WEEK6

Trauma Informed Organizations

www.scanva.org

A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed follows SAMHSA’s four “Rs”:

What does it mean to be trauma informed? Trauma informed organizations make a commitment to understand trauma, how to respond to trauma, and how it affects those they work with. Being trauma informed is an organizational cultural change.

Organizations that are considered trauma informed, have these things in common:

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

• Provide a safe environment, everything from well-lit parking lots and visible directions/ signage to natural light, soft furniture, etc.

• Offer effective peer supervision • Encourage all to find balance in

life and work • Promote self care • Work to be transparent

• Ask, “What happened to you?” -- not, “What’s wrong with you?”

• Continually offer professional development opportunities

• Value confidentiality • Promote recovery and resiliency • Continually change to meet the needs

of those they serve

natural disasters witnessing abuse

accidents violence

bullying loss of a loved one

abuse and/or neglect, as a child or adult

generational trauma

long-term health problems

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

Actively seeks to RESIST re-traumatization

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Keep in mind: Trauma can be caused by many things. Keep in mind: Trauma is common. Trauma is a nearly universal human experience, so it makes sense that everyone working with kids and families should be trauma-informed. Nationally, more than 46 percent of U.S. youth— 34 million children under age 18—have had at least one ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience.)