The Agency of Human Services created the AHS Trauma Coordinator position in 2006 in recognition of the prevalence of trauma victims that access services through its departments and offices, and to ensure services for persons who have survived a traumatic event are sensitive and responsive to their special needs.  The Trauma Coordinator works to assure  that key decision-makers, planning staff, program administrators and service providers are cognizant of the origins of trauma, the effects of trauma on survivors, and the possibility that re-traumatization may occur during the provision of services, or while trying to access services or benefits.  The Coordinator, in collaboration with agency staff and stakeholders, seeks to identify and eliminate those practices identified as having a negative or re-traumatizing effect on trauma survivors.

The Trauma Coordinator promotes the delivery of all agency services through a trauma informed system of care. To accomplish this goal, the Trauma Coordinator  works with each of its departments and offices, and in partnership with survivors, family members, advocates, trauma services providers, federal, state, and local agencies, behavioral health and substance abuse professionals, private citizens, and others to deliver trauma-sensitive and informed services to all individuals and families served by the Agency of Human Services.  For more information, please contact the AHS Trauma Coordinator, Sherry Burnette, at 241-4576 or sherryb@wpgate1.ahs.state.vt.us .