Food insecurity is a significant stressor in family households and a driving force to devastating health consequences in many populations globally; it is associated with health outcomes including obesity, depression, adverse mental health outcomes as well as poor sleep outcomes (Royer et al., 2022; Nagata et al., 2019). A trauma-informed intervention to reduce food insecurity in Los Angeles County would involve a trauma-trained and multidisciplinary team that provides three important services: community education on trauma and its impacts, nutrition education, and food distribution. This program would include trained and experienced members including mental health professionals, nutrition professionals, health educators, program assistants and members of the community. Our program uses a public health framework within the primary and secondary stages of prevention. Participants are provided access to education and training so that they become more aware, sensitive, responsive, and informed on trauma; This can shift towards a continuum of change and incorporates elements of connection, communication, and healing in the community (Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, 2016). Secondary prevention is also involved by reducing the impact of an existing public health issue such as a disease or illness (Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, 2016). The assessments will screen for food insecurity to prioritize local communities who are at risk.
This program impacts three levels of the Centers for Disease Control’s socioecological model: individual, relationship, and the community level (Centers for Disease Control, 2022). At the individual level, the mental health services will provide mental health support, increase knowledge and self-efficacy in utilizing healthy coping mechanisms. Training on trauma and ACEs will increase awareness and knowledge so that community members can have a more trauma-informed lens. Nutrition knowledge will also be provided so that community members can make health-informed dietary decisions. At the relationship level, the support groups will foster safety and trust within the community. Lastly, this program impacts the community level by addressing the food insecurity hardship within their environment. The partnerships with food banks and farms will work together to address issues within the community’s environment and increase access to healthy food.
This program will practice Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s principles of safety, empowerment, and peer support for a trauma informed approach (p. 11, 2014). The sense of safety is essential and along with the understanding that re-traumatization can occur. Members of the team will foster safe environments and provide explanations and services that allow individuals to feel safe and calm. The second principle addressed is empowerment through education. The staff are empowered by trauma-informed education and care and can provide a physically and psychologically safe environment. The participants are also empowered through the services and education curriculums to have a more trauma-informed lens. Lastly, peer support is another essential principle within this program. Through peer support, individuals feel safe, they can connect with others using stories and offer unique perspectives for healing and recovery.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2022, January 18). The social-ecological model: A framework for prevention. Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html
Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (2016). Trauma informed philanthropy: a funder’s resource guide for supporting trauma-informed practice in the delaware valley. Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://philanthropynetwork.or...raumaGUIDE_Final.pdf
Royer, M. F., Ojinnaka, C. O., Zhang, X., Thornton, A. G., Blackhorse, K., & Bruening, M. (2022). Food insecurity and adverse childhood experiences: a systematic review. Nutrition reviews, 80(10), 2089–2099. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuac029
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] (2014). SAMHSA’s concepts of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. Retrieved March 24, 2023 from https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/use...es/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
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