Andrews University International Center for Trauma Education & Care

03/20/2026

12/13/2025

Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the St. Joseph SDA church and the Center for Community Change on this project. If you know of a church or small group that’s interested in building trauma aware ministry practices reach out to our team.

The training sessions on trauma awareness and management training, led by Social Work Assistant Professor Dustin Young, had approximately 40 attendees, with several coming from Andrews or other local churches. 🔗 in comments.

04/24/2025

Last week, Student Missionaries participated in the Brain Architecture Game as part of a training to increase their trauma-awareness and responsiveness before they head to serve in locations all around the world! 🌏

04/24/2025

Why is preventing trauma so important?

"one in six Americans, 42% of children surveyed at one of the Center’s partner schools in Palm Beach County have four or more ACEs. Without intervention, these children are twice as likely to develop heart disease or cancer, roughly four times as likely to have a teen pregnancy, and 30 times as likely to contemplate su***de as their classmate with no ACEs.

We know the cost of ACEs to society–from Palm Beach County to the Central Valley of California–is enormous. A CDC study published in 2023 associated ACEs with an annual economic burden of $14.1 trillion in the United States, and nearly $800 billion per year in Florida alone."

👉 Read the full story: https://www.medicinalmedia.com/explore/building-communities-in-the-face-of-adversity
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a reminder that we must do more than raise awareness—we must act.

In Palm Beach County, Florida, 42% of children at one school have 4+ Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), putting them at risk for everything from heart disease to su***de.

But hope is here. In her latest essay, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris shares how the Center for Child Counseling, Inc. is leading a trauma-informed, ACEs-aware response that’s saving lives.
This is how we change the story—from crisis to care.

In solidarity with Prevent Child Abuse America, we’re proud to spotlight real solutions this Child Abuse Prevention Month.

04/13/2025

Learning together and empowering each other in caring for the hurting.

08/28/2024

Meet Our Team! 🎉 We're thrilled to introduce the second member of our amazing crew: Professor Ingrid Weiss Slikkers, our incredible executive director! 🌟 Fun fact: Professor Slikkers is the proud recipient of the 2024 J.N. Andrews Medallion, awarded for her outstanding collaborative leadership in education. 🏅 Join us in celebrating her achievements!

08/13/2024

To continue our ‘Did You Know?’ series, we're shining a light on topics that directly impact students. Let’s start with sleep!

08/08/2024

🎉 Meet Our Team! 🎉 We're thrilled to introduce the fantastic members of our trauma education program. First up is Kiersten Lechleitner, our amazing administrative assistant! With her bright smile and organizational skills, Kiersten ensures everything runs smoothly.

07/25/2024

We're launching a series called 'Did You Know,' where we'll share important facts. To start did you know that July 24 was International Self-Care Day? It’s not too late, read ways to incorporate self-care in your day-to-day life.

06/20/2024

We were excited to collaborate on a three-week intensive with students in the Andrews University Theological Seminary. Classes are co-taught by Professor Sung Kwon, associate professor of leadership, and our own Professor Dustin Young. Partners include the School of Leadership and the School of Social Work. Andrews University International Center for Trauma Education and Care is teaching a special International Critical Incident Stress Foundation course on su***de awareness specifically for these faith leaders where they will earn certificates to assist individuals in crisis.

06/18/2024