Find resources for professionals to recognize and help children and youth address past trauma.
Child Trauma Academy
Offers free online courses on several trauma-related topics as well as access to articles, videos, and other materials on working with traumatized children and youth.
Parenting After Trauma: Understanding Your Child’s Needs: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents (PDF - 1,760 KB)
American Academy of Pediatrics, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, & Jockey Being Family (2016)
Provides examples of the ways in which trauma effects child’s physical and social development. This resource also provides practical tips for adoptive and foster parents working with children who have experienced trauma.
Trauma Definition
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2012)
Focuses on the effect of trauma on behavioral health, including a working definition of trauma, the basics of a trauma-informed approach, and guidelines for implementing trauma-informed practices.
Trauma Treatment: System-Level Programs (Child and Adolescent)
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
Describes programs reviewed and rated by the Clearinghouse for their effectiveness in treating trauma in children and youth.
Traumatic Experiences
Sesame Street in Communities
Provides activities and resources designed to help child welfare professionals and parents help children address and heal prior traumatic experiences.
Understanding Trauma
AdoptUSKids (2017)
Highlights the ways in which trauma affects child development and provides tips to help adoptive parents address those issues.
Using Trauma-Informed Child Welfare Practice to Improve Foster Care Placement Stability: A Breakthrough Series Collaborative
Conradi, Ko, Tullberg, Agosti, Langan, & Wilson (2011)
Children's Bureau Express, 12(4)
Describes an initiative focused on using knowledge of child trauma to shape decisions, actions, policies, procedures, staffing, and supports for children, their families, and their caregivers, resulting in more adjustments that are successful and fewer disruptions in foster care.