FOCUS Trauma Notifications

Research shows that exposure to violence and trauma can seriously undermine a child’s ability to learn, form relationships and focus appropriately in the classroom.  The Napa County Office of Education “Focusing On Children Under Stress” (FOCUS) Program is designed to decrease the effects of a child’s exposure to violence and trauma.  FOCUS will help children achieve academically at their highest levels despite any traumatic circumstance(s) they may have endured. FOCUS supports children exposed to violence and trauma through improved communication and collaboration between first responders (law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency medical responders, etc.), schools and community resources.

If a first responder encounters a child who may have been exposed to a traumatic event, that child’s information is included in a FOCUS Notification that is sent out to the school site’s designated official.  The school site official will notify the child’s teacher(s).

​A simple “FOCUS Notification” alerts the school that this child may have been exposed to a traumatic incident (i.e. domestic violence, child abuse, death in the family, witness to a crime, loss of home due to a house fire, etc.) and may exhibit or develop academic/behavioral problems.  No specific details about the incident are given, just one simple request:  To focus on the child and handle them with care.

FOCUS was created by the Stanislaus County Office of Education. NCOE appreciates their partnership in sharing FOCUS resources.