Prior to my arrival at the Crisis Center two years ago, I spent 20 years in the children's mental health system as a clinical social worker.  During my tenure as a child protective investigator, school social worker and an executive director, I worked with children and their families who were struggling from the aftermath of trauma. I learned that trauma takes a toll on people and when it is not effectively treated, it can have negative, long-term consequences on the life of the trauma victim.

I'll never forget 11-year-old Michael, who I met in 1995. He was being held at a Manatee County juvenile justice facility for repeated car thefts. As I got to know Michael, I learned about his trauma. He started getting into trouble when he joined a neighborhood gang at age 9.... READ MORE