Contact: Kathryn Schick, (608) 246-5501
Wisconsin, Under the First Lady, is Leading the Nation on Trauma Informed Care
MADISON – First Lady Tonette Walker released the following statement today thanking lawmakers for passing House Resolution 443 (H. Res. 443) yesterday. H. Res. 443, sponsored by Representative Mike Gallagher (R – WI) and co-sponsored by Representative Danny Davis (D – IL), passed the United States House of Representatives yesterday evening with overwhelming, bipartisan support on a voice vote.
Our nation’s Representatives believe in the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, and recognize toxic stress as a major public health crisis. I applaud them for passing this crucial legislation and raising awareness about the importance of Trauma Informed Care at a national level.
Each of us has a role to play, and I know House Resolution 443 will initiate important conversations throughout our nation, allowing us to come together, collaborate, and implement changes across systems as we work towards making our states, and our nation, fully trauma-informed.
A special thanks to Representatives Mike Gallagher and Danny Davis for their leadership on this bill. This truly would not have been possible without you, and I look forward to continuing our work on this important public health issue together.
H. Res. 443 recognizes the importance, effectiveness, and need for Trauma Informed Care and encourages its use within existing federal government programs and agencies.
First Lady Tonette Walker’s initiative, Fostering Futures, also works to promote Trauma Informed Care. Fostering Futures works to transform systems and utilizes Trauma Informed Care to address the effects of ACEs and toxic stress on the lives of children and families throughout Wisconsin. Fostering Futures launched Phase III in January, which includes eight counties, seven state agencies, and two tribal nations.
