Understanding Trauma and Trauma-Informed Schools

Understanding Trauma and Trauma-Informed Schools

This training provides school staff with the tools, resources, and foundational knowledge to practice trauma-informed strategies in their schools.  Participants learn about the prevalence and impact of trauma and how trauma can effect learning, working, and engaging in school communities.  Informed by evidence-based strategies and best practices, this training introduces school staff to a trauma-informed approach and provides concrete strategies to apply trauma-informed strategies in school.  Participants also explore the critical role of self-care in a trauma-informed system. 

Objectives

• Learn about the types of traumas, characteristics of traumatic responses, and how the body and brain react to traumatic stress
• Explore risk and protective factors that influence an individuals’ response to trauma and potential post-trauma pathways 
• Communicate and support a shared understanding among staff and faculty on the impact and prevalence of trauma and adversity on students  
• Promote feelings of physical, social, and emotional safety for students and staff  
• Utilize trauma-informed strategies to understand and respond to student behaviors   
• Learn PACE Pause, Acknowledge, Connect, and Engage ℠
• Learn about secondary and vicarious trauma, and explore strategies for self-care as an ethical imperative  

This training can also be paired with 1-hour trauma-informed discussion-based consultation groups facilitated by our expert clinicians.  These groups provide the opportunity for participants to come together to continue building their trauma-informed practices and skills.  Participants will reflect on what was learned in their trainings, how they are implementing this knowledge into practice, and receive consultation and guidance from the clinician facilitator and group.