Many individuals and organizations are responding to information about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by adopting Trauma Informed principles. Trauma Informed Care(TIC) is an approach that recognizes the role trauma plays in people’s lives and responds with policies and practices informed by this knowledge. Below is a selected list of resources for educators that explores TIC principles in various settings.

An Extension Educator Perspective on Trauma Informed Care. This Research to Practice brief, written by UWEX Extension specialists, Steve Small and Mary Huser, was published in the Journal of Extension, Feb 2019. It provides a discussion of trauma-informed care, a critical overview of its principles, assumptions and misconceptions, and considers implications for family educators and professionals.

Trauma Informed Care From the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, this site covers TIC principles and resources. Sign up for email updates on trauma-related research, resources and training opportunities.

Helping Young Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: Policies and Strategies for Early Care and Education. This report from Child Trends and the National Center for Children in Poverty includes a review of the prevalence of early childhood trauma and its effects. The report offers promising strategies for child care and preschool programs looking to help young children who have endured trauma, and presents recommendations for policymakers to support trauma-informed early care.

Wisconsin Children’s Mental Health Collective Impact Partners (CIPs) Language Guide. A glossary of terms comparing deficit-based terminology with strength-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed alternatives.

Wisconsin Trauma-Sensitive Schools initiative. This website from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction contains information and resources related to the state Trauma-Sensitive Schools (TSS) initiative. It features multiple trauma-sensitive learning modules aimed at improving schools.

Tips for Talking to Children in Trauma. This fact sheet from the Center for Mental Health Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides brief suggestions on how to respond to children of different ages who have experienced a traumatic event.

Multiplying Connections, a project of The Health Federation of Philadelphia, is aimed at promoting positive development for all children, especially those who have been traumatized by repeated exposure to violence, abuse and neglect. The program offers training and materials on the impact of trauma on development and how to promote healing through trauma informed care. An online guide provides specific techniques, activities and organizational strategies that can contribute to trauma-informed care.

Trauma-informed Teaching and Design Strategies: A New Paradigm. This article, directed at teachers and published in the online forum, Exchange, provides an overview of toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences. It also suggests Trauma-informed Teaching Strategies that can improve the classroom environment for children.

Wisconsin Trauma Project is sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and is designed to respond to the trauma-related needs of children, families and their communities. Information about the project including training and technical assistance can be found at the website.

Trauma-Informed Approaches Need to be Part of a Comprehensive Strategy for Addressing the Opioid Epidemic. This policy brief reviews the evidence linking trauma and adverse childhood experiences to opioid addiction. It also provides examples of effective prevention and treatment programs, and describes innovative approaches being used by communities to address the current epidemic.

Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma. Children who have experienced traumatic events need to feel safe and loved. All parents want to provide this kind of nurturing home for their children. However, when parents do not have an understanding of the effects of trauma, they may misinterpret their child’s behavior and end up feeling frustrated or resentful. This factsheet discusses the nature of trauma, its effects on children and youth, and ways for parents to help their child.

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For questions or suggestions related to this page, please contact the Trauma-informed Care page editor, Mandi Dornfeld at amanda.dornfeld@wisc.edu.