Trauma Response Resources for Families and Congregations
The Newtown, CT, school shooting calls for Unitarian Universalist responses. Find resources for helping children, families, and communities process trauma, disaster, and violence on a page by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Resource Development Office.
- Helping children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters: What community members can do.
A guide by the National Institute for Mental Health, for teachers, parents, clergy and community. Download the 20-page PDF, which is well presented and accessible.
- Managing Your Distress in an Aftermath of a Shooting
This is an excellent, well-written guide for parents and other adults by the American Psychological Association, published 2008. One of the best ways to help children is to put ourselves—parents, teachers, congregation members—on a path towards healing. This document could be very helpful.
- Tips for Parents of School Age Children: Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of School Shootings
Aimed specifically at parents working with their children. From the American Psychological Association, 2007.
- Helping Young Children Deal with Violence in the News
PBS Parents series about talking to your kids about the news.
- A Resource for Young People Who Have Personally Experienced Trauma
The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement has many resources online that can help in times of crisis.
Recommended Titles
- Trauma in the Lives of Children: Crisis and Stress Management Techniques by Kendall Johnson.
- Children and Trauma—A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Cynthia Monahon.
- A Terrible Thing Happened—a story for children who have witness violence or trauma, by Margaret M. Holmes—addresses the need for children to find a place to speak about their experiences.
Crisis Planning/Preparation
- Children's Ministry offers information on Critical Lockdown Procedures.
- The U.S. Department of Education offers information on Emergency Planning.
Promote Congregational Safety
- Protecting Your Church from Crime and Violence. Nine chapters. Particularly recommended: "A Shooter in the House—A Police Officer's Advice on How to Prevent and React to, a Gunman at Church." The entire document is 24 pages long.
- Confronting Gun Violence at Church. Nine chapters. Particularly recommended: "Should Our Church Have an Armed Security Guard?" The entire document is 22 pages long.
For more information contact religiouseducation @ uua.org.
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Last updated on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.
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