Welcome
The City of Cleveland is in the process of instituting the following actions in an effort to transform our recreation centers into Trauma-Informed Care Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers:
Trauma-Informed Care:
Impact of Trauma-Informed Care
A program, organization or system that is trauma-informed realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.
- Training: All Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center (NRRC) staff members are participating in on-going professional development designed to assist them in developing an in-depth understanding of what toxic stress/trauma is; its impact on a child’s overall development; the signs/symptoms; and strategies to effectively interact with youth and adults exhibiting these signs or symptoms without re-traumatizing them.
- Social Support Services Specialists: Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers are staffed with a social work-trained, trauma-informed care specialist who works closely with NRRC staff to identify youth exhibiting symptoms of trauma or toxic stress and connects those youth and their families to the appropriate community-based resources and support services.
- Operating Standards: The City is working to create operating standards that define expectations and guidelines for establishing high quality trauma-informed care NRRCs. This will ensure consistency in terms of organizational practices and environment quality across all of the City’s NRRCs.
- Policies, Practices and Procedures Based on Trauma-Informed Care Principles: The City is reviewing and revising NRRC policies, practices and procedures to align them with trauma-informed care principles. This is an essential step in our efforts to create an organizational culture in each NRRC that fully embraces a trauma-informed care approach to daily operations and human engagement.
- Youth Employment and Expanded NRRC Programs: The Office of PIOYYA believes that by providing meaningful employment opportunities that are connected to each youth’s educational and career goals, we can help our youth build key competencies required for successful career development that will result in future economic independence. We provide both summer and year-round employment opportunities for youth as well as summer stipend-based community service programs.
Additionally, all Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers offer programs beyond traditional sports and recreational activities. These expanded programs are aimed at providing youth and the community access to center-based resources, programs and activities that address the root causes of violence; promote healing, wellness, resiliency and self-efficacy; and support our residents in developing the skills and knowledge required to thrive.
Programming is focused around six (6) areas: Youth and Adult Education; Job and Career Readiness; Health and Wellness; Youth Leadership Development, Mentorship and Community Service;, Arts; and Sports and Recreation. - Diversion and Reentry: The Office of PIOYYA also works closely with the Community Relations Board to connect “high risk” and non-adjudicated youth, as well as formerly incarcerated youth with the appropriate resources and support services required to prevent youth crime,reduce recidivism and assist youth with smooth transitions back into the community.