42 U.S.C. § 280h–8: Recognizing early…

Summary

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must give information, resources, and technical help to early childhood care providers and other professionals. The materials will show how to spot young children who may be hurting from trauma, including trauma tied to a family member’s substance use, and how to respond to protect the child and support the family. The guidance must teach warning signs and risk factors, suggest age‑appropriate ways to talk with and care for affected children, offer response options and referrals to evidence‑based services, and encourage whole‑family approaches to keep families together when safe. The Secretary will work with a task force to create best practices. These materials do not change the rules of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, Head Start, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Title 42, §280h–8

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Dissemination of information

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall disseminate information, resources, and, if requested, technical assistance to early childhood care and education providers and professionals working with young children on—

(1)ways to properly recognize children who may be impacted by trauma, including trauma related to substance use by a family member or other adult; and

(2)how to respond appropriately in order to provide for the safety and well-being of young children and their families.

(b)Goals

The information, resources, and technical assistance provided under subsection (a) shall—

(1)educate early childhood care and education providers and professionals working with young children on understanding and identifying the early signs and risk factors of children who might be impacted by trauma, including trauma due to exposure to substance use;

(2)suggest age-appropriate communication tools, procedures, and practices for trauma-informed care, including ways to prevent or mitigate the effects of trauma;

(3)provide options for responding to children impacted by trauma, including due to exposure to substance use, that consider the needs of the child and family, including recommending resources and referrals for evidence-based services to support such family; and

(4)promote whole-family and multi-generational approaches to keep families safely together when it is in the best interest of the child.

(c)Coordination

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall coordinate with the task force to develop best practices for trauma-informed identification, referral, and support authorized under section 7132 in disseminating the information, resources, and technical assistance described under subsection (b).

(d)Rule of construction

Such information, resources, and if applicable, technical assistance, shall not be construed to amend the requirements under—

(1)the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);

(2)the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.); or

(3)the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 7132, referred to in subsec. (c), is section 7132 of Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4046, which is not classified to the Code. The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is subchapter C (§ 658A et seq.) of chapter 8 of subtitle A of title VI of Pub. L. 97–35, as added by Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5082(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–236, which is classified generally to subchapter II–B (§ 9857 et seq.) of chapter 105 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 9857(a) of this title and Tables. The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is subchapter B (§ 635 et seq.) of chapter 8 of subtitle A of title VI of Pub. L. 97–35, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 499, which is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 9831 et seq.) of chapter 105 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 9801 of this title and Tables. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), is title VI of Pub. L. 91–230, Apr. 13, 1970, 84 Stat. 175, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1400 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1400 of Title 20 and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Substance Use–Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, also known as the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.

§280h–8 Recognizing Early Childhood Trauma Related to Substance Abuse