Child welfare professionals must understand how trauma affects child development and behavior as well as be familiar with the resources available for treatment. The following resources equip caseworkers with practical tools and strategies for working with traumatized children, youth, and families.

Effective Training for Trauma-Informed Care (PDF - 159 KB) 
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (2020)
Examines how the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, in partnership with Vanderbilt University, improved its trauma-informed approach through the creation of the Child Protective Services Academy. Results showed trauma-informed training helped prepare caseworkers to engage with families who have experienced multiple traumas.

Episode 69: Engaging Indigenous Families and Communities [Podcast]
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2021)
Shares insight from the National Native Children's Trauma Center (NNCTC) for those caseworkers and agencies that are working or will work with indigenous communities to support children and families.

The Learning Center
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Provides an online resource and networking center for professionals and families seeking to learn more about child traumatic stress.

Recognizing and Treating Child Traumatic Stress
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Reviews traumatic stress, its impact on children, treatment options, and how families and those working with families can help. The webpage includes information on types of traumatic events, indicators of traumatic stress for various age groups, how to help, and more.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals

Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 224KB)
Year Published
2018
Helps child welfare professionals build a better understanding of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), including which clients should be referred for this approach, how it is implemented, and resources for additional information. TF-CBT helps children, adolescents, and their parents (or other caregivers) overcome trauma-related difficulties, including child maltreatment. It helps children address distorted or upsetting beliefs and attributions and learn skills to help them cope with ordinary life stressors. TF-CBT also helps parents who were not abusive to cope effectively with their own emotional distress and develop skills that support their children.

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.

A Trauma-Informed Guide for Working With Youth Involved in Multiple Systems (PDF - 1,617 KB) 
Fehrenbach, Ford, Olafson, Kisiel, Chang, Kerig, Khumalo, et al. (2022)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Presents information to help those working with youth involved with child welfare and other human services systems to implement trauma-informed strategies and practices.  

Working With Parents Involved in the Child Welfare System
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2016)
Explains how unresolved trauma can impact parent ability to navigate the child welfare system. This course supports caseworkers in increasing engagement in child welfare services through increasing their understanding of the parent perspective.

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