Trauma Informed Practice in Child Welfare

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Our county's Department of Social Services has adopted the Trauma Informed Practice model of dealing with children who receive services throughout our child welfare continuum. Staff received training in this model, which has expanded to include other adults who interact with children involved in the child welfare system. Traditional child welfare models have focused on child safety and permanency (through reunification of the child with their family, adoption, or other permanent placement). Most child welfare systems have traditionally "siloed" child welfare and clinical behavioral health services. However, emerging research shows that trauma experienced in childhood can have lifelong effects. Our new approach continues to emphasize safety and permanency, but has now integrated a response to childhood trauma. This approach has resulted in better outcomes for children and youths in our county who have received child welfare services.