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Treatment & Trauma-Informed Care
To provide trauma-informed care to children, youth, and families involved with child welfare, professionals must understand the impact of trauma on child development and learn how to effectively minimize its effects without causing additional trauma. This section provides information on building trauma-informed systems, assessing and treating trauma, addressing secondary trauma in caseworkers, and trauma training. It also offers trauma resources for caseworkers, caregivers, and families.
- Building trauma-informed systems and policy issues
- Screening and Assessment
- Treatment
- Resources for caseworkers
- Resources for caregivers and families
- Secondary trauma
- Training
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Strives to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families, and communities. The network develops and disseminates information on evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed services, and public and professional education.
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Provides technical assistance to promote the implementation of trauma-informed practices in programs and services including mental health, substance use, housing, employment, domestic violence, and more.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Response
Presents a project that uses research to create practical strategies for preventing adverse childhood experiences and treating their consequences. The website describes the restorative integral support (RIS) model, which emphasizes leadership and collaboration to address and prevent trauma.
Child Trauma Academy
Offers free online courses on several trauma-related topics as well as access to articles, videos, and other materials on working with traumatized children and youth.
Children and Trauma: Report of the Task Force on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma in Children and Adolescents
American Psychological Association
Presents current information and critical gaps in knowledge of the development and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in youth. The resource includes a policy briefing and tips for mental health professionals.
The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan (PDF - 1055 KB)
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007)
Provides violence prevention practitioners with ideas about how to incorporate information on childhood stress into their work. The report focuses on the stress caused by child abuse, neglect, and repeated exposure to intimate partner violence.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children and Adolescents
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Provides information on events that may cause PTSD, how many children are affected, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.
Supporting Brain Development in Traumatized Children and Youth | |
Series Title: | Bulletins for Professionals |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 438KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2011 - 24 pages |
Summarizes what child welfare professionals can do to support the identification and assessment of the impact of maltreatment and trauma on brain development, including what to look for at different ages and stages of child development. The bulletin also addresses how to work effectively with children, youth, and families to support healthy brain development and how to improve services through cross-system collaboration and trauma-informed practice. |
Traumatic Stress/Child Welfare (PDF - 1536 KB)
Walker (Ed.)
Focal Point, 21(1), 2007
Presents a journal issue on traumatic stress experienced by children involved in the child welfare system. Articles address the causes and effects of traumatic stress, evidence-based treatments, and prevention strategies.
Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development | |
Series Title: | Issue Briefs |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 365KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2009 - 17 pages |
This issue brief provides basic information on brain development and the effects of abuse and neglect on that development. The information is designed to help professionals understand the emotional, mental, and behavioral impact of early abuse and neglect in children who come to the attention of the child welfare system. |