SYSTEM OF CARE VALUES
Trauma-InformedTRAUMA-INFORMED
SAMHSA identifies four key components of trauma-informed care: (1) understanding trauma and how it can affect families, groups, organizations and communities, (2) the ability to recognize the signs of trauma, (3) that there is a response by applying a trauma-informed approach and (4) efforts made to resist re-traumatization.
With the right support and intervention, people can overcome traumatic experiences.

Trauma is more common than many people think
The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics reported that, in 2014, children aged 0-17 had experienced trauma in their lifetime…
8% had experienced sexual victimization
25% had experienced maltreatment
41% had experienced a property crime
51% had experienced a physical assault
38% had witnessed domestic violence
- U.S. students in grades 6–12 experienced bullying 28%
- Young people admit to bullying others in surveys 30%
- Young people say they have seen bullying in their schools 70.6%
- Students in grades 6–12 experienced cyberbullying 9%
- LGBTQ students experienced cyberbullying 55.2%
- Students who are bullied notify adults about the bullying 20-30%
Source StopBullying.gov
- Children who have experienced trauma are more likely to be bullied and are more likely to bully others,
- Being bullied can be traumatic and lead to the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
- When intervening it is important to address both the bullying and the trauma in order to reduce their impact.
Stopbullying.gov has more information about the impact of bullying and what can be done to help all involved.
Trauma Informed Care
A video by Orchard Place Des Moines that explains what trauma is and how to be trauma informed.
“There is always hope….merely understanding trauma and its aftermath can help rebuild a future.”
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
In the 1990’s Kaiser Permanente did a study of over 17,000 members, asking them about their childhood experiences and their current health and behaviors. That and other ACE studies have found that…
ACEs are common
ACEs increase risk
ACEs cluster
ACEs can be prevented
ACEs are not destiny
In the United States, the most common ACEs children experience are economic hardship and the divorce/separation of a parent/guardian. The third most common ACE differs based on race and ethnicity. For white or Hispanic children, it is living with an adult with a substance use problem. For black, non-Hispanic children it is parental incarceration.
In our area of the United States, only 38% of black children have no ACEs compared to 52% of Hispanic children, 60% of white children and 79% of Asian American children.
For more information, visit Child Trends, ACEsConnection or watch this 5-minute video from KPJR Films.
ACES Primer from KPJR FILMS LLC on Vimeo.
Ways to Be Trauma-Informed
Change your thinking from "What is wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?"
Become trauma aware
Create a safe environment
Understand that trauma is a personal experience
For information about how to become a trauma-informed behavioral health organization, take a look at the Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center.
Resources for Self-Care
Self-Care Starter Kit
This kit from the University of Buffalo School of Social Work was developed for professionals but can be used by anyone as a way to develop a self-care plan. It includes assessments, activities and exercises.
Mental Health America
This page shares tools to use on your path to recovery from mental health challenges.
The Road to Resilience
The Harvard Center for the Developing Child has a series of briefs and videos that explain what resilience is and how to build it.

MORE RESOURCES
There are a lot of places in your city that can help, too.
Here is a list of some community resources.
IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 911 or GO TO NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM
For the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-8255 or text the word ‘home’ to 741741 for Crisis Text Line.
IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 911 or GO TO NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM
For the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-8255 or text the word ‘home’ to 741741 for Crisis Text Line.
CONTACT US
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