DE HCR32

Designates May 2019 as "Trauma Awareness Month" in Delaware and calls upon residents to educate themselves on trauma's impact.

Cites CDC-Kaiser Permanente research showing that childhood exposure to adverse experiences (ACEs) including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction significantly increases risk of physical and psychological illness in adulthood.

Notes that 14% of Delaware adults were exposed to 4 or more ACEs and were 8 times more likely to have mental health diagnoses and 7 times more likely to have substance abuse problems.

References Governor Carney's Executive Order #24 (October 17, 2018) directing state agencies to adopt trauma-informed best practices and integrate trauma-responsive care.

Acknowledges state agencies' development of employee toolkit on ACEs awareness, trauma recognition, and resiliency, plus creation of "Compassionate Champion Award" to recognize outstanding trauma-informed service providers.