What is Trauma-Informed?

Trauma-informed approaches use the best scientific evidence available to build community and individual resilience, healing, engagement, and empowerment. Through a comprehensive and prevention-focused approach, rooted in trauma-informed principles and leveraging cross-sector partnerships, policymakers can address many of our society's greatest problems by actually getting at the root of the problem: trauma.

Trauma-informed policy and practices shift the focus from
"What's wrong with...?" to"What happened to...?" to "What's strong with...?"

Trauma-Informed Systems

REALIZE

The widespread impact of trauma + possible plans for recovery

RECOGNIZE

The signs & symptoms of trauma

RESPOND

By integrating trauma science + knowledge into policies & practices

RESIST

Re-traumatization by protecting against dynamics that may replicate trauma

Trauma-Informed Principles

1) SAFETY

• physical & psychological safety is considered & prioritized

• adaptive skills related to preserving safety are understood as protective and resourceful

4) COLLABORATION & MUTUALITY

• meaningful opportunities for the sharing of decision-making & power are created

• culture of doing
with vs. to or for

2) TRUST & TRANSPARENCY

• decisions are made and processes
are conducted transparently
• building trust is prioritized &
intentional efforts are made

5) EMPOWERMENT VOICE & CHOICE

• cultural stereotypes, oppression, & biases are intentionally addressed
• recognition of cultural, historical, racial, historical, & collective trauma
• factors of cultural resilience are
honored & mobilized for healing

3) PEER SUPPORT

• individuals, family, group, &
community strengths are validated & built upon
• capacity-building is prioritized
• belief in resiliency, healing, & trauma recovery

6) CULTURAL, HISTORIAL & GENDER ISSUES

• voices of lived experience are
valued & amplified
• mutual self-help/peer support are valued to recovery & growth
• opportunities exist for fellowship, solidarity, & healing

What makes a policy trauma-informed? Check out CTIPP's checklist.

Resources & Citations

Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration)
Trauma-Informed Social Policy: A Conceptual Framework for Policy Analysis and Advocacy (American Journal of Public Health)
The PRESENCE Model (Dr. Sandra L. Bloom)
Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities through Policy and Advocacy (Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities (MARC) initiative)

Policy Priorities