According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a Trauma-Informed Child and Family Service System is on in which agencies, programs, and service providers:

• Routinely screen for trauma exposure and related symptoms
• Use evidence-based, culturally responsive assessment and treatment for traumatic stress and associated mental health symptoms
• Make resources available to children, families, and providers on trauma exposure, its impact, and treatment
• Engage in eff­orts to strengthen the resilience and protective factors of children and families impacted by and vulnerable to trauma
•  Address parent and caregiver trauma and its impact on the family system
• Emphasize continuity of care and collaboration across child-service systems and
• Maintain an environment of care for sta­ff that addresses, minimizes, and treats secondary traumatic stress, and that increases staff­ wellness.
• These activities are rooted in the understanding that trauma-informed agencies, programs, and service providers build meaningful partnerships that create mutuality among children, families, caregivers and professionals at an individual and organizational level and
• Address the intersections of trauma with culture, history, race, gender, location and language, acknowledge the compounding impact of structural inequity, and are responsive to the unique needs of diverse communities.

What you should know about this definition is that early childhood educators and caregivers need to look for signs and symptoms of trauma, to know about agencies in their area that provide evidence based mental health assessment and treatment for children and families exposed to trauma, and to know that child trauma can impact the workforce as well.

To learn more about providing Trauma Informed Care, complete this module from the Virtual Lab School.   External link:  Trauma Informed Programs (opens in a new window) 

Webinar from Head Start:  https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/video/addressing-trauma-classroom-settings