Transcript Essential Elements of a Trauma-Informed Child

Improving Outcomes with Effective TraumaInformed Interventions
Charles Wilson, MSSW
Senior Director
Sam and Rose Stein Endowed Chair in Child Protection
Centers for Developmental and Behavioral Sciences
Chadwick Center for Children and Families
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego
Why is This Relevant to Management of
Psychotropic Medication
The link between
our behavior in
the system and
the child’s
response to our
efforts
Trauma is all too
common for
children and
youth served in
foster care
The link between
traumatic
experience,
behavior, and
how the system
responds
Definition of a Trauma-Informed
System
A trauma-informed child welfare system is one in which all
parties involved recognize and respond to the varying
impact of traumatic stress on children, caregivers and
those who have contact with the system. Programs and
organizations within the system infuse this knowledge,
awareness and skills into their organizational cultures,
policies, and practices. They act in collaboration, using the
best available science, to facilitate and support resiliency
and recovery.
- CTISP National Advisory Committee
Seeing Through a Trauma Lens
When we can see the
opportunity to minimize
trauma reminders/triggers
and reduce the need to
control mood and behavior
with psychotropic
medications…
…we stop making it worse!
Seeing Through a Trauma Lens
The better we can
differentiate
maladaptive behavior
that will respond to
psychosocial
interventions from
pathology that
requires psychotropic
intervention
In Fact, Many Children in Foster Care Do
Receive Mental Health Services
•
Stambaugh, L.F., Leslie, L.K., Ringeisen, H., Smith, K., & Hodgkin, D. (2012). NSCAW Child Well-Being Spotlight: Children in Out-of-Home Placements Receive More Psychotropic Medication and Other Mental
Health Services than Children Who Remain In-Home Following a Maltreatment Investigation. OPRE Report #2012-XX, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children
and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Find this report and those on similar topics online at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/ abuse_neglect/nscaw/
Seeing Through a Trauma Lens
The better we can see the
opportunity to deploy
evidence based or informed
psychosocial interventions
that can produce positive
result - with minimal side
effects….
…we will also see the value
to strategically combining
psychotropic and
psychosocial interventions
in some cases.
Essential Elements of a Trauma-Informed ChildServing System
Maximize Physical
and Psychological
Safety for the Child,
Family and CW
Workforce
Enhancing Child
Well-Being and
Resiliency
Identifying Traumarelated Needs of
the Child, and
Family
Enhancing the WellBeing and Resiliency
of those Working in
the System
Enhancing Family
Well-being and
Resiliency
Screening, Assessment
Partnering with
System Agencies
Partnering with
Youth and
Families
Role of Caregivers with Trauma History
Evidence Based Treatments
The Keys to Change Are in This Room
Expectation from
the top leadership
Policy framework
• for a move to a trauma informed environment from the receptionist at the front desk to
caseworkers and therapists
• to support the transformation
Capacity of the
workforce
• to retool to an evidence based approach
Financing
approach
• that supports learning and delivering new
evidence based practices