Trauma History: Separation from a parent due to incarceration

Background:

Sofia has lived with her grandmother for the past six months after her father was incarcerated. While she is in a stable home environment, she misses her father deeply and often worries about when—or if—she will see him again. Her grandmother is supportive, but Sofia struggles with feelings of abandonment and confusion. She often masks her emotions in public, but small stressors lead to emotional meltdowns.

Questions to Consider

1. What behaviors might be misinterpreted as defiance or attention-seeking in Sofia’s case?  How can we change our language from attention-seeking?

2. How might Sofia’s separation from her father be impacting her relationships with peers and adults at school?

3. What trauma-informed strategies could help Sofia feel more secure during transitions?

4. How can we create a safe space for Sofia to express her feelings in ways that don’t overwhelm her?

5. How might we collaborate with her grandmother to support consistency between home and school?

Trauma History: Exposure to domestic violence and housing instability

Background:

Mark and his mother recently moved into a shelter after fleeing a violent home situation. He witnessed several traumatic events and has had little consistency in his daily life over the past year. He often appears anxious and on edge and struggles to trust adults. Mark has difficulty following multi-step directions and exhibits impulsive behavior in class.

Questions to Consider:

1. How can we reframe Mark’s challenging behaviors as communication of unmet needs?

2. What role does predictability play in helping Mark feel safe and regulated at school?

3. What supports or strategies can be put in place to help Mark manage his energy and impulse control?

4. How might we approach teaching staff about trauma responses in young children without labeling Mark?

5. What community resources might be helpful to Mark and his family during this transition?  (You can find resources on the Student Support and Wellness webpage on the Henricoschools.us site)