Partnering With Trauma Survivors to Create a Grassroots Demand for Trauma-Informed Approaches

Established in collaboration with the Office of Consumer Affairs at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc., the New York City Trauma-Informed Learning Community (NYCTIA-LC) represents a unique partnership between the community, local government, and trauma survivors. The NYCTIA-LC is comprised of individuals with lived experience who are committed to learning about trauma and trauma-informed approaches, advocating for the creation of trauma-informed environments, and the use of these approaches in behavioral health. This article will chronicle the development and evolution of the NYCTIA-LC and explore how local government and individuals who have been directly impacted by trauma can partner to consider a community response to this crisis.