Step 1 of 6
Organizational commitment is demonstrated through dedicated support for a trauma-informed infrastructure that includes specific funding and employee time for implementing trauma-informed care. Organizations acknowledge that an understanding of the impact of trauma is central to effective service delivery and make operational decisions accordingly. Organizational commitment is evident within all four domains outlined in SAMHSA’s TIC Guidance: (1) Governance and Leadership, (2) Policy, (3) Financing, and (4) Engagement and Involvement. Leadership collaborates with other organizations to create a trauma-informed community that follows the principles of trauma-informed care across sectors.
Culture and climate is the cohesive narrative, the glue, that holds a trauma-informed community together. It is the embodiment of all that is seen, heard, done, and experienced in spaces and settings. Trauma-informed practices and settings demonstrate an understanding of the impact of trauma and toxic stress on the body (both individual and organizational) and the power of relationship and belonging. This understanding appears in the language used, protocols that are followed, and behaviors that are witnessed.
The professional development plan for staff is demonstrated by staff competency and skills, as well as how the principles and values of trauma-informed care are applied in the training methodology. The plan’s goal is staff embodiment of the content shared. Training is paired with educational opportunities that promote competence (knowledge) and confidence (skill) to apply to trauma-informed approaches (TIA). This learning is done at a reasonable pace, is role specific, and performed throughout the job cycle (Ask “who needs to know what by when?”).
Policies and procedures offer a mechanism to sustain TIC, allowing helpful practices to evolve over time in response to feedback and growing knowledge about the field. Policies and procedures are reviewed through a TI lens with a process that defines how misalignment with TI values is handled. The process will continuously examine “who is at the table” and whose voice and experience is centered. Changes are made in areas within an organization’s locus of control. The limitation of regulatory bodies is recognized and system change is sought.
Feedback and quality assurance techniques are used to impact practice. Trauma-informed organizations demonstrate inclusive and effective feedback practices that solicit how staff and service recipients feel and experience the organization. The feedback process is routine, multimodal, and centers those most impacted by the work. The feedback received and plans for practice, policy, and procedure change are shared. These processes demonstrate knowledge about the impacts of trauma in the organization’s methods, language, how the feedback is sought, and how the information is used.