Oftentimes, this newspaper has asked community members, organizations and others to help make a difference for the betterment of the area.

These calls sometimes go unanswered. Other times, they aren’t needed. Just recently, Akron Children’s Hospital and Covelli Enterprises teamed up to fill a gap that is present in communities across the country as they hired a new community education outreach coordinator in the pediatric health care provider’s school health services division.

Nicholas Morio, who is set to fill the role, will work with schools in Akron, Canton and the Mahoning Valley to educate teachers and staff about the impact childhood trauma can have on learning, while also helping create positive classroom experiences for students.

“There is a great need for mental and behavioral health services, especially among children and young adults,” Sam Covelli, owner of Covelli Enterprises, stated. “At Covelli Enterprises, we see it as our duty to support organizations that are at the forefront of addressing this critical need within our local communities, such as Akron Children’s.”

According to an article from Mental Health America, experiencing trauma at a young age disrupts a child’s ability to relate to others and manage emotions. This can lead to poor in-class behavior, which can reduce learning time and increase rates of suspension and expulsion.

Trauma also can undermine many skills that are crucial for learning, including the development of language and communication skills, the ability to remember new information and reading comprehension.

A child’s mental health is crucial for development, both in the classroom and in the community, and this newspaper is excited about the impact that Morio’s position can have in the surrounding area.

According to a press release, Morio will work with Missy McClain in the school health services division and they will provide training, specific classroom planning and support for teachers and school administrators. They also will provide professional group development to build an understanding of the social and emotional needs of students and the practices that can increase student engagement, reduce negative student behaviors and improve staff satisfaction.

According to the hospital system’s website, the school health services division works to raise awareness of and elevate education around trauma and its impact on children and families. The division also provides services to 43 districts in 10 counties and more than 92,000 students have access to school health services.

The Warren-based Covelli Enterprise, the largest franchisee of Panera bread, according to a news release sent to this newspaper last week, made the position possible by donating nearly $70,000 to mental and behavioral health services at Akron Children’s.

Donating to a cause is always important, but a donation of this type will benefit students across the Mahoning Valley for years to come. That type of action is something that this newspaper can support.