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Oklahoma Senate
Sen. Scott to work with local schools to address student stress from ACEs
(L-R) Sen. Paul Scott, Rep. Sherrie Conley, First Lady Sarah Stitt, Newcastle Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Kristi Ferguson, Newcastle Public Schools Superintendent Melonie Hau, and Duncan Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Merry Stone at
Sen. Paul Scott recently joined First Lady Sarah Stitt, other state officials and school administrators to discuss efforts to treat and prevent stress caused from childhood trauma. Guests viewed the documentary, “Resilience”, which sheds light on this growing problem among Oklahoma students.
“Our kids are under a lot of stress on a daily basis for many reasons. We, as leaders, administrators and teachers, have a moral and professional obligation to do what we can to figure out what is causing that stress and take proactive measures to treat it and protect our youth from a life-time of negative long-term effects,” said Scott.
“Resilience” explains new research about the biological syndrome known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Researchers have found that toxic stress can lead to hormonal disruption affecting children’s mental, emotional and physical development. Children suffering from ACEs have been found to be a great risk for disease, homelessness, incarceration, and early death. “Resilience” also focuses on the nationwide movement to help America’s youth by utilizing new science and therapies to protect children from toxic stress.
“Children deserve to have every opportunity to reach their full potential and follow their dreams. However, major childhood trauma is leading many to a life of poverty, addiction and crime,” Scott said. “Together, we can ensure a better future for them, and I’m looking forward to working with our local schools to find ways to do that.”
The Duncan senator was able to invite administrators or counselors from four local schools to the event. Representatives from Dibble, Newcastle, Duncan and Lindsay joined him. He will be reaching out to other schools in Senate District 43 in the coming months to share the documentary and discuss how those schools are addressing childhood trauma.
