With the passing of AB 132, California has launched efforts to establish Basic Needs Centers across its 116 community college campuses by June of 2022.  Basic Needs Centers are designed to encompass services to address food security, housing, mental health, safety, and other fundamental needs. Incorporating trauma informed principles into basic needs work is a critical part of helping students feel heard and supported.

The first part of this webinar will feature practical strategies on how to integrate a trauma informed approach to food security, as applied by Leah’s Pantry, a leading voice for trauma-informed nutrition education. This portion of the webinar will also feature a facilitated conversation by Adrienne Markworth, Executive Director of Leah’s Pantry, and practitioners from Mount San Antonio College and San Diego City College to explore how trauma informed strategies have been integrated into the basic need’s framework on each campus.

The second portion of the webinar will explore how basic needs work informs larger campus conversations around equity and access including topics like staff training, instructional design, and financial aid policies.