The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has awarded a grant to United Way of the Midlands for Resilient Richland, a new initiative to recognize, prevent and treat trauma among children and youth in Richland County.
Resilient Richland (RR) targets preventing and mitigating the trauma that can inhibit young people from growing into thriving adults. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are one label for trauma experienced by children and youth during their peak development through age 18. While family stress and dysfunction aren’t dictated by income, these problems are more pervasive and generally more severe among families and children experiencing poverty. Research indicates that the proportion of children who experience ACEs rises steeply as income drops, particularly for children who experience four or more ACEs.
Foundation funds will support a coalition and plan to develop Richland County into a community that recognizes, prevents and treats trauma and build resilience to adversity. The plan will also address data collection for planning, evaluation and coordination and state and local policy scans to address policy barriers to reducing trauma.
“Knowing that children and youth living in poverty experience a much higher rate of trauma, we are grateful to have the opportunity to support Resilient Richland,” says Donna Waites, Foundation Senior Program Director. “The United Way of the Midlands is to be commended for its efforts to build a coalition and plan to develop Richland County into a community that recognizes, prevents and treats trauma and builds resilience to adversity.”
