A Better Tomorrow

One in every four children will experience violence, abuse, or some other traumatic event by the time they reach preschool.

These experiences can cause lifelong harm to a child’s mental and physical health. Saint Luke’s Hospital Crittenton Children’s Center pioneered Trauma Smart® to reach these children as early as possible.

Trauma Smart is recognized as a leading practice for addressing childhood trauma by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Results show Trauma Smart children are less anxious and emotionally reactive, and they are better able to build trust and focus in the classroom.

Most of all, they leave Trauma Smart prepared to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Reducing the negative impact that trauma and violence have on children today makes a better tomorrow.

Trauma Smart strengthens the whole learning environment. It gives every adult in the school community—teachers, staff, bus drivers—the understanding and practical tools to help children develop the social and emotional skills they need to succeed. It gives schools effective ways to engage parents in the development of their children.

From big schools to small ones and from urban neighborhoods to rural towns and farms, the Trauma Smart team works across the country with any community that wants to help every child be fully prepared for kindergarten.

Trauma Smart exists thanks to the generosity of:

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Health Forward Foundation
• Missouri Foundation for Health
• REACH Foundation
• Hall Family Foundation
• Sarli Family Foundation
• Victor E. Speas Foundation