Addressing Childhood Trauma in Forsyth County

Evidence continues to emerge about the negative social-emotional and health impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, and toxic stress. Young children who have experienced significant trauma and toxic stress are more likely than their peers to have developmental delays and difficulty with self-regulation, which impacts their success in school.

Persistent poverty, housing instability, hyper-segregation, and systemic racism contribute to this trauma and impact the ability of parents and caregivers in our county to help their children learn and grow. The Trust understands that creating the conditions for our youngest children and their families to thrive requires multi-faceted solutions. These solutions must begin with a strong foundation of knowledge about the root causes of trauma and toxic stress in our county and what gaps and opportunities exist within the current system of supports for families.

The Trust plans to support efforts that directly engage the communities most impacted by trauma and toxic stress in the development of trauma-informed early childhood systems in Forsyth County. Collaboratives in the community have mapped gaps and assets and formulated recommendations for building a more trauma-informed county. This opportunity is to continue implementation of system change strategies that create the conditions for all sections of our society to thrive. This could include shifting policies or practices at institutions or organizations interacting with young children, or the parents of young children, to ensure that they take trauma sensitive approaches. It could also include broad-based communications or outreach campaigns or advocacy efforts. We understand that stakeholder coordination may also be needed.

Applicants should be existing or past grantees of the Great Expectations initiative and be willing to connect to the larger community-wide planning and mapping process on addressing adverse childhood experiences and coordinate with existing collaboratives.

Before applying, consider the following questions and requirements:

• Is your organization or work a good fit with the Trust?
• Are you located or operating in North Carolina?
• Does your work focus on improving quality of life and health for North Carolinians with low incomes?
• Do you primarily support populations experiencing poverty?
  • These populations include: individuals living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level; the uninsured; and those eligible for Medicaid and/or the free/reduced school lunch program.
• Are your clients (or focus population) residents of North Carolina? If yes, then you may fit our geographic criteria.

Organizations the Trust WILL fund:

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations
• Governmental entities

Organizations the Trust WILL NOT fund:

• Individuals
• Faith-based organizations without 501(c)(3)
• Type III supporting organizations
• Organizations providing pass-through funds to an ineligible organization

Eligible? Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Back to all funding opportunities.