On behalf of the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and Human Services Department (HSD) Cross Departmental Training Review Committee, in response to the Kevin S. Agreement to support trauma responsive care for Children in State Custody (CISC) and their families, language will be added to the Scopes of Work (SOW) and all subsequent contracts requiring all staff serving CISC to complete trauma responsive care training. This committee was formed to identify the level and amount of training expected of providers and contractors by the Kevin S. settlement, based on staff roles, in order to create a menu of approved trauma training options, a process to review additional trainings to add to the menu, as well as a process for tracking attendance at trainings. Vendor contracts will include an Attachment with details relating to this process (See attached). 

The purpose of adding this requirement is to establish a baseline understanding and common language among providers, caregivers, Managed Care Organizations (MCO), State staff and others who have direct and indirect contact with CISC. The committee recognizes that many Providers have existing expertise in the provision of trauma responsive care, and the process will allow for the inclusion of the training aspect.

The Cross Departmental Training Review Committee is still developing some details of the training requirements; however, the most recent updates follow as do the specific assumptions of Trauma Informed (Trauma Responsive) Practice and the learning objectives for the trauma responsive trainings. Applications and appendices are attached at the end of this document.

 Key Assumptions of Trauma-Informed [Trauma-Responsive] Practice*

• Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand potential paths for recovery

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system

• Respond by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices

• Seek to actively resist [prevent] re-traumatization

*Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance

for a Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance

Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014. http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA14-

4884/SMA14-4884.pdf

Learning Objectives

The goal of the Trauma Responsive training requirement is to build a system of care where providers working with CISC understand and integrate trauma responsive care into practice. The learning objectives for Trauma Responsive Training curriculum should include at least five (5) components of the following, with the highlighted components being in every training:

·      Define Trauma Informed or Trauma Responsive Care

·      Understand Child Traumatic Stress, especially in the context of the child welfare system

·      Distinguish between Adverse Experiences and Trauma

·      Understand the effects of trauma on child development, behaviors and functioning

·      Prevent re-traumatization

·      Recognize, prevent and cope with Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Caregivers

·      Explore ways to integrate trauma responsive care into policies, procedures and practices

·      Recognize the implications of historical trauma

·      Recognize the implications of family background and culture on children and family’s responses to their traumatic experiences

All staff at an agency that provides care or interventions to CISC must have at minimum two (2) hours of trauma responsive training annually. Any staff who work directly with children and youth (ages 0-21) must have at minimum six (6) hours of trauma responsive training annually. Vendor staff who have direct contact with CISC must follow these same guidelines for trauma training. 

Trauma Responsive training must be completed within 90 days of hire by new staff. Providers must make reasonable efforts to train existing staff to these standards as quickly as possible. The provided menu, in addition to CYFD.HSD provided trainings will make this easier, and most trainings are free. For existing staff, 70% of the staff must meet these training requirements by December 31, 2023 to comply. 

For agencies/providers that already provide trauma responsive training to their staff, an application process has been initiated, and will be attached.  

Click HERE for the Provider Links.

Click HERE for the Attachment A CYFD.

Click HERE for the Provider Application Checklist.