Resources on Trauma-Informed Care for Caseworkers

The following resources equip caseworkers with practical tools and strategies for working with traumatized children, youth, and families.

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.

Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2013)                   
Teaches skills that support child welfare workers in their interactions with children and youth who have experienced trauma.

Five Ways Trauma-Informed Care Supports Children’s Development
Child Trends
Highlights five ways trauma-informed care, which encompasses a variety of approaches to working with children exposed to traumatic events, supports children's healthy development.

Indian Country Child Trauma Center
Provides resources specifically designed for child welfare professionals working with American Indian and Alaska Native children, youth, and families. These resources trauma-informed treatment protocols, reproducible outreach materials, and service delivery guidelines.

Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides two learning modules to help participants understand, recognize, and prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This training is available to anyone interested in learning more about ACEs regardless of profession or educational attainment. 

Promoting Protective Factors for Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Guide for Practitioners
Series Title Factsheets
Author(s)
Development Services Group, Inc.; Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 234KB)
Year Published 2015
Presents information from a review of current research on specific protective factors that carry moderate or strong association with improved well-being for victims of child abuse and neglect. Topics include individual skills and capacities that can improve the well-being of children who have been abused or neglected; how parents, guardians, friends, and other adults can contribute to the well-being of these children and youth; strategies for practitioners; and resources for more information. This publication is part of a series of five factsheets for practitioners exploring the importance of protective factors in working with in-risk populations served by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

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 the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development
Series Title Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 443KB)
Year Published 2015
Provides basic information on brain development and the effects of abuse and neglect on that development. The information is designed to help professionals understand the emotional, mental, and behavioral impact of early abuse and neglect in children who come to the attention of the child welfare system.

Working With Parents Involved in the Child Welfare System
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2016)
Explains the ways in which 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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