Founders' Reflection: TREC’s Journey Toward a More Compassionate World.
Our transformational journey with our Trauma Resilient Educational Communities (TREC) Model began at Diego Valley East Charter School in El Cajon, CA on July 31, 2012. Dana Brown showed up, unannounced, and asked to meet with then Acting-Principal Craig Beswick (who is now the Vice-President of School Development Division, Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation) and they had a several hours-long meeting.
Dana inquired about starting a youth leadership group at Diego Valley East which was titled Our Students of Leadership, Empowerment & Service (OurSOLES). When Craig shared with Dana that he wanted to bring spirituality into education, she reflected later that she knew then she wanted to work with Craig for the rest of her life.
Launching OurSOLEs that fall, the students learned about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact from trauma, building resilience, and they were requested to lead a community service project. Several of the youth leaders developed a presentation which they led before Diego Valley East staff.
Craig and Dana began co-facilitating trauma-informed / resilience-building professional development training with the coalition of the willing. As the requests continued to come in, they knew this research and science-backed knowledge would support the healing-centered campuses, staff, students, and their families. At this juncture, Craig, Dana, and the team created a comprehensive model of individual and organizational certificates and accreditations delivered through staff trainings, consultative meetings with school staff, and resiliency courses for students.
When Craig shared with Dana that he wanted to bring spirituality into education, she reflected later that she knew then she wanted to work with Craig for the rest of her life.
Initially, they called their model Trauma-Informed Career and Community Schools (TICCS) which ultimately evolved into the Trauma-Resilient Educational Communities (TREC) Model. OurSOLES youth leadership group evolved into the first TREC resiliency program, Students of Unity, Respect, Consciousness, and Energy (SOURCE).
The TREC team is working with all of the Learn4Life and Flex schools. Eighty Five percent of all resource centers will be TREC Accredited by the end of 2025, which is the process of sustainable transformation through staff being Certified Trauma-Resilient Professionals, completing an anonymous Strengths & Needs Assessment, the TREC team supporting the Self-Study Groups with the development of their Sustainability Action Plan and SMART Goals, and supporting the growth of resiliency courses for students.
Our TREC team is manifesting our vision to cultivate a more compassionate world.
TREC EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Steadying the Summer: Resources for Families and Caregivers.
Summer can be both a welcome pause but also a source of stress for families. With children and adolescents out of school, daily structure shifts and the needs at home often increase. This is a good time to revisit the Parent Toolkit available year-round on the TREC website, which centers on the whole-being of the family using the 10 R’s of family wellness: Relax, Reflect, Respond, Rules, Rituals, Routines, Relationships, Resources, Realistic Expectations, and Resilience.
The toolkit includes resources for parenting children who have experienced trauma, recognizing that summer can bring unique challenges when school-based supports are no longer in place. Parents will find guidance on how to respond with understanding, rebuild trust, and support emotional regulation during unstructured times.
Also included are short animated videos that introduce children to simple mindfulness and meditation practices. These tools can be calming and help the entire family maintain emotional balance during the long summer days.
The Power of Play in Building Strong and Resilient Families.
Play isn’t just for toddlers. It’s a vital part of parenting at every stage of development! From peek-a-boo with infants to imaginative storytelling with preschoolers, pickup basketball with teens, or collaborative video games with young adults, play builds connection, encourages emotional expression, and strengthens resilience.
During the school year, busy routines often leave little room for spontaneous fun. But summer shifts the rhythm. With kids home and schedules more flexible, it’s the perfect time to reintroduce play as a central part of family life. Not every moment has to be planned or productive. Often, the best memories come from shared laughter, small adventures, and letting curiosity lead the way.
For children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, play can be especially important. It provides a safe and supportive space for exploring feelings, building trust, and fostering healing. Play gives parents and caregivers a unique way to model emotional regulation, create a sense of safety, and show up with presence and patience.
Enjoy this short video from TREC Director Staci Roth as she shares why play is such a powerful tool in building strong, resilient family relationships.
The TREC Parent Course has become a valued tool and an effective resource for parents and caregivers. Developed as a public resource in collaboration with Learn4LifeHope, the no-cost course is based on the science of PACEs: Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences, helping us to understand the impact of trauma and offering tools and practices that can be applied for the benefit of the whole family.
The program is offered free for all parents and guardians and has also become an effective educational component for social services programs. Last year, the South Carolina Department of Social Services adopted the TREC Parenting Course as its professional development training program for foster parents.
Register now for the TREC Parenting Course and get immediate access!
