Building a Trauma Informed System of Care Toolkit

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

Rev. 5/2019

SAMHSA’s Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach

1. Safety 2. Trustworthiness and Transparency 3. Peer Support 4. Collaboration and Mutuality 5. Empowerment, Voice, and Choice 6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues SAMHSA’s Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach

∗ Values based ∗ Not a checklist but a way of being

∗ Six principles that guide a trauma-informed change process ∗ Developed by national experts, including trauma survivors ∗ Goal: Establish a common language/framework

SAMHSA Videos

#1 - Who Defines Safety?

For people who use services: ∗ “Safety” generally means maximizing control over their own lives. ∗ Would there be anything about your facility, intake procedures, etc. that might be alarming, intimidating or threatening to clients? ∗ Have you ever asked

∗ Each of the six pillars come with a short video, which offers a personal example explaining the concept. ∗ Those sharing the various pillars in the videos are trauma survivors and their examples are excellent. ∗ Due to extending the length of the training, we chose not to share all six SAMHSA videos when covering this module.

For providers: ∗ “Safety” generally means maximizing control over the service environment and minimizing risk.

clients if your setting makes them feel safe?

#2 - Trustworthiness & Transparency

Discussion

∗ Staff should make sure people really understand their options. ∗ Staff should be authentic. ∗ Staff should ensure people understand limits to confidentiality.

∗ Organizational operations and decisions are conducted with transparency, and the goal of building and maintaining trust among clients, family members, staff, and others involved with this organization.

Do the people you serve feel safe while accessing services you offer? How do you know?

Do you feel safe in your own organization while providing services? Why or why not?

What changes could be made to address safety concerns?

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