IMPACT

Impacting Minors Perceptions & Attitudes Concerning Trauma

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Mission

Project IMPACT strives to reduce and prevent unintentional injuries through a student-targeted injury and violence prevention program that provides education and awareness about the realities of trauma.

A collaborative multidisciplinary team presents information about high risk behaviors associated with trauma and describe their respective roles in trauma response. Students engage in trauma simulations and mock scenarios. Local Fire & EMS demonstrate a vehicle extrication. Students participate in a panel discussion with a team of medical providers, law enforcement officers, and first responders.

Goals

• Educating students about the realities of trauma associated with risk taking behaviors such as distracted driving, substance use, and teen dating violence.
• Defining the medical and judicial consequences of choices that result in traumatic injuries.
• Providing student’s with resources when confronted with potentially harmful situations associated with risk taking behaviors.
• Describing the various roles of a multidisciplinary team of professionals who actively engage students in a positive manner and provide career information.

Program Outline (three-hour event)

• EMS presentation
  • Role of First Responders
  • Description of Trauma Experience
• Alcohol / Substance Use Presentation
  • Overview of Alcohol and Substances
  • Distracted / Impaired Driving
• Forensic Presentation
  • Teen Dating Violence
  • Evidence Collection
• Commonwealth’s Attorney Presentation
  • Judicial consequences related to trauma
• Simulation Stations / Student Scenarios
• Local Fire & EMS Vehicle Extrication
• Closing Panel Discussion

Referrals

Project IMPACT has a variety of programs using modular topics to meet the needs of students, school staff and parents.

Core Topics

Drinking & Driving
Distracted Driving
Substance Use
Teen Dating Violence
Forensics
Judicial Response
Trauma Experiences

Modular Topics

Bicycle Safety
Pedestrian Safety
Helmet Safety
Water Safety
ATV Safety
Guns/Hunting Safety
School Violence

For More Information

Tiara Wellman, BS
IMPACT Facilitator
Office: (804) 628-6861
Mobile: (804) 205-2659
Email: ProjectIMPACT@vcuhealth.org

Jerry Van Harris, MSW
Program Manager
Office: (804) 628-4607
Mobile: (804) 316-0152