Building Trauma-Informed Schools And Communities

Building Trauma InformedSchools and CommunitiesWHERE ARE WE NOW?Dr. M. Rene’ Yoesel, LPCDirector of School CounselingChrissy BashoreAssistant Director of School CounselingNovember 2018MSCA Fall Conference

Where havewe been?Trauma – Informed Schools

Trauma Informed Schools InitiativeOne of the mostimportant things youcan do for atraumatized child isprovide a safe andcaring relationship!

Senate Bill 638Trauma informed schools initiative To consult with the departments of mental health and social servicesfor assistance in fulfilling the requirements of this section (161.1050) To provide information regarding the trauma-informed approach to allschool districts To offer training on the trauma-informed approach to all schooldistricts To develop a website about the trauma-informed schools initiative thatincludes information for schools and parents regarding the traumainformed approach and a guide for schools on how to become traumainformed schools

DESE RESPONSE TO HB1583 & SB638 A workgroup of stakeholders and content experts regarding YouthSuicide Prevention and Awareness, Bullying and Trauma InformedSchools/Communities was convened to address Missouri House Bill1583 and Senate Bill 638. The Workgroup met in October 2016 and February 2017 withsubcommittee work continuing as needed.

DESE Legislative WorkgroupDepartment of Mental HealthMissouri School Teacher AssociationAmerican Foundation for Suicide PreventionMissouri Consultant for EducationMissouri National Educator AssociationMissouri Kids FirstAvery’s Angels FoundationMissouri School Board AssociationMissouri Center for Education SafetyMissouri Association of Elementary School PrincipalsHook Center for Educational ResearchMissouri Association of School AdministratorsMissouri School counselor AssociationKids Under Twenty OneSt. Louis Regional Health / Alive and Well STLDepartment of Social ServicesSchool Social Workers Association of MissouriMissouri Association of Rural EducationMissouri Association of School PsychologistsCHADS Coalition for Mental HealthMissouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual ViolenceTruman Medical CenterMissouri Developmental Disabilities CouncilCommunity Partnership of the OzarksSt. Louis Mental Health BoardCharacter PlusDepartment of Elementary and Secondary Education

LegLegislative Workgroup Met two times as a wholegroup Divided in to threesubgroups Trauma-Informed Bullying Youth Suicide Preventionand Awareness

Pursuant to Missouri Senate Bill 638,Section 161.1050

WebsiteEach school district shall provide theaddress of the website to all parentsof the students in its district beforeOctober first of each school year.

The Missouri Model (DMH)The implementation of a trauma-informed approach is an ongoing organizationalchange process. A “trauma-informed approach” is not a program model that can beimplemented and then simply monitored by a fidelity checklist. Rather, it is aprofound paradigm shift in knowledge, perspective, attitudes and skills that continuesto deepen and unfold over time. Some leaders in the field are beginning to talk abouta “continuum” of implementation, where organizations move through stages. Thecontinuum begins with becoming trauma aware and moves to trauma sensitive toresponsive to being fully trauma informed.Purpose: To ensure that agencies do no harm; to assess the implementation of basicprinciple of trauma-informed approaches in various organizational settings; todevelop a common language and framework for discussion; and to help increase theeffectiveness of services, wherever and whatever they are, by increasing awareness oftrauma.

Missouri Student uth Risk Behavior ndex.htmYRBSClick to enter ContentDMH Status Report on lDMHKnow the culture and climate of your school and community.Trauma is pervasive across all communities.

Missouri Trend Data

20162022016County949MO data ‘14 County886

’16 CountyMO’14 County

Community Resources15Community Mental Health Center MU Extension Hospitals Law Enforcement Business Leaders Ministerial Alliances United Way**Schools cannot do this alone

Where arewe now?Trauma – Informed Schools

School Guidance for the MissouriModel (Trauma Informed)Initial Review bythe MissouriTraumaRoundtableAugust 2018Review byeducationalleaders fromMissouriSeptember 2018Review ofchanges byMissouri TraumaRoundtableOctober 2018Collaboration ofDESE, DMH, andMissouri TraumaRoundtable forsoft rolloutJanuary 2019

Trauma-Informed Schools A trauma-informed school is not simply a schoolwhere staff know about trauma, or a school wherethere is a therapeutic classroom or additionalcounseling staff. A trauma-informed schoolfundamentally has changed the way it works topromote healthy, resilient learners capable ofdisrupting the cycle of trauma in their lives andcommunities and creating more equitable outcomes.

Trauma-Informed SchoolsSchools working to become trauma informed must address allaspects of their work, including: Student disciplineEmployee wellbeingBuilding environmentParental engagementCommunity partnershipsRacism and inequityCurriculum design Decision-making strategiesAssessment and measurementTransportationFood serviceAnd many, many more

Moving Towards Trauma Informed Step 1: Universal Trauma Training Step 2: Creation of a Trauma Team Step 3: Ongoing practice, culture, policy, andsystems change

Role of Leadership Building and district leadership is what makes thedifference in the trauma-informed process Building and district leaders should be theleaders of their trauma teams Leaders must model trauma-informed practicesand principles in their behavior and supervision

Step 1 - Universal Trauma Training In order to build a commonvocabulary and build readiness inthe staff, it is important to providean introductory training to ALL staffincluding support staff andadministration. (Trauma Aware)

An introductory training should include:1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.Defining traumaCommunity and historical traumaStress Response System (Fight, flight or freeze)PrevalenceAdverse Childhood Experience StudyEffect of trauma on the developing brain and bodyLong term impacts on health, behavior and learningImpact of trauma through the lifespanThe potential for healing and power of resilienceChanging the question from “What is wrong with you” to “What happenedto you”Draft

Step 2 - Create a Trauma Team Becoming trauma informed requires the buyin and investment of people in your school. Acore team of 5-10 individuals should analyzethe existing practices and policies, createaction plans and implement change. The teamshould present a diverse set of viewpoints.School leadership MUST be a member of theteam.(Trauma Sensitive)

Sample Trauma Team1.2.3.4.5.PrincipalInstructional CoordinatorSchool Counselor/Social WorkerClassroom teacherOther teaching or support staff (including office staff, foodservice, custodial staff and other support roles)6. Parent and/or student7. School Nurse8. Community PartnerDraft

Step 3 - Ongoing Change (program,practice and policy) It is important to understand the startingpoint of your school. No two schools are alikeso no two journeys will be the same. Success is a process and not a destination. Start with changes in knowledge changes inpractice changes in culture changes inpolicy changes in systems. (Trauma Responsive – Trauma Informed)

Trauma-Informed School IndicatorsThe journey to becoming trauma informed is not a linear one, andthere is no single roadmap or checklist to complete.The goal of the indicators is to help school leaders understand theprocess.Indicators are listed with rubrics:Stage 0: Pre-trauma AwareStage 1: Trauma AwareStage 2: Trauma SensitiveStage 3: Trauma ResponsiveStage 4: Trauma InformedDraft

Indicators School leadership and staff demonstrate an understanding of the impactand prevalence of trauma in daily practice.An equity lens is applied to all programs and policies to address bias andthe impact of historical trauma and systemic oppression.Students are given age-appropriate information about stress, trauma, andemotional/behavioral regulation and opportunities to develop new copingtools.Staff have access to needed supports, including coaching, consultation,and meaningful professional development: benefits that support theirhealth and well-being, necessary materials and resources; andadministrative support in prioritizing self-care.Draft

Indicators Schools actively, appropriately, and meaningfully engage parents andcaregivers in relevant educational opportunities and decision making at alllevels.Discipline practices and policies support restoring and repairingcommunity, addressing the unmet, underlying needs driving behavior,exercising compassion, and supporting a culture of accountability.Students are given meaningful and developmentally appropriateleadership and decision-making opportunities, particularly around issuesthat directly impact their experiences and education.Staff have access to meaningful leadership opportunities and aresupported in trying new and innovative techniques to support students.Draft

Indicators Schools actively, appropriately, and meaningfully partner with communityorganizations to meet the needs of students and staff.Curriculum design across grade levels and subject areas supports thetrauma-informed process.Human resources and supervision practices, including hiring, performancemanagement, and employment transitions reflect the principles oftrauma-informed care.Schools have a system in place to continually evaluate and improvepractices and policies.Draft

How does this look? Universal trauma training – baseline training with all staffCommunity building practices – morning meetings, community circles,intentional culture buildingPrioritizing staff needs – quiet/cool down space, teacher breaks, EAPsChanging discipline – restorative practices, reducing suspensions, changingISS to focus on reflection and social and behavioral skill buildingCreating space to regulate – sensory, calming and cool-down spaces forstudentsConnecting community – provide with education about trauma and self-care,involving them in decision-making processes, and positive relationshipbuilding.

Dr. M. Rene’ Yoesel rene.yoesel@dese.mo.govChrissy Bashore chrissy.bashore@dese.mo.gov

informed approach and a guide for schools on how to become trauma informed schools . . Some leaders in the field are beginning to talk about a “continuum” of implementation, where organizations move through stages. . Community building practice