Dr. Glenn Saxe, Department Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at New York University Langone Medical Center, and Director of the Child Study Center, will be speaking on innovative tools available to help children suffering from traumatic experiences. Dr. Saxe will speak at KVC Health System Inc.’s annual meeting, October 18, 2012 8:00 a.m. at the Ball Conference Center, Olathe, Kansas. During the meeting, KVC will present Dr. Saxe with the 42nd Annual Everyday Hero Award for his significant contribution towards helping children and their families impacted by trauma.

In addition to his keynote address at KVC’s annual meeting, Dr. Saxe will host a two-hour introduction to TST for clinicians and other healthcare professionals serving children and families (invitation only).

Research shows that traumatic stress in children and families dramatically affects their capacity to remain in a stable and loving foster or adoptive home. Some common examples of trauma include physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, natural disasters, domestic and community violence. Untreated traumatic events can make it difficult for children to concentrate, maintain positive relationships or make appropriate choices.

KVC Health Systems, a national provider of foster care, adoption and behavioral healthcare services, has worked closely with Dr. Saxe to implement TST throughout the country, training hundreds of child welfare case managers, therapists and foster care families. In Kansas, over 475 foster care families are in the process of being trained in TST techniques via a customized online training course, face-to-face classes or self-paced workbooks. Kelly McCauley, KVC Director of Evidence Informed Initiatives and co-author of the TST workbooks, has been instrumental in the training. “The end result,” says McCauley, “is that foster families better understand the effects of trauma in the lives of the children they care for, and they are better prepared to help the children cope, stay safe and heal.”

KVC Health Systems, Inc., a 501(c) (3), provides medical, behavioral health care, social services and education to thousands of children and families across the country. Founded in 1970 as Wyandotte House, KVC Health Systems has grown and expanded its reach to include children and families supported by KVC Behavioral HealthCare organizations across Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri, West Virginia and Washington D.C. Named in 2008 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation as a best-practice organization, KVC is a leader in the use of evidence-based research and innovative tools and technology to advance the welfare of children and families in our communities.