The Need
Trauma touches everyone. Over 60% of adults report at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), and 1 in 6 report four or more. These adversities — like abuse, neglect, and household instability — alter brain development, increase risks for mental and physical illness, and disrupt relationships.
But trauma doesn’t stop with individuals. It ripples into families, classrooms, courts, and hospitals. In Louisiana, which ranks 49th in child well-being, children are disproportionately impacted — with some of the highest rates of multiple ACEs in the nation.
The cost is staggering: the annual economic toll of childhood adversity across North America is estimated at $748 billion. In Baton Rouge, where poverty and violence are high, trauma is one of the greatest barriers to our city’s health, safety, and long-term flourishing.
Capital Area Trauma Collaborative (CATC)
The Capital Area Trauma Collaborative (CATC) is a multidisciplinary network of therapists, healthcare providers, educators, judges, and community leaders working together to disrupt the cycle of trauma. Founded in 2024, CATC began with a focus on supporting children and families in the foster care system and has grown into a broad collaborative committed to reducing trauma across the Capital Area.
CATC also serves as a regional hub for Whole Health Louisiana — meaning it connects local systems and leaders to a statewide initiative working to expand trauma-informed care across Louisiana. As a hub, CATC ensures that Baton Rouge not only strengthens its own network of care, but also contributes to shaping a trauma-wise Louisiana.
