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  • Trauma-Informed Practice in Child Welfare
  • Understanding Trauma

Understanding Trauma

Many children involved with the child welfare system have experienced trauma. Trauma can have a significant effect on a child's development as well as their psychosocial health. Below, find capacity-building resources that will help child welfare practitioners and caregivers understand how traumatic experiences shape a child’s behavior and development.

About Child Trauma
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Defines traumatic events and explains experiences that may be traumatic. This resource also explains stress symptoms that may occur in response to trauma, as well as risk and protective factors for posttraumatic stress disorders.

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.

Children and Trauma Resources
American Psychological Association
Presents current information about the development and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in youth, as well as addresses gaps remaining in the field’s knowledge of the disorder. The resource includes a policy briefing and tips for mental health professionals.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children and Adolescents
Hamblen & Barnett
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD
Provides information on events that may cause PTSD, the number of children affected, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.

Signs of Trauma in Children
Child Mind Institute
Differentiates normal grief in response to challenging experiences from unhealthy coping mechanisms that may indicate trauma symptoms.

Supporting Brain Development in Traumatized Children and Youth

Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
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Download (PDF - 281KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2017
Summarizes the effects of early trauma on brain development and steps child welfare professionals can take to screen for developmental delays and identify the trauma-affected children and youth in their care. Looks at ways to access cross-sector, therapeutic, and evidence-based treatment to encourage healthy recovery for trauma-affected children and youth.

Understanding Child Trauma 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Presents a series of infographics on understanding child trauma and reviews the signs of traumatic stress and its impacts in children of all ages, from preschool to high school.  

Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development

Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
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Download (PDF - 443KB)
Order (Free)
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.

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Spotlight On

The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2020)

Why Should Child Protection Agencies Become Trauma-Informed?

Casey Family Programs (2018)

Related Content

Helping Children Address Past Trauma

Trauma and Adolescent Development

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

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