Childhood Trauma Impacts: Selected Resources
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Trauma-Informed Schools
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The resources listed here are envisioned to be part of an evolving, “living” list.
Please “comment” at the bottom of the page with any questions, suggestions, additions, updates, or errors.
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What is “Trauma-Informed” ? Working Definition:
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A program, organization, or system that is “trauma-informed”
realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery;
recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and
responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively
resists re-traumatization
(SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma-Informed )
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
http://www.samhsa.gov/nctic/trauma-interventions
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3. Trauma-Informed Schools
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Contents: Trauma-Informed Schools
1. Impacts of Trauma on learning
2. Why Trauma-Informed Schools ?
3. Trauma-Informed School Models
4. Creating Trauma-Informed Schools
5. Trauma-Informed School Discipline
6. Trauma-Informed Classroom Tips for Teachers
7. Screening Tools for childhood trauma
8. Reflection Tools for Trauma-Informed Transitions
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*** Research Journal Article Links ***
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Research Journal Articles are not numbered
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*** Social Media Links***
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Social Media links are not numbered
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1. Impacts of Trauma on learning
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Trauma Changes Brains
http://neatoday.org/2016/05/17/trauma-and-children/
“Impacts of Childhood Trauma” Page: CLICK HERE
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Understanding the Behavioral and Emotional Consequences of Child Abuse
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/3/667.full
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Childhood Trauma and learning
http://traumasensitiveschools.org/trauma-and-learning/
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Brain Development and “Executive Function” skills
“A number of studies have shown that exposure to highly stressful early environments is associated with deficits in the development of children’s working memory, attention, and inhibitory control skills. Damaging fear and toxic stress are likely mechanisms that explain these effects, in part, because they affect the chemistry of brain circuits involved in the development of these capacities, and they impair the specific neuronal architecture that is engaged when we try to keep information in working memory, inhibit a habitual action, or address problems in a flexible manner.”
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NCTSN “ToolKit” of Trauma Impacts
http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/Child_Trauma_Toolkit_Final.pdf
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Warning Signs of abuse and trauma
http://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/tip-sheet-7
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Trauma’s Impact on Learning (flyer)
https://www.starr.org/sites/default/files/Trauma_Impact_on_Learning_flyer.pdf
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Trauma, Resilience, and the Impact on Learning
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10 Things About Childhood Trauma Every Teacher Needs to Know
https://www.weareteachers.com/10-things-about-childhood-trauma-every-teacher-needs-to-know/
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“Effects of Trauma on Learning” (Presentation Slides)
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Childhood Trauma Impacts How Children Learn
http://traumasensitiveschools.org/
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Calmer Classrooms :
Guide to Working with Trauma-Impacted children
https://earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/files/calmer_classrooms.pdf
https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/SCC.630.001.001.pdf
.Kindergarten-specific:
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/p_10/qklg_pd_res_risk_calm_classroom.pdf
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FOR OTHER IMPACTS OF ‘CHILDHOOD’, OR DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA, CLICK FOR RESOURCES HERE
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2. Why Trauma-Informed ?
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Why Trauma-Informed Schools ?
https://traumasensitiveschools.org/why/
http://traumasensitiveschools.org/
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Child Trauma and the Challenge of Inclusive Education
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Brain Development and “Executive Function” skills
“A number of studies have shown that exposure to highly stressful early environments is associated with deficits in the development of children’s working memory, attention, and inhibitory control skills. Damaging fear and toxic stress are likely mechanisms that explain these effects, in part, because they affect the chemistry of brain circuits involved in the development of these capacities, and they impair the specific neuronal architecture that is engaged when we try to keep information in working memory, inhibit a habitual action, or address problems in a flexible manner.”
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Why Executive Function is a Vital Stepping-Stone For Kids’ Ability to Learn
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Unlocking the Door to Learning: Trauma-Informed Classrooms… from Education Law Center
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Why Do Schools Need to be Trauma-Informed?
https://www.starr.org/research/why-schools-need-be-trauma-informed
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We Don’t Teach Educators Enough About Trauma: We Should Do More
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Children of Violence
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-renaissance-20160911-story.html
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Role of Schools in Supporting Traumatized students
“Addressing trauma and its related issues is essential to the mission and purpose of schools: learning.”
http://cqrcengage.com/naspweb/file/YEfwxfQ75YH/prr_nov13_trauma_sensitive_schools.pdf
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“Trauma-Sensitive Schools”
Thoughts on a new framework for reaching troubled students
http://hepg.org/hel-home/issues/30_3/helarticle/trauma-sensitive-schools
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Schools promoting ‘trauma-informed’ teaching to reach troubled students
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EdWeek Interview: To Reach Struggling Students, Schools Need to Be More ‘Trauma-Sensitive’
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Optimum Learning Environments for Traumatized Children: How Abused Children Learn Best in School Dave Ziegler, Ph.D.
http://www.jaspermountain.org/optimum_learning_environment.pdf
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Education Brief: ACEs for Educators and Stakeholders
http://www.hmprg.org/assets/root/ACEs/Education%20Policy%20Brief.pdf
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3. Trauma-Informed Models
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SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach
https://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA14-4884/SMA14-4884.pdf
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Trauma-Sensitive Schools
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“Teaching Traumatized Kids”
from the producers of “Paper Tiger” film
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/teaching-traumatized-kids/490214/
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‘Ambassadors of Hope’ Trauma-sensitive schools understand the whole child
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Everyday trauma reshapes Rochester schools’ approach to teaching and supervision
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Teaching Through Trauma: How poverty affects kids’ brains
Camino Nuevo (Charter Chain in Los Angeles)
(Contrasted with LA Public Schools — and some ACE screening results)
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A new movement to treat troubled children as ‘sad, not bad’ (New Orleans)
http://hechingerreport.org/a-new-movement-to-treat-troubled-children-as-sad-not-bad/
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Education Brief: ACEs for Educators and Stakeholders
http://www.hmprg.org/assets/root/ACEs/Education%20Policy%20Brief.pdf
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Developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) School-Justice Partnerships: Technical Assistance Tools
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A SYSTEM of care for traumatized children
https://acestoohigh.com/2017/03/14/a-system-of-care-for-traumatized-children/
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Vision 21: Linking Systems of Care for Children and Youth Guiding Principles
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4. Creating Trauma-Informed Schools
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Creating (and Advocating for) Trauma-Sensitive Schools (TLPI in MA)
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The Trauma-Informed School: A Step-by-Step Implementation Guide for Administrators and School Personnel
http://www.beyondconsequences.com/the-trauma-informed-school
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Unlocking the Door to Learning: Trauma-Informed Classrooms… from Education Law Center
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Trauma-Informed Classrooms (from School Justice Partnership)
https://www.ncjfcj.org/sites/default/files/NCJFCJ_SJP_Trauma_Informed_Classrooms_Final.pdf
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Washington State: The Heart of Learning and Teaching
http://www.k12.wa.us/compassionateschools/heartoflearning.aspx VIDEO
http://www.k12.wa.us/compassionateschools/pubdocs/TheHeartofLearningandTeaching.pdf Comprehensive Guide
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Washington State (Dr. Chris Blodgett) Presentation
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Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools
Wisconsin Department Public Instruction:
http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/trauma
http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/trauma/e-resources
Comprehensive Strategies, Resources: http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/trauma/strategies
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A Trauma-Informed Middle School
Wisconsin start-up training:
http://www.sainta.org/helping-to-create-a-trauma-informed-school/
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Calmer Classrooms :
Guide to Working with Trauma-Impacted children
https://earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/files/calmer_classrooms.pdf
https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/SCC.630.001.001.pdf
.Kindergarten-specific:
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/p_10/qklg_pd_res_risk_calm_classroom.pdf
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Creating “Trauma-Aware” Schools
Treatment and Services Adaptation Center (TSA)
http://traumaawareschools.org/
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10 Steps Every Educator Needs to Know to Create a Trauma-Informed School
https://starr.org/10-steps-every-educator-needs-to-know-to-create-a-trauma-informed-school/
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5. Trauma-Informed School Discipline:
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School to Prison Pipeline
https://firstfocus.org/blog/toward-a-more-perfect-union-addressing-the-school-to-prison-pipeline/
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Measuring the impact: Schools struggle from multiple angles with incarceration
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Reduced Suspensions and Expulsions
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Missouri law aims to help teachers of traumatized children
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2016/06/25/missouri-law-aims-to-help-teachers_ap.html
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Adults’ Changes
https://acestoohigh.com/2013/03/20/secret-to-fixing-school-discipline/
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Does Discipline Reform Really Decrease School Violence?
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/06/school-violence-restorative-justice/488945/
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Everyday trauma reshapes Rochester schools’ approach to teaching and supervision
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When Schools Meet Trauma With Understanding, Not Discipline (New Orleans)
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How mindfulness practices are changing an inner-city school
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Leaders Collaborating to Advance Positive School Discipline in Indiana
“However, in order to foster positive school discipline practices, school systems across the state could benefit from access to sustainable funding sources for culturally-responsive, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) that incorporate traumainformed care and restorative justice principles”
http://media.ibj.com/Lawyer/websites/opinions/index.php?pdf=2016/july/CPLISummitReport.pdf (see PAGE 3)
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6. Classroom Tips for Teachers
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Trauma Informed Teaching: Build a Sense of Safety and Care
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Do’s and Don’ts of a Trauma-Informed Compassionate Classroom
http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/do-s-and-don-ts-of-a-trauma-informed-compassionate-classroom
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Training for Trauma-Impacted Student behaviors
http://www.ciscentraltexas.org/Trauma_Training_For_Educators/
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Calmer Classrooms :
Guide to Working with Trauma-Impacted children
https://earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/files/calmer_classrooms.pdf
https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/SCC.630.001.001.pdf
.Kindergarten-specific:
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/p_10/qklg_pd_res_risk_calm_classroom.pdf
Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms
Dr. Bruce D. Perry
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/creating-emotionally-safe-classroom
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Trauma Training Facilitator’s Toolkit
http://www.ciscentraltexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Trauma-Training-Toolkit-8-29-2016.pdf
http://www.ciscentraltexas.org/resources/traumatraining/
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Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators and Parents / Caja de Herramientas Para Educadores Para el Manejo de Trauma Infantil
http://www.nctsn.org/resources/audiences/school-personnel/trauma-toolkit
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Trauma-Informed Care: Children Exposed to Violence Tips for Teachers
https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/defendingchildhood/legacy/2011/09/19/tips-teachers.pdf
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How to Get Curious (Not Furious) With Students
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Support for Students Exposed to Trauma
(Evidence-based program for Middle School)
http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR675.pdf
http://traumaawareschools.org/tsaResources/resourcecenter#s=289
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7. Screening Tools for childhood trauma
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Customizing ACEs Screening for High School Students in Santa Rosa, CA
http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/customizing-aces-screening-for-high-school-students
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CA pediatrician develops, tests, gets state OK for whole-child assessment tool that includes ACEs (Available in English and Spanish)
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Child Welfare Information Gateway
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/assessment/family-assess/childneeds/trauma/
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More Tools at the end of “Research Journal Article” Section below
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8. Reflection Tool: Trauma-Informed Transitions Supporting (ALL) Staff
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School Policies, Protocols, Procedures & Documents: Review Tool for reflection:
http://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sspw/pdf/traumareviewtool.pdf
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Supporting (ALL) Staff at Trauma Informed Schools
http://traumaawareschools.org/articles/9565
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*** Research Journal Article Links ***
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Trauma’s Impact on Learning and Behavior: A Case for Interventions in Schools
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Understanding the Behavioral and Emotional Consequences of Child Abuse
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/3/667.full
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Brain Development and “Executive Function” skills
“A number of studies have shown that exposure to highly stressful early environments is associated with deficits in the development of children’s working memory, attention, and inhibitory control skills. Damaging fear and toxic stress are likely mechanisms that explain these effects, in part, because they affect the chemistry of brain circuits involved in the development of these capacities, and they impair the specific neuronal architecture that is engaged when we try to keep information in working memory, inhibit a habitual action, or address problems in a flexible manner.”
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Adverse childhood experiences and life opportunities: Shifting the narrative
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740916303449 “compared to persons with no ACEs, persons with three ACEs were 1.53 times as likely not to graduate high school and 2.4 times as likely to be unemployed. Persons with four or more ACEs compared to those with no ACEs were 2.34 times as likely not to graduate high school, 2.3 times as likely to be unemployed, and 1.6 times as likely to live in a household reporting poverty” (Table 2).
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Supporting and Educating Traumatized Students: A Guide for School-Based Professionals
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Too Scared to Learn? The Academic Consequences of Feeling Unsafe in the Classroom
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0042085916674059
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How trauma ‘gets under the skin’: Biological and cognitive processes of child maltreatment
http://www.extension.umn.edu/family/cyfc/our-programs/ereview/docs/March2013ereview.pdf (PAGE 7)
http://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/149429
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Support for Students Exposed to Trauma
(Evidence-based program for Middle School)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2930829/
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Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS): A Whole-School, Multi-level, Prevention and Intervention Program for Creating Trauma-Informed, Safe and Supportive Schools
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12310-016-9177-0
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INTEGRATION Creating Trauma-Informed Systems: Child Welfare, Education, First Responders, Health Care, Juvenile Justice
http://www.mhcc.org.au/media/25289/berkowitz-ford-ko-2008.pdf
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Creating Sanctuary in the School: Journal for a Just and Caring Education
http://sanctuaryweb.com/Portals/0/Bloom%20Pubs/1995%20Bloom%20Sanctuary%20in%20the%20Classroom.pdf
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The Impact of Neglect on Initial Adaptation to School
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775317/
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Improving Implementation of a School-Based Program for Traumatized Students: Identifying Factors that Promote Teacher Support and Collaboration
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12310-015-9170-z (2016)
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Screening and Assessment Tools
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Guidance for Trauma Screening in Schools: A Product of the Defending Childhood State Policy Initiative
http://www.ncmhjj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Screening-Eklund_rossen-FINAL-FORMATTED-1.pdf (September 2106)
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Adopting ACEs Screening and Assessment in in Child Serving Systems
https://del-public-files.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Complex-Trauma-Research-ACE-Screening-and-Assessment-in-Child-Serving-Systems-7-12-final.pdf (Blodgett 2012 Working paper)
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Standardized Measures to Assess Complex Trauma
http://www.nctsn.org/content/standardized-measures-assess-complex-trauma
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Assessing Trauma: Resources for Clinicians
https://www.istss.org/assessing-trauma.aspx
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Trauma Exposure in Elementary School Children: Description of Screening Procedures, Level of Exposure, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12310-015-9167-7 (2016)
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Assessment and Screening Tools for Trauma in Children and Adolescents: A Review
http://tva.sagepub.com/content/6/1/55.abstract
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Adverse childhood experiences: translating knowledge into identification of children at risk for poor outcomes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23312855
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Medical Professionals’ Clinical Assessment Tools AAP
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CA pediatrician develops, tests, gets state OK for whole-child assessment tool that includes ACEs (Available in English and Spanish)
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Child Welfare Information Gateway
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/assessment/family-assess/childneeds/trauma/
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Healthcare ToolBox: Tools you can use; assessment
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https://www.healthcaretoolbox.org/tools-and-resources/tools-you-can-use-screening.html (Screening)
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https://www.healthcaretoolbox.org/tools-and-resources/tools-you-can-use-assessment.html (Assessment)
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Secondary Traumatic Stress Informed Organization Assessment – Center on Trauma and Children
A simple initial organizational self-assessment checklist. http://www.uky.edu/CTAC/STSI-OA
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*** Social Media Links***
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ACEsCONNECTION: ACEs in Education
A group to share ideas on mitigating the effects of adverse childhood experiences in the K-12 environment. http://www.acesconnection.com/g/aces-in-education
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LUCIDWITNESS: The Mission and Index
https://lucidwitness.com/2017/04/01/index-to-lucidwitness/
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“Trauma-Informed Schools” on Facebook
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Why Trauma-Informed Schools ?
https://traumasensitiveschools.org/why/
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5 Core Ideas of Helping Traumatized Children Learn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6BH0NDuj-E
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The Language of Childhood Trauma and Loss: Four Part Video Series featuring Dr. Bruce Perry
(Some are Lessons to use with students) http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/trauma/video.htm
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Introduction to Trauma-Informed Schools : Ten Part Video Series:
Most modules are 12-15 minutes.
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Zero Tolerance discipline versus Childhood Trauma School to Prison Pipeline:
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A series of short vignettes about developmental trauma,“Nowhere to Hide”, on LucidWitness.com .
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“Nowhere to Hide” series overview
click HERE

Photo © Daun Kauffman
“Nowhere to Hide” series links
Each separate, individual article in the series focuses on a single component of the workings of developmental trauma, via real life examples in short “60 second” soundbites, akin to “Public Service Announcements” (PSAs). They are designed for sharing in social media networks to grow public awareness.
Trigger warning:
The children’s experiences in the vignettes are unvarnished. Their traumatic responses may trigger painful memories.
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“PSA” Links for social media
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Nowhere to Hide: Maria; Fight, flight or freeze

Nowhere to Hide: Andre’s Fear; What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?

Nowhere to Hide: Jamar’s Hyper-arousal

Nowhere to Hide: Roberto’s Dissociation

Nowhere to Hide: Danny’s Memory

Nowhere to Hide: Ashley’s “Normal” Education? Part 1

Nowhere to Hide: Ashley’s “Normal” Education? Part 2

More to come
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“Like” us at “Trauma-Informed Schools” on Facebook
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Please share a PSA link to help grow public awareness of the impacts of developmental trauma. There are so many of us who’ve never heard of the overpowering life-long impacts.
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“Peek Inside a Classroom” series overview
The second original series, “Peek Inside a Classroom”, provides much more detailed looks inside my classroom, primarily focused on specific students: Jasmine, Danny and José.
Other children are captured in broader looks at education reform concepts: “Failing Schools or Failing Paradigm?” and “Effective Education Reform”, co-authored with Sandra L. Bloom, M. D..
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“Peek Inside a Classroom” series links
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Peek Inside a Classroom: Jasmine

Peek Inside a Classroom: Danny


Peek Inside a Classroom: Failing Schools or Failing Paradigm?
Peek Inside a Classroom: Effective Education Reform (with Sandra Bloom, M.D.)
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“Click for Resources…” series overview:
“Click for Resources” posts are the theory and research behind the narrative posts in “Nowhere to Hide” and “Peek Inside a Classroom”.
Each post in “Click for Resources “ is divided in three parts:
1) general press articles,
2) Research Journals or academic papers
3) social media, often with video.
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“Click for Resources” series links:
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1. Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Studies: CLICK HERE
2. Impacts of Childhood Trauma: Overview CLICK HERE
Click for Resources: Social Media on Impacts of Childhood Trauma
Click for Resources: Journal Articles on Impacts of Developmental Trauma
3. Trauma-Informed Schools CLICK HERE

4. Trauma-Informed Social Services CLICK HERE

5. Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice CLICK HERE

6. Trauma-Informed Public Policy CLICK HERE

7. Childhood Trauma Training and Tools CLICK HERE

8. Book and Publication selections CLICK HERE

9. #800 phone numbers CLICK HERE

Developmental trauma, still “the elephant in the [class] room” for many adults.
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“Like” us at “Trauma-Informed Schools” on Facebook
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Thanks for providing these resources. Trauma affects so many children in my 1st grade. It manifests on a daily basis. It is exhausting and exasperating to try to teach while you are also managing outbursts and out-of-control behaviors.
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Thanks for sharing Mary. It is all even harder when we don’t see what is “under the skin”. I was frustrated for many years. I am shocked that this sort of learning is not required in college (or even high school) degrees. That’s my focus: awareness, awareness, awareness.
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