Domestic violence is a widespread issue affecting millions of households across the world, casting a dark shadow on children’s lives. The ripple effects reach educational institutions, leaving teachers and educators to handle more than just academics. Addressing this critical concern, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council has launched the “Working With Children and Youth Academy” to equip educators with the skills and knowledge they need to help their students navigate these difficult experiences.

The Growing Crisis

Approximately ten million children each year witness domestic violence in their homes. As staggering as these numbers are, they only scratch the surface. Domestic violence does not just disrupt the lives of adults; it inflicts long-term emotional and psychological scars on children. In many cases, the children affected are attending school, often showing signs of secondary trauma that educators may not immediately recognize or understand.

Educating the Educators

The academy is designed specifically for educators teaching from elementary through high school levels. As the front-line guardians of children’s emotional and intellectual growth, teachers need to be equipped to handle not just academics but also the social and emotional facets of their students’ lives. This is why the academy provides a holistic approach to teacher training.

Core Topics Covered
The curriculum of the academy covers a variety of essential topics:
• Dynamics of Domestic Violence: Understanding the multifaceted aspects of domestic violence is crucial for early intervention and effective response.
• Introduction to Trauma: This topic provides foundational knowledge about trauma, helping educators identify symptoms and adapt their teaching strategies.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE): Focusing on the long-term impacts of domestic violence on children, the course unpacks how ACE can affect academic performance and behavior.
• Creating a Trauma-Informed Classroom: Educators are given tools to create an environment that is sensitive to the needs of children experiencing trauma, thereby facilitating better learning outcomes.

A Collaborative Effort
The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council collaborates with subject matter experts in domestic violence, thereby ensuring that the academy’s courses are up-to-date, factual, and deeply insightful.

Education has always been considered a sanctuary for children, a place where they can grow, learn, and become the best versions of themselves. However, for children who are victims of domestic violence, school can also be a battlefield of emotions and hidden scars. The “Working With Children and Youth Academy” offers a glimmer of hope, arming educators with the resources they need to turn the classroom into a haven where every child has an opportunity to thrive.