Recent federal and state policy changes — including proposed legislation such as HR1, the threat of federal government shutdowns, and shifting administrative priorities — have far-reaching consequences for individuals and families already living with vulnerability. Policies that disrupt access to healthcare, nutrition assistance, housing stability, and income supports can function as structural stressors, compounding trauma and exacerbating existing inequities.
In this Trauma Training Tuesday session, Gina Plata-Nino and Aaliyah Bannister-Batie draw on their extensive experience in federal systems, state government, policy advocacy, and public communications to examine how policy decisions translate into lived experiences for communities on the ground. The session will explore how uncertainty, bureaucratic disruption, and loss of benefits impact mental health, trust in systems, and help-seeking behavior — particularly for populations facing poverty, marginalization, and chronic stress.
Participants will gain a trauma-informed understanding of policy as a social determinant of health and well-being, with a specific focus on healthcare access and food insecurity. The presenters will also discuss how professionals across sectors can anticipate policy-related stressors, communicate with greater clarity and care, and support individuals navigating systems during periods of instability and change.