Advocacy & Policy

The Advocacy and Policy project was created to identify opportunities to contribute to policy change that incorporates the latest research on ACEs and resilience.

During COVID 19 in support of city workers and residents, as we all navigated the #COVID-19 #ShutDown #StayHome followed by #ReturnToWorkplace #ReOpening, the workgroup members are sponsoring a series of virtual cafes to help #TakeCarePHL, for city workers and residents, that are open to anyone.

These virtual cafes are designed to relax and practice tools for home and workplace that individuals and organizations can use to help reduce stress.

The Secondary Traumatic Stress Workgroup is gathering tools that are used by City Departments, Unions, and other Workplaces that can be shared across our city to help build wellness in our workforce, caregivers, and community and to reduce the risk of traumatic stress. We redirect our current longer term work towards making available the virtual cafes.

Have you wondered how Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), ACEs and Community Resilience are linked? If you read the recent news articles highlighting the pain endured by Philadelphia Police officers, SEPTA train operators, Teachers, and Substance Use Professionals, you can see the impact STS has and its potentially preventable negative outcomes. Supporting workplace health supports healthy communities and reduces likelihood of events leading to ACEs - it is "trauma preventive."

Our Work

Toolkit for Wellness - Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress & Other Traumatic Stress in the Workplace

The Secondary Traumatic Stress Workgroup is gathering tools that are used by City Departments, Unions, and other Workplaces that can be shared across our city to help build wellness in our workforce, caregivers, and community and to reduce the risk of traumatic stress.

Virtual Cafes

With the advent of COVID and the expanded recognition of the impact of racial trauma, and the need to change how people work together, this workgroup launched a publically accessible Virtual Cafe Series.

The series shared information on the biology of stress and stress management and practiced these tools with participants, followed by real stories of workplaces grappling with stress and how they have incorporated wellness and resilience strategies. Videos of the first two in the series are here.

Secondary Traumatic Stress and Resiliency Programs for City Workers

PATF formed a City Council Hearing Coordinating Committee to work on bringing the topic of Secondary Traumatic Stress before the Philadelphia City Council, which was held on December 7, 2018.

Philadelphia ACE Task Force Policy and Advocacy

Policy and Advocacy Workgroup

Active project groups include:

STS & Resiliency Toolkit - identifying and publicizing local resources on Secondary Traumatic Stress
Participating in the Campaign for Trauma Informed Care-Community Action Network (CTIPP-CAN)
If you would like to get involved in PATF Policy work or have other questions or ideas, please contact philadelphiaacetaskforce@gmail.com.