Summit County Trauma-Informed Care Coalition

Building a Resilient & Compassionate Summit County. A collaborative initiative to integrate trauma-informed principles into the heart of our community's policies, practices, and culture. 

About the Coalition

Our Mission: To acknowledge the widespread impact of trauma while building a supportive environment where every individual in Summit County can heal and thrive. 

Who We Are: The Summit County Trauma-Informed Care Coalition is a network of local partners working together across multiple sectors to create a trauma-informed community.

Our Goals: 

  • Realization: Building awareness of trauma’s impact. 

  • Recognition: Identifying trauma through better screening. 

  • Response: Changing policies to support healing. 

  • Resisting Retraumatization: Creating safe spaces for all.

What is Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)?

The Fundamental Shift: Trauma-Informed Care is a strengths-based framework that asks not, "What is wrong with you?" but "What happened to you?"  

The Six Guiding Principles: 

  1. Safety: Ensuring physical and emotional safety for all. 

  1. Trustworthiness: Transparency in operations and decisions. 

  1. Peer Support: Using lived experience as a tool for healing. 

  1. Collaboration: Leveling power dynamics in service delivery. 

  1. Empowerment: Validating and building on individual strengths. 

  1. Cultural Responsiveness: Moving past stereotypes to provide equitable care. 

Our History & The Science of Trauma

The Foundation: Our work is rooted in the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, which proved that early childhood trauma is a leading predictor of health and social challenges later in life. 

The Local Context: In response to the opiate crisis and systemic health disparities, the Summit County Opiate Abatement Advisory Council (OAAC) commissioned a deep dive into our county's needs. 

The 2025 Needs Assessment: Conducted by The University of Akron, this report gathered insights from law enforcement, SUD treatment participants, faith leaders, and healthcare providers to create the roadmap we follow today.

Stay Involved

Join the Movement:

Whether you are a healthcare provider, a community leader, or a resident with lived experience, your voice is essential to our mission.

Trauma-Informed Care Coalition Interest Form