Pathways to Resilience kicked off the new year with a Pathways Learning Network Session on opportunities for promoting healing-centered and trauma-responsive policies and programs in 2023 – at both the federal and state levels. To provide context for the session, Pathways to Resilience co-director Tanya Schwartz discussed the priorities of the nine new Governors:

 

In reviewing their publicly available campaign materials, action plans, statements, and interviews, Lizzy Schlichting and Sarah Tocher from the Pathways to Resilience team identified the priorities of new Governors that align with a trauma-responsive and resilience-promoting agenda.

One new Governor – Maryland Governor Wes Moore – has expressly committed to adopting a trauma-informed lens across the Governor’s office. His Roadmap to Healing plan addresses a variety of sectors and initiatives, including governance models, cross-sector programs, and community-based initiatives.

Governors’ Priorities

In Maryland and in other states, the new Governors share many priorities related to supporting the well-being of their residents across the realms of education and early childhood, justice, homelessness, physical and behavioral health, and equity.

 

Following are examples of some of the Governors’ focus areas:

Education and Early Childhood

The new Governors in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have discussed universal pre-k programs; Arkansas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have all expressed interest in school-based mental health services, and Pennsylvania intends to focus on violence prevention in schools.

Justice

The new Governors in Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania are focused on re-entry programming to reduce recidivism. Additionally, Arkansas and Nebraska have discussed mental health programming in correctional facilities.

Homelessness and Housing

Many new Governors have expressed concerns about homelessness and housing, including Oregon’s new governor declaring a State of Emergency, and like Arizona, Hawai’i, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, is committed to wraparound care and poverty reduction programs.

Health

Many new Governors are interested in expanding access to care, such as Massachusetts, Maryland, Oregon, and Pennsylvania – these states are also focused on substance use and recovery. As noted above, several states are interested in school-based mental health services. Additionally, Governor Hobbs of Arizona has prior experience as a social worker.

Equity

States have expressed a focus on cross-sector health programs and policies related to addressing social determinants of health and promoting healthcare equity. Arizona, Maryland, and Oregon Governors have all committed to addressing racial equity, and Arizona is focused on equity for Native and Tribal communities.

Additionally, we are pleased to learn that many of the new First Spouses have backgrounds in and have supported efforts that align with the Pathways to Resilience goals. Traditionally, the First Spouses of Governors champion causes that are important to them and their constituents, leveraging their platforms and resources to direct awareness. Pathways to Resilience is guided by a steering committee of Governor’s First Spouses, and looks forward to connecting with the new First Spouses.

First Spouses of Governors

  • Patrick Goodman, Arizona – Children’s Trauma and Grief Therapist and Psychiatrist
  • Jaime Green, Hawai’i – Children’s Trauma and Grief Therapist and Psychiatrist
  • Dawn Flythe Moore, Maryland – Children’s Trauma and Grief Therapist and Psychiatrist
  • Aimee Kotek Wilson, Oregon – Social Worker
  • Lori Shapiro, Pennsylvania – Social Worker
  • Bryan Sanders, Arkansas – Political Consultant
  • Suzanne Pillen, Nebraska
  • Donna Lombardo, Nevada – Real Estate

 

Non-Partisan Talking Points

As new Governors take office and state legislative sessions begin, Pathways to Resilience believes this is an opportune time to communicate the importance of promoting actionable strategies for addressing trauma and instilling resilience. We have released a set of non-partisan talking points describing the prevalence of trauma and adversity to help make the case that preventing and addressing trauma and promoting healing-focused policies and programs should be a priority for 2023 and beyond. We are excited about the priorities of this new cohort of Governors and are eager to support the design and implementation of their trauma-responsive policies and initiatives.

For more information from this Pathways Learning Network session, check out the blog on Trauma-Responsive Policies and Programs in 2023, which outlines opportunities to promote healing-centered trauma-responsive policies and programs at the federal and state levels.