Chronic exposure to traumatic stress is increasingly understood as a common denominator among children, youth, and adults across service systems. Traumatic experiences include physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; family and community violence; natural disasters; wars; and the ongoing, cumulative impact of poverty, racism, and oppression. Repeated exposure to traumatic events without adequate support—particularly from an early age—can have a devastating, long-term impact on health and well-being.
Organizational trauma-informed care is a systemic approach to service delivery that is grounded in an understanding of the causes and consequences of trauma and promotes resilience and healing. Trauma-informed organizations ensure that mission, culture, and practice are aligned to recognize and support trauma-survivors.
Trauma-informed care represents an emerging shift in paradigm and practice. Originally published in the Journal of Child and Youth Care Work, this journal article provides a comprehensive review of trauma-informed care—its evolution, current models and practice, and evidence base.
Historically, health and human service systems have served people who have experienced trauma without acknowledging, understanding, or addressing its impact and the need for tailored responses. This white paper addresses the need for a comprehensive approach to trauma intervention across service settings.
AIR presented series of webinars that addressed the impact of trauma on veterans and highlighted trauma-informed care as an organization-wide approach to understanding and responding to trauma. Special focus was given to the experiences of women veterans and how to provide trauma-informed care to this population.
