Building a Trauma Informed System of Care Toolkit

Building a Trauma Informed System of Care Trauma I formed Care Trai the Trainer

Rev. 5/2019

Importance of Module 3

Learning Objectives

∗ Module 3 is designed to reflect a fundamental shift in the culture of an entire organization as they become Trauma Informed. ∗ It is important to note that it is not enough to simply know about trauma. ∗ To be trauma-informed people must be able to identify trauma when they see it, and they must know how to respond in a way that doesn’t unintentionally re-traumatize people. ∗ Trauma-informed approaches can be implemented anywhere by anyone. Everyone in the organization has a role to play.

∗ Why Trauma-Informed programs operate with the universal expectation that trauma has occurred ∗ The 4 “Rs” of a Trauma-Informed program, organization, or system ∗ Understanding each of SAMHSA’s principles and why it is important ∗ Provide positive examples of each principle

Trauma-informed is a Way of Being

Trauma-Informed is a Way of Being

∗ It’s important to explain to participants that an agency doesn’t become “Trauma-Informed” in their approach to services overnight, but it’s a process. ∗ Implementing a trauma-informed approach requires constant attention and caring; it’s not about learning a particular technique or checking things off a checklist. ∗ Think about something as basic as respect or compassion. Can you do it once, implement a policy, and mark if off as “done”? Trauma-informed is a way of being, not a set of action steps.

∗ Module #3 is designed to be interactive with participants. ∗ This information will help lead them through discussion on the process to create a trauma-informed culture. ∗ This module serves as a self-inventory for individuals and their agencies by offering thought provoking ideas that create a climate of caring.

A Trauma-Informed Shift

A Trauma-Informed Program’s 4 Rs

∗ Becoming trauma-informed requires a culture shift. ∗ The first steps are recognizing the prevalence of trauma and how symptoms often treated by service agencies are really adaptations to trauma. These symptoms are actually telling a story. ∗ Once these facts are recognized, there should be two shifts: ∗ Respond with trauma-informed practices ∗ Review your practices to resist inadvertently re-traumatizing individuals

The 4 Rs ∗ Realizes widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery ∗ Recognizes signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involvedwith the system ∗ Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices ∗ Seeks to actively Resist re-traumatization

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