701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed Approach

701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Learning ObjectivesParticipants will be able to:• Recognize traumatic stress as an occupational

hazard in the child welfare profession;• Explain how the parallel process applies to

agency leaders in a trauma-informed organization;

• Describe how trauma-informed approach principles can help children, youth, families, and staff manage traumatic stress; and

• Identify the role organizational culture plays in managing traumatic stress.

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Agenda for Today

• Welcome and Introductions• The Parallel Process• Trauma-Informed Approach

Principles• Organizational Culture • Summary and Evaluations

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Primary Traumatic Stress

An experienced event outside the range of usual human experiences that would be markedly distressing to almost anyone; an event such as a serious threat to one’s self or sudden destruction to one’s environment.

(Figley, C.R., 1995)

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Secondary Traumatic Stress

Natural consequent behaviors and emotions resulting from knowing about a traumatizing event experienced by a significant other – the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person.

(Figley, 2002)5

701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

The Parallel ProcessAdministrators

Supervisors

Front-line staff

Parents/Caregivers

Children/Youth

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Quality Service Review Indicator 1a: Safety: Exposure to Threats of HarmDegree to which:• The child/youth is free of abuse, neglect, and

exploitation by others in his/her place of residence, school, and other daily settings.

• The child/youth’s parents and/or caregivers provide the attention, actions, and supports and possess the skills and knowledge necessary to protect the child/youth from known and potential threats of harm in the home, school, and other daily settings.

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Don’t Let Ideas Get Away!

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

A trauma-informed approach refers to how a program, agency, organization, or community thinks about and responds to those who have experienced or may be at risk for experiencing trauma; it refers to a change in the organizational culture.

(Harris and Fallot, 2001)

What Do We Mean By a Trauma-Informed Approach?

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

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Four Key Elements to a Trauma-Informed Approach • Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and

understands potential paths for recovery• Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma

in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system

• Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices

• Seeks to actively resist re-traumatizationSAMHSA, 2014

701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Terms in a Trauma-Informed System

• Trauma-Informed Care

• Trauma-Informed Intervention

• Trauma-Informed Services

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Instructions: Learning Your Principle (Handout #6: Trauma-Informed Approach)1. Read the description of your assigned

principle on pp. 2-4.

2. As a group, discuss and answer the questions for the assigned principle on p. 5.

3. Scale your principle (pp 6-8) on how well is it is demonstrated throughout your organization.

4. Identify two next steps to enhance this principle in your agency. 12

701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Instructions: Peer Teaching (Handout #6: Trauma-Informed Approach)1. Discuss your assigned principle with your

new group by summarizing the discussion you had with your previous table.

2. As a group, discuss strengths and opportunities for enhancing the principle.

3. Individually complete scale and identify two next steps to enhance the principle in the agency on pp. 6-8.

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Don’t Let Ideas Get Away!

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Three-Pronged Approach to Dealing with Trauma1. Individual (employee) self-care

2. Peer/Supervisory support

3. Organizational/Agency-wide support including the use of worksite models and systems that work to manage trauma

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Self-Care

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Supervisory and Peer Support

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Reflection

Stepping back from the immediate experience to sort through thoughts and feelings about what one is observing and doing with children and families.

(Fenichel, 1992).

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Reflective Supervision

A collaborative relationship for professional growth that improves program quality and practice by cherishing strengths and partnering around vulnerabilities to generate growth.

(Shahmoon Shanok, 2009)

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Organizational Support

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Use Your Action Plan Often!

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Next Steps!

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701: Introduction to the Trauma-Informed ApproachThe Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Thank you for coming!

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