HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3447        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3953

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Tami L. Gouveia and Liz Miranda

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act promoting resilience and community healing to mitigate adverse childhood and community experiences.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3447        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3953

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

An Act promoting resilience and community healing to mitigate adverse childhood and community experiences.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. The General Court hereby finds and declares that:

(i)children and adults are resilient and have the innate capacity to express normal responses to traumatic experiences and, especially with appropriate support, can overcome traumatic events and adverse community conditions to lead healthy, fulfilling lives;

(ii)traumatic childhood experiences and adverse community conditions include racism, cultural dehumanization, poverty, community violence, abuse or neglect, loss of a parent to premature death or incarceration, homelessness, family addiction and divorce;

(iii)experiencing multiple or chronic traumatic events during one’s childhood is emotionally painful and distressing, can disrupt one’s physical or psychological health, well-being and development, and can have effects that persist for years, well into adulthood;

(iv)traumatic childhood experiences and adverse community conditions can contribute to increased risk for future violence, victimization, depression, stress, mental illness, substance use and addiction and other forms of illness and disease;

(v)toxic stress can affect how the body responds to stressors, contributing to physical illness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, kidney disease, stroke, coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes and unhealthy weight gain and obesity, among other illnesses;

(vi)toxic stress caused by childhood trauma and adverse community conditions can create significant impacts across an individual’s lifespan and can have intergenerational effects, including changes in genetic composition passed from one generation to the next;

(vii)adverse childhood experiences affect thousands of children and families across the commonwealth, contribute to premature illness and death causing harm to family structures and cost the state billions in preventable healthcare and other associated costs;

(viii)preventing and mitigating childhood trauma and adverse community conditions can help children and adults thrive by lowering the risk of depression, stress, abuse, asthma, cancer and diabetes in adulthood, reducing risky behaviors including smoking and heavy drinking, improving education and employment outcomes, mitigating the potential for intergenerational trauma, contributing to thriving families and communities and reducing healthcare and associated costs; and

(ix)cost-effective policies, programs and interventions exist and can be replicated across the commonwealth to support individual healing and community resiliency.

SECTION 2. Chapter 13 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10A the following section:-

Section 10B. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of registration in medicine shall, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma, adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any physician, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage physicians to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

The training module developed shall be accepted by the board as up to 2 continuing professional development credits.

SECTION 3. Said chapter 13 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 11A the following section:-

Section 11A½. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of allied health professions, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma and adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any allied health professional, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in, and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage allied health professionals to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

The training module developed shall be accepted by the board as up to 2 continuing professional development credits.

SECTION 4. Said chapter 13 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 11D the following section:-

Section 11D½. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of dieticians and nutritionists, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma and adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any dietician or nutritionist, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage dieticians and nutritionists to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

The training module developed shall be accepted by the board as up to 2 continuing professional development credits.

SECTION 5. Said chapter 13 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 15D the following section:-

Section 15E. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of registration in nursing shall, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma and adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any nurse, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage nurses to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

The training module developed shall be accepted by the board as up to 2 continuing professional development credits.

SECTION 6. Said chapter 13 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 21 the following section:-

Section 21A. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of registration in dentistry shall, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma and adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any dentist, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage dentists to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

SECTION 7. Said chapter 13 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 42 the following section:-

Section 43. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of registration in cosmetology and barbering shall, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma and adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any cosmetology or barbering, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in, and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage cosmetologists and barbers to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

The training module developed shall be accepted by the board as up to 2 continuing professional development credits.

SECTION 8. Said chapter 13 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 84 the following section:-

Section 84A. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of registration of social workers shall, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma and adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any social worker, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage social workers to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

SECTION 9. Said chapter 13 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 99 the following section:-

Section 100. (a) As used in this section the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse childhood experiences”, traumatic childhood events, which are often chronic and can vary in severity, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development. ACEs include maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, substance use disorder, domestic violence, homelessness, incarceration, divorce, mental illness and physical and emotional neglect.

“Adverse community conditions”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

(b) The board of registration of massage therapy shall, in collaboration with experts in childhood trauma and adverse community conditions, including poverty, racism and white supremacy, and in coordination with relevant training accreditation bodies, develop or provide for, and make available for participation by any massage therapist, a professional education and development training module, including for graduation, on identifying, intervening in and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and conditions, trauma-informed and responsive care. The goal of the education and training module shall be to encourage massage therapists to support patients and their families in identifying and providing positive support, referrals for therapeutic interventions and healing and interventions to support community resiliency building. The educational requirements and training module shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the burden and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions impacting childhood, adolescent and adult health and well-being;

(ii) the impact of trauma-informed and responsive care and treatment;

(iii) the role of equitable, community-led resilience strategies to mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences and adverse community conditions; and

(iv) the inherent value and consequence of building the capacity of providers to understand and address place-based inequities on positive child development, family healing and community resiliency.

The training module developed shall be accepted by the board as up to 2 continuing professional development credits.

SECTION 10. Section 14 of chapter 18C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the words “chapter 119 to”, in line 3, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- chapter 119 and the following 3 members: (i) an individual appointed by the Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Inc.; (ii) an individual appointed by the commission on unaccompanied homeless youth, established pursuant to section 16W of chapter 6A; and (iii) an individual appointed by the commission on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth, established pursuant to section 67 of chapter 3. The task force shall.

SECTION 11. Said chapter 18C is hereby amended by adding the following 3 sections:-

Section 15. As used in sections 16 and 17, the following terms shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Adverse community experiences”, the result of policies and practices across multiple systems that contribute to neighborhood neglect, underinvestment in low-income communities and communities of color, poverty and limited opportunities to generate wealth, racism, community disruption, inequities in educational opportunities, low economic mobility, neglect of social capital, inhumane and unaffordable housing, unreliable transportation, citing of environmental hazards, limited access to healthcare and mental health services, community violence and over-policing of neighborhoods.

“Learning collaborative”, a diverse collaborative of stakeholders with lived experience and professional expertise convening regularly and frequently to engage in collaborative professional learning to strengthen their practice and enhance results. Learning community members are accountable to one another to achieve shared goals to advance research, support learning and foster improvement.

“Trauma”, individual trauma resulting from an event, series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social or emotional well-being.”

“Trauma-informed and responsive care”, services and care provided by trained adult professionals working with children, youth and families. Providers trained in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care are able to effectively respond to the impact of trauma on children’s developmental and behavioral health and wellness needs. The services provided encompass responses that effectively identify and respond to the traumatic impact of stress on those who have been impacted by and have contact with various systems, policies and practices.

Section 16. (a) There is hereby established 5 community-led learning collaboratives on childhood trauma, healing and resiliency. Each collaborative shall:

(1) assess and share within and across the other collaboratives best practices for identifying those individuals and families who could benefit from trauma-informed and responsive care, healing and resiliency-building programming and other supportive care in order to facilitate individual and family healing and community resiliency;

(2) make recommendations to the office of the child advocate, the department of public health, the department of mental health, the child trauma training center at UMass Medical School and other local and state governmental agencies those changes in policies, training, programs and practices that could more effectively serve families, prevent traumatic experiences from occurring and facilitate healing and resiliency among members of the population;

(3) identify gaps in services designed to identify, prevent and treat trauma, foster resiliency and healing and support trauma-informed and responsive care.

(b) The learning collaboratives shall be located in communities unfairly burdened by childhood trauma and adverse community conditions. One shall be located in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, 1 shall be located in Springfield, 1 shall be located in Worcester, 1 shall be located in Lowell and 1 shall be located in Lawrence.

(c) Each learning collaborative shall engage community members and families, partner with local and state organizations, universities, research centers, the office of the child advocate, the department of public health, the department of mental health and the Child Trauma Training Center at UMass Medical School as part of their learning and dissemination activities.

(d) Each learning collaborative shall, subject to appropriation, receive $250,000 annually to support staffing, partnership-based activities and learning, and other program expenses.

(e) The office of the child advocate shall oversee dispersal of funds granted to each of the learning collaboratives.

(f) Not later than February 1, each collaborative shall provide an annual report detailing collaborative outcomes, recommendations and cross-collaborative learning and community-led program enhancements to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint committee on public health, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities.

Section 17. There shall be established on the books of the commonwealth the community healing and resiliency trust fund, which shall be administered by the office of the child advocate. The purpose of the fund shall be to provide grant funding to community-led community healing and resiliency programming and learning collaboratives. There shall be credited to the fund all revenues or other financing sources directed to the fund by appropriation and any income derived from the investing of all amounts credited to the fund. Monies credited to the fund may be expended by the commissioner, without further appropriation, for investing in studies, programming and other policies to mitigate childhood trauma and support community healing and resiliency.