Understanding Trauma and Healing in Adults
Explore this resource to learn about trauma, how traumatic events impact families and staff, and how to promote healing, resilience, and family well-being.
Mental Health
Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness.
Mental Health Planning for Disaster and Trauma
Explore how staff can plan and prepare before a natural disaster for the mental health needs of children, families, and staff that follow in the wake of an event.
Sensitive Conversations with Families
This podcast supports Early Head Start and Head Start staff to hold sensitive conversations with families on topics occurring outside of the classroom.
Supporting Children Facing Trauma
Supporting children who are facing trauma is a major part of the Head Start Heals campaign. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and supports for children who have experienced trauma fosters healing and resiliency.
Strengthening Staff Trauma-informed Practices
Learn how to strengthen trauma-informed practices for staff. Review strategies staff can use to practice trauma-informed care. Find examples of how to support staff in a trauma-informed program.
Head Start Heals Campaign
The Head Start Heals campaign increases awareness about how Head Start programs are uniquely qualified to address trauma and promote resilience in young children and families. Explore resources to support this work.
Trauma and Resilience
Explore this collection of resources to learn how trauma affects young children and find strategies to reduce its effects in children and adults.
Attachment B: Office of Head Start Guidance on Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach
Explore the critical role Head Start programs play in buffering the impact of trauma by promoting resilience for children, families, and staff. Learn more about implementing a trauma-informed approach.
Understanding Stress and Resilience in Young Children
Ongoing research continues to show us how adversity and toxic stress in early childhood can have a negative impact throughout a person's life. These videos are designed to help them understand what toxic stress is, what it does to a person, and easy things to do to help prevent it.