Lesson Plan
Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Workshop
Participants will understand the core principles of trauma-informed care and apply practical strategies to create a safe, trustworthy, and empowering environment within their professional settings.
Trauma-informed care is essential for fostering healing, preventing re-traumatization, and promoting the well-being of both individuals receiving services and the adult service providers delivering them. Implementing these practices creates more supportive and effective environments.
Audience
Adult Service Providers
Time
150 minutes
Approach
Interactive workshop with presentations, discussions, and practical activity.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Building a Trauma-Informed Environment Slide Deck, Markers or Whiteboard, Flip Charts or Large Paper, Action Plan for Organizational Change Project Guide, and Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric
Prep
Workshop Preparation
60 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Workshop Lesson Plan, Building a Trauma-Informed Environment Slide Deck, Action Plan for Organizational Change Project Guide, and Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric.
- Ensure projector/smartboard is functional.
- Prepare flip charts/whiteboard space for group activities.
- Print copies of the Action Plan for Organizational Change Project Guide and Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric for each participant.
Step 1
Welcome and Introduction (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Welcome participants and introduce the topic of trauma-informed practices.
- Briefly explain the workshop's objectives and agenda.
- Facilitate a quick warm-up activity: Ask participants to share one word that comes to mind when they hear 'trauma-informed care.'
Step 2
Understanding Trauma and Its Impact (30 minutes)
30 minutes
- Use Building a Trauma-Informed Environment Slide Deck (Slides 1-5) to define trauma and its prevalence.
- Discuss the impact of trauma on individuals, including brain development and behavior.
- Lead a brief discussion on common misconceptions about trauma.
Step 3
Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care (45 minutes)
45 minutes
- Present the 6 core principles of trauma-informed care using Building a Trauma-Informed Environment Slide Deck (Slides 6-11).
- For each principle (Safety, Trustworthiness & Transparency, Peer Support, Collaboration & Mutuality, Empowerment/Voice & Choice, Cultural/Historical/Gender Issues), provide real-world examples relevant to adult service providers.
- Facilitate small group discussions: Assign each group one principle and ask them to brainstorm how it currently is (or isn't) demonstrated in their professional setting.
Step 4
Practical Applications and Strategies (45 minutes)
45 minutes
- Discuss practical strategies for implementing trauma-informed care in various settings, referencing Building a Trauma-Informed Environment Slide Deck (Slides 12-15).
- Cover topics like creating physically and psychologically safe spaces, clear communication, fostering choice, and recognizing vicarious trauma.
- Introduce the Action Plan for Organizational Change Project Guide. Explain that this will be a take-home project to apply learned concepts.
- Briefly review the Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric which will be used to assess their action plans.
Step 5
Q&A and Wrap-up (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Open the floor for questions and answers.
- Summarize key takeaways from the workshop.
- Encourage participants to utilize the Action Plan for Organizational Change Project Guide and the Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric.
- Thank participants for their engagement.
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Welcome: Building a Trauma-Informed Environment
Creating Safe, Trustworthy, and Empowering Spaces for All.
Welcome participants and introduce yourself. Briefly explain the purpose of the workshop: to understand and implement trauma-informed practices.
What Does Trauma-Informed Mean to You?
Share a word or short phrase that comes to mind.
Ask participants: "What comes to mind when you hear 'trauma-informed care'?" Encourage a quick, one-word share. This activates prior knowledge and sets a collaborative tone.
Understanding Trauma: More Than Just an Event
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or series of events. It's not just what happened, but how an individual experienced and was affected by it.
Key aspects:
- Individual experience
- Acute vs. Chronic trauma
- Historical and Intergenerational trauma
Define trauma broadly, emphasizing it's an individual experience. Discuss different types of trauma (e.g., single incident, complex, developmental). Provide examples relevant to adult service providers.
The Lasting Echoes of Trauma: Impact on Individuals
Trauma can significantly impact:
- Brain Development: Affects areas related to emotional regulation, impulse control, and memory.
- Physical Health: Linked to chronic health conditions.
- Behavior & Relationships: Can lead to difficulty with trust, self-regulation, and forming healthy attachments.
- Coping Mechanisms: Often manifest in ways that are misunderstood or judged.
Explain how trauma can impact the brain and body (e.g., fight, flight, freeze response, hypervigilance). Discuss the link between trauma and challenging behaviors, reframing them as coping mechanisms.
Dispelling Myths About Trauma
- Myth: Trauma-informed care is only for individuals with a formal PTSD diagnosis.
- Reality: It acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and potential paths for recovery.
- Myth: Being trauma-informed means being overly permissive.
- Reality: It means understanding the root causes of behavior and responding with empathy, while still maintaining boundaries.
Briefly address common myths to ensure a shared, accurate understanding. For example, 'It's only for people with severe mental illness' or 'It means excusing bad behavior.'
The Six Guiding Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Developed by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):
- Safety
- Trustworthiness & Transparency
- Peer Support
- Collaboration & Mutuality
- Empowerment/Voice & Choice
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
Introduce the concept of the 6 guiding principles from SAMHSA. Explain that these are foundational to creating a trauma-informed environment.
Principle 1: Safety - Feeling Secure in All Ways
Ensuring both physical and psychological safety for both clients and staff.
- Physical Safety: A welcoming and non-threatening environment.
- Psychological Safety: Predictability, clear expectations, respect, and emotional security.
Elaborate on safety. Discuss both physical safety (e.g., well-lit areas, clear exits) and psychological safety (e.g., predictability, respect, emotional security). Ask for participant examples.
Principle 2: Trustworthiness & Transparency - Building Bridges
Maximizing trustworthiness through clear, consistent communication and transparent decision-making.
- Consistency: Follow-through on commitments.
- Honesty: Open and clear communication.
- Boundaries: Clear roles and expectations.
Explain the importance of clear communication, consistent boundaries, and honesty in building trust. Discuss how transparency in decision-making can reduce anxiety. Ask for participant examples.
Principle 3: Peer Support - Strength in Shared Experience
Leveraging support from those with lived experience to foster healing and recovery.
- Shared Understanding: Connection with others who have similar experiences.
- Hope & Inspiration: Seeing others thrive.
- Advocacy: Empowering individuals to advocate for themselves and others.
Discuss how peer support can be invaluable for individuals who have experienced trauma, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding. Mention both formal and informal peer support.
Principle 4: Collaboration & Mutuality - Working Together
Partnering with individuals and sharing power in decision-making.
- Shared Decision-Making: Including individuals in planning their care.
- Respectful Relationships: Valuing input from all parties.
- Team Approach: Staff working together and with clients.
Highlight the shift from 'doing for' to 'working with.' Emphasize shared power and decision-making. Explain how this builds a sense of agency. Ask for participant examples.
Principle 5: Empowerment, Voice & Choice - Restoring Agency
Prioritizing and maximizing individuals' sense of control and self-efficacy.
- Valuing Input: Ensuring individuals feel heard and respected.
- Offering Choices: Providing options whenever possible.
- Building Strengths: Focusing on capabilities and resilience.
Discuss how providing choices and valuing an individual's voice helps to counteract the disempowering nature of trauma. Stress the importance of active listening. Ask for participant examples.
Principle 6: Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues - Respecting Identity
Actively moving past cultural stereotypes and biases, offering culturally responsive services, and recognizing historical and gender-specific trauma.
- Cultural Humility: Lifelong learning and self-reflection.
- Addressing Bias: Challenging assumptions and stereotypes.
- Tailored Services: Adapting approaches to individual and community needs.
Explain how cultural competence is crucial. Discuss the impact of historical trauma, gender-specific trauma, and systemic oppression. Emphasize tailoring services to individual backgrounds. Ask for participant examples.
Putting Principles into Practice: Your Role
How can you integrate these principles into your daily interactions and organizational practices?
- Self-Reflection: How do your current practices align?
- Small Changes: What immediate adjustments can be made?
- Advocacy: How can you promote trauma-informed care within your organization?
Transition to practical application. Prompt participants to think about their own work environments. Encourage them to identify areas where they can start implementing these principles.
Actionable Strategies for a Trauma-Informed Environment
- Communication: Clear, predictable, and respectful language.
- Environment: Creating physically and emotionally safe spaces.
- Policies & Procedures: Reviewing and adjusting to be trauma-informed.
- Staff Training: Ongoing education and support for vicarious trauma.
- Feedback Loops: Regularly seeking input from individuals served and staff.
Provide concrete examples for adult service settings. For instance, for 'Safety': clearly marked exits, calming colors; for 'Trustworthiness': explaining procedures clearly; for 'Empowerment': offering choices in scheduling or activities.
Your Next Steps: Action & Reflection
To solidify your learning and begin implementation:
- Individual Action Plan: Develop a plan to apply trauma-informed principles in your setting. (Action Plan for Organizational Change Project Guide)
- Self-Assessment: Reflect on your current practices and identify areas for growth. (Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric)
- Continuous Learning: Trauma-informed care is an ongoing journey.
Introduce the Action Plan for Organizational Change Project Guide as a take-home activity. Explain that it will help them apply the workshop content to their specific context. Briefly mention the Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric for evaluating their plans.
Questions & Conclusion
Thank you for your engagement and commitment to building more trauma-informed environments!
Open the floor for any remaining questions. Thank everyone for their participation and encourage them to continue their learning journey.
Project Guide
Action Plan for Organizational Change: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care
Objective: Develop a comprehensive action plan to integrate trauma-informed principles into your professional setting or organization.
Instructions: This project requires you to apply the principles of trauma-informed care discussed in the workshop to your specific work environment. Your action plan should be practical, realistic, and tailored to your context.
Project Steps:
Step 1: Identify Your Setting and Current Practices
-
Describe your professional setting/organization:
- What is the primary function of your organization?
- Who are the primary individuals/groups served?
- What are the typical interactions or services provided?
-
Reflect on current practices related to trauma-informed care:
- In what ways does your organization currently embody (or not embody) the 6 core principles (Safety, Trustworthiness & Transparency, Peer Support, Collaboration & Mutuality, Empowerment/Voice & Choice, Cultural/Historical/Gender Issues)?
- Highlight 2-3 strengths and 2-3 areas for improvement.
Step 2: Choose Your Focus Area
- Select one specific area or principle of trauma-informed care you want to focus on for improvement within your setting. Explain why you chose this area.
Step 3: Develop Your Action Plan
Create a detailed action plan for your chosen focus area. Be specific about the steps, resources, and timelines.
| Action Step | Description (What will be done?) | Rationale (Why is this important for trauma-informed care?) | Resources Needed (Who/What?) | Timeline (When?) | Expected Outcome/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | |||||
| 2. | |||||
| 3. | |||||
| 4. |
Step 4: Anticipate Challenges and Solutions
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Identify potential challenges you might face when implementing your action plan (e.g., resistance from colleagues, lack of resources, time constraints).
-
Propose solutions or strategies to overcome these challenges.
Step 5: Reflection and Evaluation
-
How will you measure the success of your implemented action plan? What indicators will you look for?
-
How does this action plan align with the principles of trauma-informed care and contribute to creating a more supportive environment?
Submission:
Submit your completed Action Plan for Organizational Change. It will be assessed using the Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric.
Rubric
Trauma-Informed Practice Self-Assessment Rubric
Project: Action Plan for Organizational Change
This rubric will be used to assess your Action Plan for Organizational Change, evaluating how well it integrates and reflects trauma-informed principles. Score each criterion from 1 (Beginning) to 4 (Exemplary).
| Criteria | 1 - Beginning (Needs Significant Development) | 2 - Developing (Some Development Needed) | 3 - Proficient (Meets Expectations) | 4 - Exemplary (Exceeds Expectations) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Clarity of Setting & Current Practices | Description is vague; strengths/areas for improvement are unclear or irrelevant. | Description is somewhat clear; identifies some strengths/areas but lacks detail or relevance. | Provides a clear description of the setting and relevant strengths/areas for improvement. | Provides a highly detailed and insightful description of the setting, identifying nuanced strengths and critical areas for improvement. |
| 2. Focus Area Identification & Rationale | Focus area is unclear or not connected to trauma-informed care; rationale is missing or weak. | Focus area is identified but rationale is somewhat generalized or lacks depth. | Clearly identifies a relevant focus area and provides a logical rationale for its selection. | Identifies a highly relevant and impactful focus area with a compelling and well-articulated rationale. |
| 3. Action Plan - Specificity & Realism | Action steps are vague, unrealistic, or not clearly linked to the chosen focus area; lacks key details (resources, timeline, outcomes). | Action steps are somewhat specific but may lack realism or a clear connection to the focus; some details (resources, timeline, outcomes) are present but incomplete. | Presents specific, realistic, and actionable steps directly linked to the focus area, with clear details on resources, timeline, and expected outcomes. | Develops a highly specific, innovative, and realistic action plan with well-defined steps, comprehensive resources, a practical timeline, and measurable, impactful outcomes. |
| 4. Alignment with Trauma-Informed Principles | Action plan shows minimal to no connection to the 6 core trauma-informed principles. | Action plan demonstrates some awareness of trauma-informed principles, but connections are superficial or inconsistent. | Action plan clearly aligns with and integrates at least 3-4 of the 6 core trauma-informed principles. | Action plan deeply integrates and clearly articulates how it addresses all 6 core trauma-informed principles throughout its design and implementation. |
| 5. Anticipation of Challenges & Solutions | No challenges or solutions are identified, or they are irrelevant/unrealistic. | Identifies some challenges, but solutions are generic or not fully developed. | Identifies realistic challenges and proposes thoughtful, practical solutions to overcome them. | Anticipates a comprehensive range of potential challenges and offers creative, robust, and proactive solutions. |
| 6. Reflection & Evaluation | Measurement of success is absent or extremely vague; reflection on alignment is minimal. | Measurement of success is somewhat defined but lacks specificity; reflection on alignment is basic. | Clearly outlines how success will be measured with specific indicators and provides a thoughtful reflection on the plan's alignment with trauma-informed care. | Provides a robust and innovative approach to measuring success with clear, data-driven indicators, and offers a profound reflection on the plan's comprehensive alignment and potential for transformative impact. |
Overall Score:
- 20-24 Points: Exemplary
- 15-19 Points: Proficient
- 10-14 Points: Developing
- 6-9 Points: Beginning