A three-phase public health program across southwest Oklahoma will hit the road this summer with the intent of teaching residents that childhood trauma can create chronic illnesses as an adult.
The first phase includes a poverty simulation and a Bridges Out of Poverty training, said Debra Johnson, community engagement and health planning manager for District 5 of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The district includes 10 southwest Oklahoma counties.
The second phase of the program centers on the film “Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope.” The session will also include training on the impact childhood trauma has on an individual for the rest of their life and the manifestations on their health and well-being.
The last phase of the training will involve a workshop that deals with self-healing and the identification of available and needed supports and protective factors for the community, Johnson said.
Residents in the 10 counties are welcome to attend any session, but would benefit by attending all three as they build upon each other, Johnson said.
A question-and-answer session will follow each session as health officials and residents explore the reasons for poverty and poor health outcomes for adults and children in the state. Topics will include the poverty rate, available assistance, jobs and skills building.
Oklahoma had the highest concentration of children with Adverse Childhood Experiences, according to 2019 data from the National Survey for Children’s Health, the latest that is available, Johnson said. ACES can include abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, divorce, incarceration of parents, mental illness by family members and family substance abuse.
Following are the schedules for the program by counties. Some information may not be listed because sites have not been confirmed.
Beckham County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the new Indoor Activity Center.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. Nov. 15 at the Indoor Activity Center.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Indoor Activity Center.
Caddo County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. June 8 Anadarko location pending.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. July 12 in Anadarko.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 9 in Anadarko.
Cotton County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. on July 19 Walters location pending.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. on Aug. 16 in Walters.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. on Sept. 13 in Walters.
Greer County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. Aug. 23 Mangum location pending.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. Sept. 20 in Mangum.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in Mangum.
Harmon County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. Sept. 27 Hollis location pending.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. Oct. 11 in Hollis.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. Nov. 8 in Hollis.
Jackson County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. June 1 Altus location pending.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. July 6 in Altus.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 2 in Altus.
Kiowa County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. Nov. 1 Kiowa Technology Center in Hobart.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at either KTC or Kiowa Co. Health Dept.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 Hobart location pending.
Tillman County
Phase 1: 9-12:30 p.m. Dec. 20 Frederick location pending.
Phase 2: 9-11:30 a.m. Jan. 10 Frederick location pending.
Phase 3: 9-10:30 a.m. Feb. 1 Frederick location pending.
Updated information and the confirmed sites will be shared on various county health department Facebook pages as those details are secured. Comanche County is not yet on the calendar but will likely have Phase 1 in late August, Phase 2 in September, and Phase 3 in October, according to Johnson.