Trauma-Informed Resources - Coalition for Compassionate School

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and why trauma-informed approaches could be an important solution to ACES:

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) ACES website provides access to some of the latest research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) involving the prevalence and impact of adverse childhood experiences.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris’ TED Talk: How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime. In her 15-minute talk from 2014, Dr. Burke Harris explains the science behind the impact of chronic stress and trauma on children and adults and makes a case for the importance of seeing ACES as a public health crisis.

Trauma-informed approaches in schools:

The Trauma Learning and Policy Initiative (TLPI) works to ensure that children exposed to family violence and other adverse childhood experiences succeed in school. To accomplish this mission, TLPI engages in a host of advocacy strategies including:

Helping schools create trauma-sensitive environments;
Advocating for laws, policies, and funding streams that will enable schools to create trauma-sensitive learning environments;
Engaging in a public education campaign to teach policymakers, educators, administrators, health and mental health providers, and parents about the impact of trauma on learning and the need for trauma-sensitive schools.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. This unique network of frontline providers, family members, researchers, and national partners is committed to changing the course of children’s lives by improving their care and moving scientific gains quickly into practice across the U.S. Their website has an abundance of resources to support teachers, parents, and school mental health professionals.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) has developed guidance for a Trauma-Informed approach that incorporates 4 key assumptions and 6 key principles to guide the work of organizations working to develop trauma-informed systems of care.

Trauma-Sensitive Schools Checklist (Lesley University & Massachusetts Advocates for Children)

Trauma Responsive Schools Implementation Assessment (NCTSN Treatment and Services Adaptation Center for Resilience, Hope, and Wellness in Schools and the Center for School Mental Health; Note: You must create an account first to access this resource)

Safe Schools NOLA Trauma-Informed Schools Walk-Through Observation Tool

Walk-Through Observation Discussion Questions

Safe Schools NOLA Policy, Procedure & Practice Review

Parent Focus Group Guide

Student Focus Group Guide