The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System

Abstract

Trauma refers to a deeply stressful experience or its short and long-term impacts. Because exposure to trauma can cause a host of problems with lifelong consequences, early screening and intervention is essential. Child maltreatment can cause traumatic stress in some children, while others are more resilient and show few, if any, lasting effects. Widespread recognition of trauma's harmful impacts and the related consequences for children, families, and society has resulted in Federal, State, and local initiatives over the last decade to promote trauma-informed care. This issue brief outlines the essential components of a trauma-informed child welfare system and features examples from State and local programs that are incorporating trauma-informed practice. After providing a brief overview of trauma and its effects, the brief explores trauma-informed practice and the importance of strengthening families and communities to help them develop resilience and heal. The brief concludes by highlighting the importance of cross-systems collaboration in creating a trauma-informed child welfare system that improves child and family well-being.