On Friday, the Senate adopted a concurrent resolution aimed at combating childhood trauma.
House Concurrent 29, sponsored by Rep. Brooke Green (D-Boise) and Sen. David Nelson (D-Moscow), passed the full House earlier this month, and encourages state officers, agencies, and employees to become better informed on the long- and short-term impacts of severe emotional trauma on children and adult survivors. These serious traumatic events are referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, and occur before a child reaches 18 years old.
The resolution encourages the implementation of evidence-based interventions and practices, which are proven to be successful in identifying risk and helping children and adults suffering from trauma-related disorders develop resiliency and tools to heal.
Nelson said the legislation was a bipartisan effort. He and Green partnered closely with Rep. Laurie Lickley (R-Jerome) and Sen. Jeff Agenbroad (R-Nampa), both of whom serve with them on the Idaho Behavioral Health Council. The resolution was the result of the work done by the council to improve behavioral health systems in Idaho. During the last year, its members, which come from all three branches of state government, identified ways to decrease agency silos, reduce barriers to recovery and treatment, and identify any missing services.