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Trauma-Informed Care

Individuals receiving child welfare services may have a history of traumatic experiences. These resources offer information about the effects of trauma and using trauma-informed approaches to promote healing and positive outcomes.

Highlighted Resource

The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System

The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System

Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2020

Provides an overview of the effects of trauma and features state and local program examples of incorporating trauma-informed practice.

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Policy and Practice Resources

Trauma-Informed Care Walkthrough Project Report – Data and Finding

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child..., 2015

NCSACW conducted “agency walkthroughs” at five trauma-informed care partnerships. The

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Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services A..., 2014

This manual introduces the concept of trauma and offers a framework for becoming a

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Resource Guide to Trauma-Informed Human Services

Administration for Children and Families

The audience for this resource guide is human services leaders at local, state, and

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State and Local Examples

The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System

Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2020

Provides an overview of the effects of trauma and features state and local program

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Children Affected by Trauma: Report to Congressional Requesters

U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2019

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education

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Additional Resources

Trauma Informed Strategies for Supporting Children and Youth in the Child Welfare System During COVID-19

Child Trends, 2020

Defines trauma-related terms and lists strategies to promote positive outcomes for

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Recommendations for Trauma-Informed Care Under the Family First Prevention Services Act

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2020

Highlights the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) requirements and provides

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Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Trauma

Center for Healthcare Strategies, 2019

Treatment providers, behavioral health clinicians, and other healthcare professionals

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Supportive Communities: Why Should Child Protection Agencies Becomes Trauma Informed?

Casey Family Programs, 2018

Trauma-informed practices and interventions can assist parents and caregivers who

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National Child Traumatic Stress Network

NCTSN improves access to care, treatment, and services for children and adolescents

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Resources for Trauma-Informed Care

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services A...

Provides a variety of resources and tools about trauma-informed care for child

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Find Help with a Personal Situation

Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Locator

To find treatment facilities confidentially, 24/7, please call 1-800-662-4357 (HELP).

To locate general treatment services, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Treatment Locator online or call 1-800-662-4357 (HELP). This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. It is a free, confidential, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a year information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members needing treatment for a mental and/or substance use disorder.

National Child Abuse Hotline

If you suspect a child has been harmed by abuse or neglect, please call 1-800-422-4453.

If you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at Call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Serving the United States and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who—through interpreters—provide assistance in over 170 languages. All calls, texts, and chats are confidential. If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.

National Suicide Prevention Line

For free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7, please call or text 988, chat 988Lifeline.org, or call 1-800-273-8255.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, help is available and there are options to receive compassionate care. You can call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Both are confidential and available 24/7 to everyone in the United States and will connect you to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you.

Contact Us

The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare offers free technical assistance to a variety of systems on making policy and practice changes to improve outcomes for families affected by substance use disorders and involvement with child welfare services. To learn more about technical assistance services or if you have a question please email NCSACW at ncsacw@cffutures.org or call toll-free at 1–866–493–2758.

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare