According to Tammi Fahrney, assistant director of the Manheim Township Education Foundation (MTEF), it is one of the goals of the Manheim Township School District to encourage positive behavior intervention and support, and the topic of this year's virtual MTEF Education Forecast Breakfast fits right in with that goal. "We are talking about the value of trauma-informed care and wellness in schools and the workforce," explained Fahrney, who added that the topic is trending in education, but that the information is also important to the workforce and the community.
In July 2019, Gov. Wolf signed Senate Bill 144, making training and development of trauma-informed care practices mandatory training for school administrators, staff, and board members. "They must be trained in identifying the signs and symptoms of trauma," explained Fahrney. The training will inform participants about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Fahrney explained that the experiences could be one extreme event or a series of repeated events that have potential negative, long-term effects on a child in physical, social, and emotional ways, which can lead to high-risk behaviors and chronic health conditions, among other issues.
The keynote speaker will be Melanie G. Snyder, trauma informed specialist with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital. During the virtual event, which will be on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 8 to 9:15 a.m., Snyder will speak about how the trauma-informed environment can benefit schools and workplaces in a variety of ways. The event will also include a panel discussion with Anna Brendle Kennedy, executive director of Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation; Sharon Schaefer, director of elementary curriculum and instruction for Manheim Township School District; Dr. Pia Fenimore, pediatrician with Lancaster Pediatric Associates; and Matt Pfeiffenberger, vice president of the Health Benefits Division of Murray.
Fahrney noted that young people who have experienced trauma may go into a type of survival mode. "When they are acting in that mode, it can be hard for them to put that aside and be ready to learn," she said. "(The training will give) educators and employers tools to be prepared to recognize and respond and create a culture of respect and support."
Tickets to the breakfast are available at two tiers. The first includes a live viewing link. The second, a VIP option, adds a gift certificate to Rachel's Creperie. Purchasers may have the gift certificate mailed or donate it to a chosen Manheim Township school staff treats program. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.tickettailor.com/events/manheimtownshipeducationalfoundation/428779, by emailing administrator@mtef.net, or by calling 717-735-1751.
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