What is Trauma-Informed?
Trauma-informed approaches use the best scientific evidence available to build community and individual resilience, healing, engagement, and empowerment. Through a comprehensive and prevention-focused approach, rooted in trauma-informed principles and leveraging cross-sector partnerships, policymakers can address many of our society's greatest problems by actually getting at the root of the problem: trauma.
Trauma-informed policy and practices shift the focus from
"What's wrong with...?" to"What happened to...?" to "What's strong with...?"
Trauma-Informed Systems
REALIZE
The widespread impact of trauma + possible plans for recovery
RECOGNIZE
The signs & symptoms of trauma
RESPOND
By integrating trauma science + knowledge into policies & practices
RESIST
Re-traumatization by protecting against dynamics that may replicate trauma
Trauma-Informed Principles
1) SAFETY
• physical & psychological safety is considered & prioritized
• adaptive skills related to preserving safety are understood as protective and resourceful
4) COLLABORATION & MUTUALITY
• meaningful opportunities for the sharing of decision-making & power are created
• culture of doing
with vs. to or for
2) TRUST & TRANSPARENCY
• decisions are made and processes
are conducted transparently
• building trust is prioritized &
intentional efforts are made
5) EMPOWERMENT VOICE & CHOICE
• cultural stereotypes, oppression, & biases are intentionally addressed
• recognition of cultural, historical, racial, historical, & collective trauma
• factors of cultural resilience are
honored & mobilized for healing
3) PEER SUPPORT
• individuals, family, group, &
community strengths are validated & built upon
• capacity-building is prioritized
• belief in resiliency, healing, & trauma recovery
6) CULTURAL, HISTORIAL & GENDER ISSUES
• voices of lived experience are
valued & amplified
• mutual self-help/peer support are valued to recovery & growth
• opportunities exist for fellowship, solidarity, & healing
Resources & Citations
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Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration)
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Trauma-Informed Social Policy: A Conceptual Framework for Policy Analysis and Advocacy (American Journal of Public Health)
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The PRESENCE Model (Dr. Sandra L. Bloom)
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Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities through Policy and Advocacy (Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities (MARC) initiative)