Child Trauma/Trauma Informed Care
June, 2019
Jason Lang, Ph.D.
Child Health Development Institute (CHDI)
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Childhood trauma exposure is a public health concern
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Most U.S. children are exposed to trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACES), including violence, physical/sexual abuse, accidents, neglect, parent mental illness, etc.)
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Most childhood trauma exposure is unreported; screening can improve early identification of children
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Childhood trauma exposure is associated with problems with physical and mental health, suicide, substance abuse, school performance, and employment through adulthood
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The costs for children maltreated in a single year are estimated to be $124 billion in future healthcare and social service costs
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“Trauma-informed care” or a “trauma-informed approach” refers to strategies that a state, organization, system, or program can use to prevent, identify, and intervene early for children who may be exposed to trauma
Key Resources
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This brief summarizes child trauma and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
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Recent legislation related to trauma-informed approaches
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Recent GAO report on Children Affected by Trauma
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This brief describing CT’s trauma-informed child welfare system
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Trauma-informed care is relevant to, and has been applied in, all child-serving settings, including behavioral health, child welfare, pediatrics, juvenile justice, education, law enforcement, early care and education, and home visiting
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Trauma-informed care strategies include:
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Workforce development/staff training and support
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Screening and assessment to improve early identification of children
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Access to evidence-based trauma-focused prevention and intervention programs
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Organizational and policy changes to reflect research about trauma and consumer input
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Barriers to implementation of trauma-informed care strategies include:
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Limited local/in-house expertise in childhood trauma
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Limited funding to support training and implementation activities
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High rates of staff turnover
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