The City of Lancaster and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health are pleased to announce they are the recipients of a trauma informed community grant from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) in the amount of $299,804. The grant runs through March 2023.
A trauma informed community is focused on being inclusive and recognizing the strengths of the residents to create healing community. A trauma informed community strives to do no harm and recognizes past and ongoing traumas such as historic and structural racism, exclusion, isolation and the chronic, daily stressors of concentrated poverty and exposure to community violence.
The grant provides training resources for neighborhood groups and residents as well as all City departments in trauma informed principles. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health will work in partnership with current City initiatives to synthesize strengths, and listen to residents and city employees to identify opportunities to increase awareness, education, and training. “The opportunity to work with Penn Medicine and Lancaster General on becoming a trauma informed community will strengthen our work both inside city government and in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Danene Sorace.
“Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health has a deep commitment in making sure everyone in our community stays healthy, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This partnership with Lancaster City shows how we continue to work together every day with our community partners to provide care far beyond our hospitals, offices, and outpatient centers,” stated Alice Yoder, Executive Director Community Health Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
The City of Lancaster is committed to building a stronger and more equitable Lancaster, block by block. The City has made commitments to racial and social equity across all departments and within four strategic priorities of strong neighborhoods, safe streets, secure incomes and sound government.
Penn Medicine LG Health has served as the backbone organization convening the community and providing education and training on the impact that positive and adverse childhood experiences (PACES) have on health and well-being, and steps organizations can take on the path to become trauma informed. LG Health will work with the City of Lancaster to strengthen policy and systems change, and increase awareness, education, and training on PACES. Together, the two entities will strive to enhance current initiatives and implement trauma informed policies.
The grant will also provide Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and Lancaster City to continue working together with a dedicated Lancaster City Trauma Informed Training Specialist to enhance current initiatives and provide overall guidance on the a comprehensive strategy and pre-established targeted goals.
Questions or for more information please contact:
Penn Medicine LGH: Mary LeVasseur, Health Promotions Specialist
mary.levasseur@pennmedicine.upenn.edu