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Building Trauma-Informed Systems and Policy Issues
The following resources help administrators and managers implement changes in policies and procedures and work collaboratively with other service providers to make systems more trauma-informed. Resources include State and local examples.
Policy Issues
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Offers guides and briefs for those who work to develop and implement policies for child and family-serving systems.
Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP) Model
Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego
Offers a framework to build and sustain an assessment-based treatment program and provides a guide for individualized treatment for complexly traumatized children.
Adaptation Guidelines for Serving Latino Children and Families Affected by Trauma
Chadwick Center for Children and Families & National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2008)
Presents guidelines for advocates and therapists as well as for program administrators and policymakers to adapt research, clinical practice, and policy to meet the needs of traumatized Latino children and families.
Facts About Trauma for Policymakers: Children's Mental Health
Cooper (2007)
Addresses the prevalence of children exposed to trauma; identifies the core components of trauma-informed care; highlights existing effective practices at Federal, State, and Tribal levels; and provides recommendations for policymakers.
A Guide to Private Funding to Support Child Traumatic Stress and Other Trauma-Focused Initiatives (PDF - 3912 KB)
Gray & Schmid (2007)
Helps leaders of child traumatic stress initiatives pursue private funding by identifying potential funding sources, describing strategies to generate funding, and offering tips and considerations to take into account when implementing those strategies.
Healing Invisible Wounds: Why Investing in Trauma-Informed Care for Children Makes Sense (PDF - 198 KB)
Adams (2010)
Discusses the link between childhood trauma and criminal behavior, the need to routinely screen for and treat trauma before children become involved in the justice system, and recommendations for implementing a trauma-informed system.
The Impact of Trauma on Wellness: Implications for Comprehensive Systems Change
10x10 Wellness Campaign, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2011)
Offers a training presentation on adverse childhood experiences, creating cultures of trauma-informed care in behavioral health settings, and engaging the community to support those affected by trauma.
Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Childhood Violence and Trauma: An Interview With Carl C. Bell, MD
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Health Care Innovations Exchange Team (2012)
Describes the impact childhood violence and trauma can have on mental health well-being. Dr. Bell also suggests ways to incorporate and promote the protective factors to prevent the effects of violence.
The Sanctuary Model® of Trauma-Informed Organizational Change (PDF - 77 KB)
Bloom
The Source, 16(1), 2007
Describes an evidence-supported model for changing systems by creating and maintaining a therapeutic environment in which staff, children, and adults contribute to decision-making and collaboratively build a trauma-informed organization.
A Social Worker's Tool Kit for Working With Immigrant Families: Healing the Damage: Trauma and Immigrant Families in the Child Welfare System (PDF - 597 KB)
American Humane Association & Migration and Child Welfare National Network (2010)
Describes strategies to build an organization's capacity to better respond to the needs of immigrant families exposed to child maltreatment, domestic and community violence, and other traumatic stressors.
Strengthening Policies to Support Children, Youth, and Families Who Experience Trauma (PDF - 1565 KB)
Cooper, Masi, Dababnah, Aratani, & Knitzer (2007)
Describes the core practice components of trauma-informed initiatives and policy responses. The report presents examples and case studies of efforts to promote trauma-informed practice in communities and provides recommendations for Federal, Tribal, and State governments.
Trauma and Justice
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Presents efforts to reduce the pervasive, harmful, and costly health impact of violence and trauma by integrating trauma-informed approaches throughout health, behavioral health, and related systems.
Trauma-Informed Organizational Toolkit for Homeless Services (PDF - 2104 KB)
Guarino, Soares, Konnath, Clervil, & Bassuk (2009)
Offers concrete guidelines for modifying practices and policies to ensure appropriate responses to the needs of homeless families who have experienced traumatic stress.
Using Trauma-Informed Child Welfare Practice to Improve Foster Care Placement Stability: A Breakthrough Series Collaborative
Conradi, Ko, Tullberg, Agosti, Langan, & Wilson
Children's Bureau Express, 12(4), 2011
Describes an initiative focused on using knowledge of child trauma to shape decisions, actions, policies, procedures, staffing, and supports for children, their families, and their caregivers, resulting in more adjustments that are successful and fewer disruptions in foster care.
State and local examples
Compassionate Schools
State of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Provides training, guidance, referral, and technical assistance to schools wishing to adopt a Compassionate Schools model. Compassionate Schools benefit all students who attend but focus on students chronically exposed to stress and trauma in their lives.
Multiplying Connections
Health Federation of Philadelphia
Offers tools to help organizations build trauma-informed systems of care that respond to children suffering from trauma in ways that "do no further harm."