Trauma-Informed Care

Individuals with substance use disorders who are receiving child welfare services often have a history of trauma. Substance use disorder treatment professionals and child welfare case workers should understand the role that trauma may play in an individual’s life. The cycle of trauma may lead to a lack of engagement in services, an increase in symptoms, re-traumatization, an increased risk of relapse, withdrawal from relationships, and poor treatment outcomes, among other possible outcomes. In a trauma-informed organization, employed professionals at the organization should understand how trauma affects the life of an individual seeking services.

• Highlighted Resource

  • Trauma-Informed Care Walkthrough Project Report—Data and Findings
    (PDF 1.2 MB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), 2015

    Staff from NCSACW conducted “agency walkthroughs” at five trauma-informed care partnerships. The walkthrough process enabled the sites to better understand services through the eyes of their clients; uncovered inadvertent trauma triggers; and generated concrete changes necessary to become a more trauma-informed system. This report provides information on key strategies that staff in key systems can implement to minimize trauma triggers for clients, and it describes the findings from the Trauma-Informed Care Assessment Project.

    View Document Trauma-Informed Care Walkthrough Project Report—Data and Findings

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  Policy and Practice Resources

  • Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Trauma
    (PDF 269 KB)

    Center for Healthcare Strategies, 2019

    Treatment providers, behavioral health clinicians, and other healthcare professionals will learn trauma-informed screening approaches and considerations for both adults and children from this document. This technical tool also provides site-specific screening examples and the ACE questionnaire.

    View Document Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Trauma
  • Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach
    (PDF 789 KB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014

    This manual introduces the concept of trauma and offers a framework for becoming a trauma-informed organization, system, or service sector. It provides 6 key principles and 10 implementation domains.

    View Document Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach

• State and Local Examples

  • Children Affected by Trauma: Report to Congressional Requesters
    (PDF 601 KB)

    U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2019

    The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education fund grants, information dissemination, and technical assistance to help state and local agencies support children affected by trauma. This report describes 1) the assistance provided by HHS and the Department of Education; 2) how child welfare agencies and education agencies in selected states are providing support; and 3) the challenges child welfare and education agencies have faced in selected states in supporting children affected by trauma.

    View Document Children Affected by Trauma: Report to Congressional Requesters

• Related Online Trainings, Videos, and Webinars

  • Trauma-Informed Response Trainer Listing

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2018

    The SAMHSA GAINS Center offers a 1-day training on trauma-informed responses for criminal justice personnel and treatment professionals. This resource provides a list of trainers in every state.

    Visit Website Trauma-Informed Response Trainer Listing
  • Trauma-Informed Care for Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders
    

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2015

    NCSACW hosted a webinar series about evidence-based practices for families who are involved with child welfare and affected by substance use disorders. This series provides strategies for the implementation of trauma-informed care and establishes a learning community in cities across the country.

    Watch Video Trauma-Informed Care for Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders

• Additional Resources

  • Supportive Communities: Why Should Child Protection Agencies Become Trauma-Informed?
    (PDF 1.2 MB)

    Casey Family Programs, 2018

    Trauma-informed practices and interventions can assist parents and caregivers who have experienced trauma in providing safe and stable homes for children. This brief highlights reasons why organizations and service systems should develop trauma-informed practices.

    View Document Supportive Communities: Why Should Child Protection Agencies Become Trauma-Informed?
  • Resource Guide to Trauma-Informed Human Services

    Administration for Children and Families, 2017

    The audience for this resource guide is human services leaders at local, state, and tribal agencies. Professionals will learn about trauma-informed care and how to engage in trauma-informed work to improve their practice.

    Visit Website Resource Guide to Trauma-Informed Human Services
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

    NCTSN was established to improve access to care, treatment, and services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. The website provides a host of resources and publications for child welfare workers, school personnel, healthcare providers, and healthcare practitioners.

    Visit Website National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)