To provide trauma-informed care to children, youth, and families involved with child welfare, professionals must understand the impact of trauma on child development and learn how to effectively minimize its effects without causing additional trauma. This section provides information on building trauma-informed systems, assessing and treating trauma, addressing secondary trauma in caseworkers, and trauma training. It also offers trauma resources for caseworkers, caregivers, and families.
- Building trauma-informed systems and policy issues
- Screening and assessment of trauma in children and youth
- Treatment
- Resources for caseworkers
- Resources for caregivers and families
- Secondary trauma
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Response
Presents a project that uses research to create practical strategies for preventing adverse childhood experiences and treating their consequences. The website describes the restorative integral support (RIS) model, which emphasizes leadership and collaboration to address and prevent trauma.
Child Trauma Academy
Offers free online courses on several trauma-related topics as well as access to articles, videos, and other materials on working with traumatized children and youth.
Children and Trauma: Report of the Task Force on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma in Children and Adolescents
American Psychological Association
Presents current information and critical gaps in knowledge of the development and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in youth. The resource includes a policy briefing and tips for mental health professionals.
Series Title | Factsheets |
Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability | View Download (PDF - 532KB) Order (Free) |
Year Published | 2016 |
Got Your ACE Score?
ACES Too High
Provides an assessment to determine an individual’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Score. This resource discusses the significance of ACE scores for cognitive and behavioral development.
Indian Country Child Trauma Center
Develops trauma-related treatment protocols, outreach materials, and service delivery guidelines specifically designed for American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families.
Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides two learning modules to help participants understand, recognize, and prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACES). This training is available to anyone interested in learning more about ACES regardless of profession or educational attainment.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children and Adolescents
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Provides information on events that may cause PTSD, how many children are affected, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.
SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach (PDF - 454 KB)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2014)
Presents a working concept of trauma and a trauma-informed approach that is acceptable and appropriate across an array of service systems. This paper utilizes research, practice and survivor knowledge to generate a framework for improving the capacity of multiple service systems and public institutions to better address the trauma-related issues of their communities.
Section 4: Trauma in the Child Welfare System
Child and Family Services Reviews Information Portal (2013)
Provides information on how to deal with trauma in the child welfare system. This e-training module covers child maltreatment and its negative effects on children, the usefulness of screening and assessment tools for trauma, and the importance of evidence-based and trauma-informed interventions.
Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability | View Download (PDF - 281KB) Order (Free) |
Year Published | 2017 |
Trauma Resources [Video]
Granite State College (2015)
Includes a series of videos from the perspectives of different stakeholders who provide information about the need for trauma-informed care while working in the field of child welfare.
Traumatic Experiences
Sesame Street in Communities
Provides activities and resources designed to help child welfare professionals and parents help children address and heal prior traumatic experiences.
A TARGETed© Approach to Working With Traumatized Youth and Families Program Manual
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (2016)
Details the implementation process of the Illinois Trauma Focus Model for Reducing Long-Term Foster Care project in order to assist others in adapting the process for local use. This manual discusses staff and client recruitment strategies as well as data-driven decision-making related to program implementation.
Series Title | Issue Briefs |
Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability | View Download (PDF - 443KB) Order (Free) |
Year Published | 2015 |