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Making Baltimore A Trauma-Responsive City

Courtesy of Baltimore Cease Fire

With so many of Baltimore's challenges in the news over the past week -- and as the number of homicides this year hits 200 -- we turn to some of the city's political leaders to explore new approaches to a future less riven by violence. City Councilmembers Kristerfer Burnett and Zeke Cohen join Tom to discuss the Baltimore City Trauma-Responsive Care Act.

The bill, introduced in late July by Councilman Cohen and 13 co-sponsors and up for a vote by the Health Committee later this  month, would create a task force to harness the resources of all relevant city agencies to better serve youth who've been traumatized by violence and dysfunction.   The measure would also establish systems for measuring which programs and practices are best at mitigating and preventing trauma to children and their families.

Also joining us in studio are Frederick Douglass High School senior Bryonna Harris,  who helped the council members draft the legislation and gave testimony at City Hall about the trauma she and her classmates face in Baltimore City.  And  Letrice Gant, co-founder of Baltimore Ceasefire 365, talks about the outcome of this past Ceasefire Weekend events, and the impact the Cease Fire movement is having on the culture of the city.  And we take your calls and comments.

The conversation was livestreamed on WYPR's Facebook page, and you can watch the video here.

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Host, Midday (M-F 12:00-1:00)
Rob is a contributing producer for Midday.