Organizational Guidelines for Trauma Informed Care
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC
Objectives
~ What do we mean by trauma?
~ What do we mean by a trauma-informed approach?
~ What are the key principles of a trauma-informed approach?
~ What is the suggested guidance for implementing a trauma-informed approach?
~ What are the core training elements in developing a trauma informed system?
What Is Meant By Trauma?
~ An event, series of events, or set of circumstances that:
~ Is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening
~ Has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.
What Is Meant By Trauma?
~ 3 Es of Trauma
~ Event: Actual or threat of physical or psychological harm or significant neglect that disrupts healthy development and/or the individual’s ability to integrate his/her emotional experience is overwhelmed. Circumstances of the event commonly include abuse of power, betrayal of trust, entrapment, helplessness, pain, confusion, and/or loss.
~ Experience: How the individual labels, assigns meaning to the event. “Why me?” “How could this happen?”
~ Effects: Physical & neurological, emotional, interpersonal, cognitive, spiritual
What Is A Trauma-informed Approach?
~ Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery
~ People’s experience and behavior are understood in the context of coping strategies designed to survive adversity and overwhelming circumstances, whether these occurred in the past or present, or whether they are primary or secondary experiences
~ Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and community
~ Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
~ Resist re-traumatization
6 Key Principles of TIC
~ Safety
~ Trustworthiness and transparency
~ Peer support
~ Collaboration and mutuality
~ Empowerment, voice and choice
~ Respect for cultural, historical, and gender issues
Implementation Guidelines
~ IMPLEMENTATION DOMAINS
 Governance and Leadership
 Policy: Mission, “hard-wired” policy and cross-agency protocols
 Physical Environment
 Engagement and Involvement at all levels and in all areas of organizational functioning
 Cross Sector Collaboration (LEO, Schools, Medical, Child Welfare)
 Screening, Assessment, Treatment Services
Governance and Leadership
~ Agency leadership communicates its support and guidance for implementing a trauma-informed approach
~ The agency’s mission statement and/or written policies and procedures include a commitment to providing trauma-informed services and supports.
~ Leadership and governance structures demonstrate support for the voice and participation of people using their services who have trauma histories.
~ There is a TIC champion or committee responsible for assessing needs & developing an action plan. (Culture Warrior, Safety Liaison)
~ There is a TIC steering committee that moves the process forward, including people from all levels of the organization: Administrators, clinicians, medical assistants, clerical staff, families/youth, etc.
Policy
~ Policies and procedures are in place for including trauma survivors/people receiving services and peer supports in meaningful and significant roles in agency planning, governance, policy-making, services, and evaluation.
~ The agency’s written policies and procedures include a focus on trauma and issues of safety, avoiding re-traumitization and confidentiality.
~ The agency’s written policies and procedures recognize the pervasiveness of trauma in the lives of people using services, and