Y-Lab’s interdisciplinary Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (TLPI) employs a host of advocacy strategies to ensure that all students, including those impacted by trauma, succeed at their highest levels in school and in life. TLPI defines trauma to include harms stemming from individual adverse experiences as well as from structural inequities like racism.
TLPI began in 2004 as a partnership between Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) and HLS and is now fully a project of HLS. The interdisciplinary team provides legal advocacy to students and families; partners with students, families, and school staff to transform school cultures; and brings the voices of educators, students, and families together to advocate for systemic change so all youth can reach their potential and thrive.
TLPI also conducts groundbreaking research through partnering directly with schools and districts to support them to create and sustain trauma-sensitive, racially equitable school cultures where all students and staff experience a sense of community and belonging.
Law students participating in the Education Law Clinic help further TLPI’s mission by employing knowledge from interdisciplinary research in the fields of education, psychology, neurobiology, and others to advance the interests of young people impacted by trauma through legal representation and in the policy arena. They do this through (1) providing direct legal representation for families of students with learning differences; (2) Engaging in state-level education policy advocacy, i.e., Safe and Supportive Schools; and (3) Supporting secondary school students to uplift their voices about what they need in order to do well in school and develop their advocacy skills through TLPI’s Students Speak Initiative.
Learn more at https://traumasensitiveschools.org/
