Present. The committee a quorum is present. The committee is meeting to hear testimony on the importance of trauma and practices in education to assist students impacted by gun violence and other adversities. Miss beth of georgia, of minnesota, miss the of wilde ofiss pennsylvania, and mr. Pastor of texas, are permitted to participate in todays hearings with the understanding that their questions will come on the after all members of the subcommittee have had an opportunity to question the witness. ,ursuant to committee will 7c Opening Statements are limited to the chair and the Ranking Member. This allows us to hear from or witnesses sooner and provides all members with time to ask questions. Can you hear me all right . All right. I recognize myself now for the purpose of making an opening statement. I want to begin by acknowledging that this morning marks 18 years since the terrorist attacks that struck new york, pennsylvania, and the pentagon on september 11, 2001. Let us please take a moment to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost in those attacks. Chairman sablan thank you. This morning, we are here to discuss the federal governments responsibility to ensure that every child from the marianas to maine has a nurturing learning environment. Today, many children are prevented from reaching their full potential because they are suffering from the significant, longterm effects of trauma. In fact, 34 million children, or 45 of children, have endured an Adverse Childhood Experience that can hinder their ability to learn and grow. Extensive Research Shows that children who have experienced trauma and toxic stress are more likely to be forced into fightorflight mode. In school, this can often manifest in trouble paying attention, an impulse to fight, and depression or anger. These challenges can be further compounded by harsh school discipline, instead of helpful support, if a school is unaware of the science of trauma and toxic stress. My third grade teacher should have known this. But seriously, the trauma and stress of Natural Disasters has also affected Student Learning and wellbeing. For the over 950 Hopwood Middle School students in my district who lost their campus to super typhoon yutu, starting the new school year in femabuilt tents is certainly not an ideal learning environment especially when the students themselves had their homes lost or damaged. Damage from the storm has also forced schools to send their students to attend halfday sessions at other schools, robbing them of a full day of learning and the emotional security of having a Campus Community of their own. While we do not yet fully understand how these students will fare over time under these circumstances, studies show that over a lifetime, victims of trauma can face a higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse, greater risk of suicide, and shorter lifespan. Dr. Robert block, former president of the American Academy of pediatrics, has been widely quoted as saying, Adverse Childhood Experiences are the single greatest unaddressed Public Health threat facing our nation today. Children across the world experienced trauma, the United States is not unique in that regard, but there are specific, preventable forms of trauma that our children experience more frequently than anywhere else in the world. The most notable example is gun violence. Americas gun homicide rate for 1524yearolds is nearly 50 times higher than in other highincome countries. 50 times. According to a database maintained by the washington post, 228,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since the columbine tragedy in 1999. 228,000 students. Americans, of course, are not 50 times more violent than citizens of other developed nations. Of course not. But what distinguishes us from other developed nations is that we have failed to pass basic gun violence prevention laws that are supported by an overwhelming share of our constituents. The consequences of that failure are felt in communities like odessa, el paso, dayton, and virginia beach, which have all experienced Mass Shootings in the past three months. They are also felt by residents in chicago, st. Louis, detroit, and other cities where families live under the constant threat of gun violence. While this hearing is about implementing traumainformed School Practices, we cannot ignore the reality that much of this trauma is preventable. Reducing gun violence, ending family separations, improving access to Mental Health care, quickly rebuilding schools lost to Natural Disasters, addressing poverty, are some of the many changes we can make to improve the quality of life for children across the country. But given that we have shown little ability to address these issues, the very these we can do is help schools educate children who shoulder the burden of our inaction. More than 70 of children who need Mental Health services do not receive the appropriate care. Lowincome students of color, who are more likely to experience trauma, are often concentrated at segregated Public Schools that cannot afford critical Mental Health resources. And as a result, children of color disproportionally suffer the physical and emotional effects of trauma. A recent report by the Government Accountability office found that states are facing numerous issues supporting children affected by trauma, including funding challenges. To make matters worse, president trump, and the Congressional Republicans are further restricting Mental Healthcare at schools by repeatedly moving to slash funding for k12 education. This includes the elimination of title ii funding for Teachers Professional Development and the a program,tle iv which is designed to improve School Conditions for Student Learning. The experts here today will broaden our understanding of how traumainformed care can be integrated into learning practices, student discipline, and support services to improve graduation rates, student achievement, and school climate. They will also help us understand how congress can support traumainformed practices that are proven to help students succeed. Todays discussion is an important step towards addressing a pervasive Public Health issue that is affecting communities throughout and across the country. Thank you to all the witnesses for being here. I now yield to the Ranking Member, mr. Allen, for his opening statement. Allen thank you, mr. Chairman, thank you for recognizing the anniversary of sorry mr. Chairman, thank you for recognizing the anniversary of 9 11, and note that this discussion is particularly poignant given this date. Sadly, far too many children are affect by trauma, because of their age or reliance on adults to keep them safe, children are more vulnerable to trauma. Studies show that 26 of children will experience a traumatic event before they turn 4. And more than two thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16. What is more disturbing of the statistics surrounding children in the welfare system. 95 of children reported psychological and physical abuse. 99 reported psychological and sexual abuse. This is absolutely heartbreaking. Trauma can include any variety of frightening events such as physical and sexual abuse, cyber bullying, or the death of a loved one. These can be caused by events at home, in the community, or around the world. Twodren that face more than traumatic experiences in their life can develop reactions that negatively impact their daily lives in fact, trauma can affect a childs education and impair their learning Research Shows that there is a correlation , anden traumatic events cognitive and behavioral issues. A study of more than 1000 children from 20 large cities in the United States found that traumatic events in Early Childhood or associated with below average academic and literacy skills. In fact, i have been told in my district that if a child is reading at the level of thirdgrade by the time they finished the thirdgrade if he is not reading by then, he is more likely to have a lot of schools and has an 85 chance of the incarcerated. School staff can act as a critical support system for traumatized children and their families. If a student is acting out, failing tests or having difficulty concentrating, it may be a sign of trauma. If teachers understand what is a, test student and what they are facing, they can better accommodate and help this child needs in the classroom. However, teachers are no replacement for family and faith. , grandpas and grandmas can never be replaced in the left of a child. Faith cannot be replaced in the life of a child. Education is just one piece of supporting and shaping children. All of us in this room want to see our nations children and make sure they are loved, happy, safe and successful. In fact, in my goal when i run quitffice it is time to losing our children. There is not a person here that does not care deeply about their futures. That is why we shouldnt turn any kind of trauma experience by a child into a political platform. Instead. , we should focus on equipping families, schools and communities with the tools they youngo shape americans to be successful leaders. We have a vested and sincere interest in the wellbeing of our nations children. They are our future. This hearing will examine the effects of trauma on schoolchildren and how to identify and address them, and most importantly, how we can help students have access to is safe, supportive and Healthy Learning environment. As a point of personal privilege, i had the opportunity while we were on our district work period to visit with many school officials. I will not name the superintendent, but i had the asortunity to visit with him tears came to his eyes and he youngbed three suicides, people in that School System last year. I asked him why. Said, they are without hope. Where is the hope . Too, that isting, was given a book in a meeting two weekends ago called death on hold. I never thought somebody on death row would teach me what this gentleman, mitch, taught me when reading this book, about what he went through as a child, what he experienced in the streets, why he was on death row, and why now he is making an impact, on so many lives, particularly young people who are making bad choices. I highly recommend this book. It is required reading for members of congress, because i think they will see where the real problem lies. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I look forward to hearing our witnesses today. Chairman sablan thank you very much, Ranking Member allen. Without objection, all the members who would like to insert written statements into the record may do so by inserting them electronically by 5 00 p. M. September 20. I will now introduce our witnesses. Harris is the Surgeon General of california. She is also an awardwinning physician, researcher and advocate dedicated to changing the way our schools, the way our society, excuse me, responsys to one of the most serious, extensive and widespread public crises of our time, childhood trauma. Previously, she founded the center for youth wellness and subsequently grew the organization to be a National Leader in the effort to advance video trick medicine pediatric medicine, raise public awareness, and address the way that children exposed to experiences suffer toxic stress. Should also lead the Bay Area Research consortium to advance scientific screening and treatment of toxic stress. Dr. Nadine burke harris has published academic articles on advanced. Children with guesses in trauma she also published a book called the deepest well heating the longterm effects of childhood adversity. You have been busy, dr. Harris. Is ther. Ingrida barker associate superintendent of schools in West Virginia. She is in her 16th year as an educator. She is best six of which were teachingd to at Sandy River Middle School and three spent as a High School Administrator in charge of curriculum and instructions at riverview high my youngest happened to be Public School teachers. Servesly, dr. Barker as the title ix coordinator and works extensively to support the development of comp range of Student Supports in the county. Dr. Barker earned her bachelors french,n english and and completed a master of arts degree from West Virginia university in secondary education. Dr. Barker received a doctoral degree in leadership studies at marshall university. Ms. Joy hofmeister did i get right . , she hasing Office Released a more userfriendly system and bolstered student onety, with an emphasis ensuring children have access to opportunities to achieve. Cademic success she has revamped teacher evaluation and brought attention to the need for trauma informed instructional practices that meet children where they are. Leastnally, but not the jackson has been immersed in cps her entire life as a former student, teacher, principal, chief education officer, and now as a parent to cps students. As ceo of the Third LargestSchool District in the country, dr. Jackson is focused on improving excellence in all cps schools. Of efforts, along with those chicagos dedicated teachers and principals, have propelled cps to record breaking academic thes, and experts across country regard chicago as a National Leader in urban education. She has a masters degree and a doctorate in urban School Leadership from the university of chicago. Welcome, all of you. We appreciate all of the witnesses for being here today, and look forward to your testimony. Remind the witnesses that we have read your written statements, and they will appear in full in the hearing records. Anduant to Committee Rules practice, each of you is asked to limit your oral presentation to a five minute summary of your written statement. Let me remind the witnesses that in pursuance of the u. S. Code, section 1001, it is illegal to knowingly and willfully falsify congresspresented to or otherwise cover up any material fact. Before you begin your testimony, please remove her to press the button on the microphone. We ourselves forget doing that once in a while. Light begin to speak, the mik in front of you will turn green. After four minutes, the light signal youellow to have one minute remaining. We will let the entire panel make their presentations before we move to member questions. When answering a question, please remember to once again turn your microphone on. Dr. Ll first recognize Nadine Burke Harris. You have five minutes. Dr. Harris good morning. Thank you for this opportunity to participate in this hearing. A robust body of literature demonstrates that Adverse Childhood Experiences are highly prevalent, strongly associated with poor childhood and adult health, Mental Health, behavioral and social outcomes, and demonstrate a pattern of high rates of intergenerational transmission. High levels of adversity without the buffering partitions of a trusted caregiver and safe, stable environments lead to overactivity of the biological stress response and changes in brain structure and function, how genes are read, the functioning of the immune and inflammatory systems, and changes in growth and development. These changes are what comprise what is now known as the toxic stress response. Of American Adults have ,xperienced at least one a. C. E. And 51 have experienced four or more. Those with four or more face double the risk of seven out of 10 of the leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The original cdc research was done in a population that was 70 caucasian, 70 collegeeducated. Sociodemographic or Geographic Group that is spared. The higher the score, the more likely an individual is to also ,truggle with depression, ptsd sleep and eating disorders, and Substance Abuse. A National Study of more than 35,000 adults found that even after adjusting for the impact of sociodemographics and they are use, independently associated with as much as four times the risk of incarceration. Similarly, research has indicated that a common factor among individuals emitting Mass Shootings is a history of multiple aces. Mong the most notable effects are the effects on behavior. As likelyhree times to repeat a grade. Clear. Ence is Adverse Childhood Experiences are a Public Health crisis that require coordinated cross sector response. Scientific consensus supports two core principles. One, Early Detection and