The Traumatic Stress Institute is part of Klingberg Family Centers, a social service agency in New Britain, CT with a wide range of programs that support children and families struggling with issues of trauma.
While preparing my presentation for the Joint Commission Behavior Health Conference next week (it’s not too late to register!), I remembered that one of our proudest moments during our last survey was when the surveyor remarked that this was a special agency.
Angela is very upset. As the Coordinator of the Group Home she has worked hard to be supportive and caring towards her staff. She has been proud of her team, their good relationships, and their low turnover. She has provided many staff recognition and fun activities. But lately she is hearing only complaints. A recent staff survey revealed that staff feels that management undercuts them with the youth. Staff have issues with her, the unit supervisor, and the therapist. Furthermore, Angela is starting to not like the staff much, either. The team has asked for an outside consultation.
What exactly does “new normal” mean? It is an expression that has become mainstream vernacular since the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the field of trauma response and recovery, it is a term that has long been used to provide hope for survivors.
White People Need to Own Our Discomfort
For those of us who are white, the role we find ourselves occupying is that of white supremacy. In her book, What Does It Mean To Be White?, Robin DiAngelo describes white supremacy as:
Supporting Trauma-Informed Transformation in Settings Serving First Nation Communities
Beginning in 2010, the Traumatic Stress Institute began supporting the Yukon Territory (Canada) child welfare system to make the transition to trauma-informed care (TIC).
We are all under noticeably increased stress in this time of the COVID-19 virus changing our lives. We have many things to attend to, from the practical to the personal to the emotional. Our organizations are confronting immediate and longer term challenges from closed programs, potential layoffs, and financial uncertainty.
Looking to begin your program's transformation to trauma-informed care but don't know where to start? Or don't have the funding to invest in a whole-system change initiative right now? Here are some suggestions:
Are you wondering what a trauma-informed care initiative could do for your agency? Trauma-informed care has become a catch phrase of sorts, but what does it really mean? Here's a brief overview of what the change process looks like and what it could feel like for your staff.