Peace4Tarpon : A Trauma-Informed Community Initiative

What is Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care?

• Trauma can result from experiences of violence; physical, sexual, and institutional abuse; neglect; and disasters that induce powerlessness, fear, recurrent hopelessness, and a constant state of alertness. These experiences can be dehumanizing, shocking or terrifying, singular or multiple compounding events over time, and often include betrayal of a trusted person or institution and a loss of safety. Unresolved trauma becomes a societal issue when victims' lives spiral into situations of substance abuse, incarceration, or homelessness.
• Trauma-Informed Care is based on the understanding that the impact of violent experiences and damaging relationships affects the survivor's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and ecomonic well-being.

What is Peace4Tarpon?

The community of Tarpon Springs has a unique initiative called Peace4Tarpon which is working to address trauma and reduce its impact on the community by making Trauma-Informed resources available to the public:

• A trauma-informed webliography is available through the San Diego Change Agents Developing Recovery Excellence (CADRE). [Click here to download list]
• A bibliography of trauma-informed community resources, prepared by the Tarpon Springs Public Library, contains recommended books and other materials in the library and selected websites on preventing or helping with difficult or traumatic experiences. [Click here to download bibliography]
• The library catalogshows the trauma-informed community resources available to be checked out or placed on hold.[Click here to view the trauma materials in the catalog]
• DVDs are available that discuss an overview of trauma-informed care. They are available through the Tarpon Springs Library, the Tarpon Springs Human Resources Department, or any City department head.
• Our Community Resource Guide is an extensive and up-to-date listing of organizations that provide essential services to the community. [Click here to download booklet]

Peace4Tarpon has partners throughout the city including many of our churches, all departments of City government including our Police Department and Fire Rescue, businesses, residents, schools,and many service organizations including neighborhood family centers, Boys and Girls Club, Shepherd Center, and many others. The complete list can be found on our website. This broad-based support is so unusual for a city, that Mayor David Archie was invited to Washington, DC to present at the federal level what the City of Tarpon Springs is doing.

For More Information...

Much more information about Peace4Tarpon Trauma Informed Community Initiative can be found at our website www.peace4tarpon.org and our facebook page www.facebook.com/Peace4Tarpon. There is an extensive Community Resource Guide available on the website. One of our most important resources is 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares. By simply dialing 211, you will be connected with someone 24/7 who can connect you with resources for many different kinds of challenges you or your loved ones may be facing.

In Tarpon Springs, let us be known as a community that is connected, caring, and constantly striving to improve how we can serve and care for each other.