K 459: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Trauma-Informed Care Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 459 BY: M. of A. Solages MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Trauma-Informed Care Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, Traumatic experiences affect millions of individuals in New York State and can affect the mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, economic, and social well-being of an individual; and WHEREAS, Adverse childhood experiences, referred to as ''ACEs," can be traumatizing and, if not recognized, can affect health across the lifespan of an individual and, in some cases, result in a shortened lifespan; and WHEREAS, ACEs are recognized as a proxy for toxic stress, which can affect brain development and can cause a lifetime of physical, mental, and social challenges; and WHEREAS, ACEs and trauma are determinants of public health problems in New York State such as obesity, addiction, and mental illness; and WHEREAS, Trauma-informed care is an approach that can bring greater understanding and more effective ways to support and serve children, adults, families, and communities affected by trauma; and WHEREAS, Trauma-informed care is not a therapy or an intervention, but a principle-based, culture-change process aimed at recognizing strengths and resiliency, as well as helping people who have experienced trauma to overcome those issues in order to lead healthy and positive lives; and WHEREAS, Adopting trauma-informed approaches in workplaces, communities, and government programs can aid in preventing mental, emotional, physical, and social issues for people impacted by toxic stress and trauma; and WHEREAS, Trauma-informed care has been promoted and established in communities across New York State, including many different uses of trauma-informed care being utilized by various types of entities; and WHEREAS, The Department of Family Assistance and the Department of Mental Hygiene provides substantial resources to better engage individuals and communities across New York State to implement trauma-informed care; and WHEREAS, Numerous state agencies have integrated trauma-informed approaches into programs and grants that those agencies administer, and those agencies could benefit from closer collaboration; and WHEREAS, State recognition through a trauma-focused awareness month will help to deepen the understanding of the nature and impact of trauma, the importance of prevention, the impact that ACEs can have on brain development, and the benefits of trauma-informed care; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Trauma-Informed Care Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.