Trauma-Informed Systems and Organizations: What Do They Look like?

This course is part of the Online Trauma-Informed Organization Certificate Program: Basics for All Staff. Please visit the Certificate Program website for more information about the certificate program. This program was created by the University at Buffalo School of Social Work’s Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care (ITTIC).

This course may be taken independently or as part of the Basics for All Staff Certificate Program Foundation Requirement.    

Course Description: 

Offers a foundation of information regarding implementation of Trauma-Informed Care into systems and organizations. Staff at all levels within an organization can benefit from this presentation. When an organization learns how to provide Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), they  educate their staff about the effects of violence, victimization and trauma on individuals. The organization also educates its staff about the effects trauma can have on the employees working with them. This educational process creates the foundation to achieve an organizational understanding of how to design services to support trauma survivors and how to support staff. Every aspect of the agency or organization services from how the receptionist handles phone calls, to how the board of directors and executive staff make service policy decisions needs to be viewed through a trauma- informed lens. Trauma-Informed Care is not specifically designed to treat symptoms related to trauma, but to ensure that staff are informed about and sensitive to the trauma-related issues presented by individuals, and that the organization has reviewed its operations, policies and procedures to ensure all services are provided in a Trauma- Informed model. Implementing a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) model creates a supportive and therapeutic environment for individuals exposed to trauma and also for staff. This includes learning about an individual’s past and current history of abuse and psychological trauma.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize why trauma must be addressed;
• Identify and understand each component of a Trauma-Informed Care model;
• Define the steps needed to move forward in transforming the service environment into a Trauma-Informed Care model.

Course Outline:

1. Why does trauma matter?
2. What is trauma?
3. Trauma and the body
4. Historical trauma
5. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
6. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and its guiding principles
7. How does trauma influence our work?
8. Systems of care and impact of retraumatization on clients; impact on staff
9. Resilience; post-traumatic growth
10. Requirements for creating a trauma-informed system of care; SAMHSA ten implementation domains for TIC

Handouts:  If it makes it easier for you to follow the course videos and take notes, we recommend you print your handouts from the Materials section and have them available as you watch the video modules. PowerPoint’s and other handouts are in the Materials tab of the course. They can be saved to your computer or printed.

Readings: Course readings and resources can be found in the Handout section of your course.

Target Audience: This course is appropriate for all levels of human service staff that need foundational information on trauma and Trauma-Informed Care.

Course Availability: You have unlimited access to the course after purchase.

ADA accommodations: If you require supports for your ADA needs in the United States, please contact us in advance by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or phone at 716- 829-5841.

Customer service: We are happy to respond to any questions or concerns you may have. Please contact us by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or phone at 716-829-5841.

Course Completion:

• Please complete the course evaluation and quiz. Based on best continuing education practice, quizzes are included to verify your acquisition of knowledge. A score of 80% is needed to pass. You may retake the quiz if you do not achieve a passing score the first time.
• Certificate of Completion: Upon successful completion of the quiz, you will be able to print your Certificate of Course Completion.