our History

Recognizing the need for a community response to ACEs and trauma.


PTICC History

Initially growing out of Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness (PEAK), PTICC has developed intentionally over time to respond to community needs around ACEs, trauma, healing, and resilience.

Recognizing the need for a community response to ACE's and trauma

  • PEAK teachers noticed behaviors in the classroom that worried them.

  • Recognizing the importance of social-emotional development for children's success in school, PEAK began supporting community early learning partner sites with the services of a behavior management coach in 2008 with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit.

  • All community early learning partner sites began a social/emotional learning curriculum (PATHS) in 2008.

  • In 2009, PEAK Managing Partner, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, begins leading and funding community responses to ACEs and trauma. UW shares their learnings with PEAK and together made plans to bring trauma information and training to the Pottstown community.

  • In 2010, PEAK began contracting with Creative Health Services, the region’s Community Behavioral Health Center, to bring a behavioral specialist into the community early learning partner sites. The behavior specialist works as a coach for teachers, assisting in the development of behavior plans, meeting with families, and supporting the referral process for more intensive services when needed.

  • To further support the community early learning staff in working with children with behavior issues, PEAK began providing in-depth professional development related to trauma in 2012 through the Institute for Family Professionals (now Lakeside Global Institute). PEAK also worked with Pottstown Family Services to support a Family Engagement Coordinator, who could assist families with their needs both in and outside of the classroom environment.

  • Community stakeholders came together at two consecutive PEAK Annual Meetings to learn more about ACEs and trauma from national experts Sandra Bloom and Roy Wade.

  • Pottstown School District administers the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) and finds that many students in Pottstown may be struggling emotionally.


Our Beginning

  • A small group of PEAK Managing Partners (Pottstown School District, Montgomery Early Learning Centers, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, Family Services of Montgomery County-Pottstown Family Center, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey) began meeting to discuss the idea of a trauma-informed community. Those discussions helped inform two grant applications - a Community Innovations Zone grant from the state and a planning grant from W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

  • Community Innovations Zone grant was awarded in July 2014

  • Pottstown School District receives a planning grant from WK Kellogg Foundation in October 2014 to explore family and community engagement strategies, leading to a primary focus area of incorporating trauma-informed practices with children and adults.

  • Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation convenes the “Pottstown Trauma Task Force” in December 2014; began working with a consultant to develop a Vision and Theory of Change


Formation of PTICC

  • A small group of PEAK Managing Partners (Pottstown School District, Montgomery Early Learning Centers, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, Family Services of Montgomery County-Pottstown Family Center, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey) began meeting to discuss the idea of a trauma-informed community. Those discussions helped inform two grant applications - a Community Innovations Zone grant from the state and a planning grant from W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

  • Community Innovations Zone grant was awarded in July 2014

  • Pottstown School District receives a planning grant from WK Kellogg Foundation in October 2014 to explore family and community engagement strategies, leading to a primary focus area of incorporating trauma-informed practices with children and adults.

  • Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation convenes the “Pottstown Trauma Task Force” in December 2014; began working with a consultant to develop a Vision and Theory of Change


Early days of PTICC

  • In February 2016, Pottstown School District took a team of administration leadership and PEAK staff to visit Austin Independent School District to observe a comprehensive social and emotional learning program. This visit was a pivotal turning point in recognizing the importance of SEL for all students.

  • PTICC Communications workgroup develops the PTICC branding and marketing strategy, including a new website, ACEs Connection page, and social media presence

  • PTICC launches to the broader Pottstown community at the June 2016 PEAK Annual Meeting, announcing the creation of the PTICC Community Meeting, a quarterly meeting for PTICC community partners

  • Pottstown School District begins working toward the implementation of an SEL pilot for the ’16-’17 school year

  • Pilot Social Emotional Learning Curriculum in grades pre-K through 9

  • Training Pottstown community in ACEs and trauma: teachers and school staff, community members, police



Sustaining and Growing PTICC

  • Full implementation of SEL Curriculum in grades pre-K through 9 with ongoing coaching of faculty

  • Engaging the Pottstown community through work with parents/caregivers and the Family Advisory Committee

  • Developing local capacity to conduct trauma trainings through a train-the-trainer model

  • Engaging the Faith-Based community to engage residents and leaders

  • Working with and providing expertise to communities throughout the region who are building trauma-informed communities; engaging with communities nationally as well