{"id":22,"date":"2023-04-18T13:56:19","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T13:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vibrant.familyengagementdycdconnect.nyc\/?page_id=22"},"modified":"2023-08-09T13:55:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T13:55:02","slug":"using-trauma-informed-approaches","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vibrant.familyengagementdycdconnect.nyc\/building-the-case-management-relationship\/using-trauma-informed-approaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Trauma-Informed Approaches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Role of Trauma: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trauma is an all-too-common occurrence in our society, and it is very likely that we are working with individuals who have lived through traumatic experiences. Without an understanding of what trauma is and how it can affect those we serve, we may not be able to provide support as effectively as we would like. We may also inadvertently increase our program participants\u2019 distress or retraumatize them if we do not practice using a trauma informed lens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Trauma? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trauma may be understood as extreme stress brought on by shocking or unexpected circumstances or events that overwhelm a person\u2019s ability to cope. (http:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/nctic<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traumatic events typically have three things in common: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. The event was unexpected. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The individual was unprepared. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. There was nothing that the person could do to prevent the event from happening. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Common Sources of Trauma: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    While the list below is not exhaustive, the following represents the types of events or experiences that may be understood as traumatic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Natural disasters <\/td>Chronic stressors from oppression, such as racism and poverty, among others <\/td><\/tr>
    Childhood sexual, physical or emotional abuse; neglect or abandonment <\/td>Institutional abuse or neglect <\/td><\/tr>
    Rape, sexual assault, sex trafficking <\/td>War\/terrorism\/combat <\/td><\/tr>
    Domestic violence <\/td>Community or school violence, bullying <\/td><\/tr>
    Experiencing\/witnessing violent crime <\/td>Hate crimes <\/td><\/tr>
    Catastrophic injury or illness <\/td>Cultural dislocation or sudden loss <\/td><\/tr>
    Invasive medical procedures <\/td>Historical\/generational targeted violence <\/td><\/tr>
    Death of a parent or caregiver <\/td>Misuse of power by one individual or a group over another <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs): <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most compelling early studies of the effect of child\u2019s environment, the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study, first conducted in the mid-1990s, found that individuals experiencing more adverse childhood experiences, such as exposure to domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse, having an incarcerated parent or other household member, parents who abused substances, and other difficult life experiences are more likely to experience mental health and substance use challenges over their lifetimes. Most of us are familiar with the links between serious childhood adversity and depression, suicide, alcoholism, and addiction. However, experiencing these types of adversities not only can negatively impact behavioral health, but can also negatively affect physical health. What the research tells us is that people who have experienced higher numbers of ACEs are more likely than their peers to develop one or more of the leading causes of death for adults including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, and emphysema. The studies of ACEs have given us key information about trauma, which includes: 1) the more traumatic experiences people live through, the more risk they will have for both physical and mental health challenges; 2) mental and physical health are intertwined; and 3) given the ubiquity of traumatic experiences, it is appropriate for programs to adopt a \u201ctrauma-informed\u201d lens through which they deliver services<\/span><\/span>Definition<\/span>types of hands-on assistance offered by a program (ex: job training, academic enrichment, legal services, mental health services, food stamp application guidance, college application support)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> and support people and communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Role of Resilience in Adverse Childhood Experiences: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s important to note that while exposure to adverse childhood experiences can increase a person\u2019s risk for physical and mental health challenges, not everyone who experiences ACEs will experience challenges in the same way or to the same degree. A key mitigating factor is resilience<\/em>. Resilience is \u201cthe process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress\u201d (https:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/resilience\/building-your-resilience<\/a>). Resilience isn\u2019t a single personality trait or skill, nor does it require having lived a life free from pain, difficulty, or conflict. Rather, resilience is a quality people have that can be strengthened over time and can grow in the aftermath of difficult or painful life circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are many ways in which we can strengthen our own resilience and help others to do the same. One of the most significant ways we reinforce our resilience is through having positive connections with other people. This is where our work comes in; our programs, and all of us who work in them, can build meaningful, positive relationships with the people, families, and communities we serve. These relationships can contribute not only to helping people solve problems and obtain needed resources<\/span><\/span>Definition<\/span>tools, materials, or other assets that can support a participant\u2019s ability to reach their goals (ex: access to an online learning module, childcare, MetroCard)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> and skills, but also to the growth of their own personal resilience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is a Trauma-informed Approach? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    One of the ways that we can build connections with and support the resilience is by building a trauma-informed approach to delivering services. Broadly, a trauma-informed approach means that we actively take steps in to minimize the likelihood of traumatizing or retraumatizing those whom we serve. Using a trauma-informed approach to support individuals, families, and communities means that we shift the lens through which we understand human responses to what they have experienced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines a trauma-informed approach as one which incorporates the following \u201cThree Rs\u201d: <\/p>\n\n\n\n