervision.
The sustainable health home pathway includes: Project Impact at Cherokee Point Elementary for students support during their school day with CSP MFT (marriage and family therapy) graduate students. CPE students and families can also visit the Health and Wellness Center at Central Elementary School for all families residing in Cherokee Point neighborhood for health support in the Clinic during the school day. A major project during year one was the health walk to the Health and Wellness Center at Central Elementary, to introduce this valuable resource to the Cherokee Point community. The Central Health and Wellness Center has seen 453 visits from CPE students in the last three years. Two immunization clinics provided 1,909 flu
immunizations to infants, children and adults. In partnership with the University of California San Diego Shiley Eye Mobile and the City Heights Partnership for Children, 418 students actively participated in vision screening, with 107 students requiring secondary full eye examination. With La Maestra Clinic and Mid-City Pediatrics, more services are available for Cherokee Point neighborhood families for health support. In addition, Community Health Navigator positions have been created for CPE Parent Leaders, who serve as a bridge and help refer families in need to available resources that can support their healing. As Community Health Navigators, Parent Leaders have an opportunity for continued building of leadership and employment skills while helping children and families residing in the
Cherokee Point has received national recognition for a model community school. Harvard University, San Diego Unified School District -SDUSD, Johns Hopkins educators, Rady’s Children’s Hospital, and Echo Parenting visited Cherokee Point, where staff and parents shared their activities that focus on trauma informed and restorative practices and SDUSD’s Vision 2020.
Some Highlights
Harvard University and SDUSD Supt. Marten and Administrative Team visit CPE Johns Hopkins University
Building Confidence in Being Involved in School, Speaking in Public, and Talking to Teachers
“I have more confidence to talk to parents, because I remember at the beginning when I started coming to the program I was afraid to talk to anyone. Right now, I can give out information to parents. I can stand in front in of a group and express my opinions. I even can raise my hand, something I never did before. The more one comes here, the more confidence you gain and the more one learns to talk to other parents and invite them to come to the workshops here at school.”
Cherokee Point and TICS project activities have been published in National and Regional Websites, and featured in the news: http://acestoohigh.com/2013/07/22/at-cherokee-point-elementary-kids-dont-conform-to-school-school-conforms-to-kids/ http://acestoohigh.com/2013/03/20/secret-to-fixing-school-discipline/
http://www.speakcityheights.org/2013/07/at-cherokee-point-kids-dont-conform-to-school-school-conforms-to-kids/ http://www.socialjusticesolutions.org/?s=Cherokee+Point
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/jun/11/city-heights-school-sets-bar-school-discipline-ref/ KPBS News http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1AN7lTZkJ0&noredirect=1 Channel 8 News
Components of the program have been presented at professional conferences (e.g., National Association of School
Psychologists –NASP, CA Council on Family Relations) , and an article will be published in a 2015 special issue on “Restorative Justice and School Consultation: Current Science and Practice” in the Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation. CPE Youth Leadership videos can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/user/CpYouthLeadership
Improving Relationships with Their Children and Families
“Well, it has helped me in many ways, mainly to understand my children’s behaviors and be more understanding with them. In general to be a better parent by spending more quality time with them, listening to them, having a warmer atmosphere at home and a better relationship with them. All of these have helped me be a better mother.”
Motivating Them to Build Relationships with Others in their Community and To Access Resources When Needed
“You became aware that there are a lot of resources, that being informed brings change to our family life, our communities, our society, in everything.” “… because before my life was only being at home, trapped, that I fell into a depression and now my life is different. Now I came to school, share with more parents, I am aware of what is happening at school with my children, how much things we are carrying affect them …….”
Benefits for Parent and Youth Leaders
Increased Self-Efficacy in Youth Leaders
To examine change over time, two sets of paired t-tests were run that examined cohorts of Youth Leaders’ survey scores over time (2012 – 2013; 2013 – 2014). Analyses showed Youth Leaders report they are less nervous and more confident about public speaking, felt more efficacious in helping others with problems”, and reported more social support from adults.
Trauma-Informed Community Schools: Contact Information Godwin Higa
Principal, Cherokee Point Elementary
Commissioner, Human Relations Commission
[email protected] Audrey Hokoda, Ph.D. Professor and Chair
Child and Family Development Department, College of Education San Diego State University
Dana Brown
Project Director, Trauma Informed Community Schools
Commissioner, Commission on Gang Prevention & Intervention
Executive Director, Youth Voice @ Mid-City Police Division [email protected]
Dorothy L. Zirkle, Ph.D., RN, PHN
Lecturer/Chair Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Systems, School of Nursing San Diego State University
Alan Mobley, Ph.D. Associate Professor
School of Public Affairs, Professional Studies and Fine Arts San Diego State University
Through leveraging with school and community partners and shared leadership, a collaborative project was created that brought diverse groups together for common goals. A primary focus of the project has been developing capacity, empowerment, leadership skills, and active engagement of resident leaders, both youth and adult, who are raising attention and developing community solutions for key problems and issues they target for change. These leaders are now trained and poised to continue making and sustaining systemic changes to promote the health and wellness of the community. The project used a multi-systemic approach to develop education, prevention, and intervention services regarding youth and adult leadership, positive school climate, accessto in-home and school-based health services, restorative justice, and trauma-informed care. Several different systems were leveraged to bring additional resources to the community, in addition to the activities funded by the grant (e.g., university students and faculty from 8 disciplines within 2 colleges at San Diego State University, the Principal and staff at Cherokee Point Elementary School, Price Charities, City Heights Partnership for Children, National Conflict Resolution Center, and more).
The project offered successful community forums, parent classes, and leadership training for parents (conducted in Spanish or bilingually), youth leadership, restorative practices training and implementation within the school and homes. Using a train-the-trainers model, youth and adult residents attended a series of workshops developed by community partners, and were then mentored to lead the workshops for other groups. Youth and parents have now presented and advocated with project partners at a wide range of high visibility events (e.g., LCFF, City Council of San Diego, San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention, Human Relations Commission, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, Hoover Cluster meetings).
Thank you to the “village” who has collaborated with our team on behalf of the school staff, children and families we all serve.
