Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California's first Surgeon General, wants schools in the state to screen all students for childhood trauma before they enter school.
Her proposal: Burke Harris, whom California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed as the state's first Surgeon General in January, argues that instead of punishing students, teachers should be trained to treat them.
"It could be it shows up in tummy aches. Or it's impulse control and behavior, and we offer a care plan. Instead of reacting harshly and punitively, every educator is trained in recognizing these things. Instead of suspending and expelling or saying, 'What's wrong with you?' we say, 'What happened to you?'" Burke Harris told NBC News.