Delaware DHSS will train 1,000 staff members based on trauma

The first state has entered into a partnership that could change the way we view trauma and mental health.

The Department of Health and Social Services has teamed up with Wilmington University for a yearlong initiative, that will train and educate 1,000 staff members about these problems. 

We're told there's 26 members who are currently being trained on the Trauma Informed Approach, who will then teach the hundreds of staff members. Melanie Rosser is a social work case manager at Thurman Adams State Service Center in Georgetown and is actually one of those 26 trainers. 

This training digs deeper with the understanding that trauma can affect you emotionally, physically, and mentally. And it doesn't have to happen to you directly to affect you. 

Rosser says, "You don't ever forget the trauma, you learn to deal with the trauma. If it's not nurtured in the way that it needs to be then it is a hindrance as an adult. If we can help them understand their trauma, then we can help them. We need to understand their behaviors when they walk into our doors."

We're told training started back in January and they'll finish up in two weeks. Those 26 trainers will break up in teams of two and host up to five to seven classes in May. 

We're told there are 15 service centers across the state and every staff member will be equipped and ready.