Upon coming into office, Governor Mike DeWine committed to comprehensively reviewing Ohio’s children services system and prioritizing needed reforms. In November 2019, Governor DeWine created the Children Services Transformation (CST) Advisory Council to conduct a comprehensive review of the children services system. The Children Services Transformation Advisory Council prioritized 37 recommendations to improve Ohio’s children services and foster care system. The recommendations align with seven core action areas identified during the 10 forums as needing to be addressed. The seven core action areas are prevention, workforce, practice, kinship, foster care, adoption, and juvenile justice.

Within the foster care core action area is the CST recommendation titled "Develop trauma-informed training for all involved in the system, including resource families, caseworkers, agency staff, courts, service providers, mandated reporters (such as teachers and counselors), kinship caregivers, and parents." This recommendation specifically states, "Having a shared understanding of trauma and how it relates to children and families is vital among all who are impacted by the children services system. Trauma-informed training, at a minimum, must include information about trauma and its impact on development."

As a result of this recommendation, the Office of Families and Children (OFC) has partnered with agencies across Ohio to collectively gather many available training and resources about trauma and adversity to family members, providers, statewide agencies, counties, public and private organizations, healthcare workers, and others who may provide support and services to Ohioans. The resources listed provide up-to-date information and developments in child services, education, juvenile justice, criminal justice, public health, medicine, mental health, social services, cities, counties, and states. We’re hopeful this webpage provides valuable tools and resources for you and your team to continue your own professional development in Trauma Informed Care. Should you have any specific questions regarding any training topics, please visit the respective agency responsible for the training within their organization.

OFC would like to thank our partners at ODJFS, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), Ohio Department of Education (ODE), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), Academy on Violence and Abuse (AVA), PACEs Connection, ACES Too High, and Tufts HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences).

• Ohio Trauma-Informed Care Certificate
• Center of Disease Control (CDC)
• Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Ohio Department of Education
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare - CEBC
• Academy on Violence & Abuse
• PACEs Connection (formerly ACEs Connection)
• ACEs Too High
• HOPE: Health Outcomes From Positive Experiences

With the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First), Ohio has the opportunity to better respond to trauma in children and their families. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and developmental trauma are highly correlated with increased risk of serious emotional problems, substance abuse, an increased likelihood of becoming a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, chronic disease and disability, mortality, increased health care costs, social and worker performance problems.  If a professional interacts with the public, as a case manager, caseworker, teacher, therapist, police officer, pastor, probation officer, etc., the time is right to change the dialogue from "what is wrong with you" to "what happened to you."

In December 2020, ODJFS Offices of Family Assistance and Families and Children, in partnership with OhioMHAS, implemented an Ohio Trauma Informed Care Certificate program. This certificate program is designed to be a professional development tool to move staff from being trauma aware to trauma competent.  Three certificate levels are offered.  The certificate demonstrates knowledge and skill development in Trauma Competencies adopted by the Family First Leadership Advisory Committee.  The certificate is valid for a period of two years.

The certificate recognition program is housed in the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA), Ohio Professional Registry (OPR) system, and is open to anyone in the social or human services field who desires to apply.  The OPR will allow professionals to document and track their training and skill development.  The Trauma Informed Care Certificate is a certificate of attendance based upon completion of training that meets the Trauma Informed Competencies as determined by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Training can be completed from several sources. 

• Trauma Informed Care - OCCRRA
  • Trauma Informed Care FAQs
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Trauma Informed Care Application User Guidelines
  • Training Informed Care Training Opportunities

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Violence Prevention

In 1979, the U.S. Surgeon General identified violent behavior as a key public health priority. In 1980, CDC began studying patterns of violence. This effort grew into a national program to reduce the death and disability associated with injuries outside the workplace. In 1992, CDC established the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) as the lead federal organization for violence prevention. The Division of Violence Prevention (DVP) is one of three divisions within NCIPC. DVP is focused on preventing violence and its consequences so that all people, families, and communities are safe, healthy, and free from violence

• Fast Facts: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Risk and Protective Factors
• Prevention Strategies
• Help Youth At Risk for ACEs
• CDC-Kaiser ACE Study
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ACE Data
• Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences: Data to Action
• Adverse Childhood Experiences Resources

Ohio's Trauma-competent Care (TCC) Initiative  

The Ohio Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and Developmental Disabilities (DODD) collaborate on a statewide Trauma-Informed Care (TCC) Initiative intended to promote a greater sense of safety, security and equality among consumers/clients. TCC is an approach that explicitly acknowledges the role trauma plays in people’s lives. TCC means that every part of an organization or program understands the impact of trauma on the individuals they serve and adopts a culture that considers and addresses this impact.

• TCC Regional Collaboratives
• TCC Resource Library 
   

Since Summer of 2013, an interagency workgroup comprised of leaders from Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS) and Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) has been meeting to formulate plans to expand TIC across the state. A portion of the “Strong Families, Safe Communities” funds from the Governor’s Office have been earmarked for this purpose. The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC)/SAMHSA and Ohio Center for Innovative Practices (CIP) have also consulted formally, and Additional conversations and advice from Ohio Hospital Association, OACBHA, Ohio Council, PCSAO, and many others.

The Wellness Project | Department of Developmental Disabilities (ohio.gov)

A Trauma-Informed School is one in which all students and staff feel safe, welcomed and supported and where the impact of trauma on teaching and learning is addressed at the center of the educational mission. Trauma-informed schools create school policies, practices and cultures that are sensitive to the needs of traumatized individuals and ensure that all individuals (students, families, and staff) meet their maximum potential.

• The Impact of Trauma on Students
  Trauma can impact an individual in many ways, and an individual’s response to a traumatic event can vary. Circumstances of the event such as when, how, where, how often and the responses of others can impact an individual’s response. Children may experience symptoms related to brain development, learning and behavior — all of which impact academic success.
• Become a Trauma-Informed District or School
  There are many avenues to incorporate trauma-informed approaches in a school environment. Trauma-informed approaches can be included as part of the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP) and align with the social and emotional programs that are part of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. Trauma-informed approaches strengthen staff and student connections, promote parent and community partnerships, and improve school climate.

About the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)  

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

• Resources for Child Trauma-Informed Care
• Trauma and Violence
• Understanding Child Trauma
• Recognizing and Treating Child Traumatic Stress
• Homelessness Resources: Trauma
• Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. This unique network of frontline providers, family members, researchers, and national partners is committed to changing the course of children’s lives by improving their care and moving scientific gains quickly into practice across the U.S. The NCTSN is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and coordinated by the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS).

• Interventions
  The dissemination of standardized, effective, trauma-informed clinical interventions is a central means by which the NCTSN seeks to advance the standard of care for traumatized children and to increase the nation’s capacity to meet the needs of these children. In recognition of the diverse needs of the child and adolescent populations served by NCTSN sites across the country, the interventions and treatments listed here span a continuum of evidence-based and evidence-supported interventions ranging from rigorously evaluated interventions to promising and newly emerging practices.
• Screening and Assessment
  Trauma-informed screening and assessment practices help providers identify children’s and families’ needs early in the process and to tailor services to meet those needs.
• What is Child Trauma?
  • About Child Trauma
  • Trauma Types
  • Populations At Risk
• NCTSN Trauma-Informed Organizational Assessment
  Trauma-informed care occurs when all parties involved recognize and respond to the impact of traumatic stress on those who have contact with an organization, including children, caregivers, and service providers. Trauma-informed organizations infuse and sustain trauma awareness, knowledge, and skills into their organizational cultures, practices, and policies.
• Training
  The NCTSN offers both online and in-person training on a range of topics, from general trauma education to assessment and intervention techniques, to Breakthrough Series Collaboratives focused on systems change.

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

The CEBC helps to identify and disseminate information regarding evidence-based practices relevant to child welfare. Evidence-based practices are those that have empirical research supporting their efficacy. The CEBC Program Registry provides information on both evidence-based and non-evidence-based child welfare related practices to statewide agencies, counties, public and private organizations, and individuals. This information is provided in simple straightforward formats reducing the user's need to conduct literature searches, review extensive literature, or understand and critique research methodology. The Not able to be Rated programs are included in an effort to provide the user with the most accurate information possible on child welfare practices that are in common use.

Academy on Violence and Abuse

The mission of the AVA is to advance health education and research on the recognition, treatment, and prevention of the health effects of violence and abuse throughout the life course.

• ACEs Study Videos
  Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is the largest and most influential study of the relationship between childhood adversity and long-term health. Videos available at this site include: interviews with Drs. Vincent Felitti and Robert Anda, ACE Study Co-Investigators, overview videos and other videos on how the ACE Study "changed the landscape" regarding how researchers and clinicians look at childhood trauma.
• Increasing Resilience
  Resilience does not occur in isolation but is supported by a composite of protective factors that empower a child to return to functional status following ACEs.
• Evidence-Based Child and Adolescent Treatment

PACEs Connection

The science of PACEs refers to the research about the stunning effects of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PACEs) and how they work together to affect our lives, as well as our organizations, systems, and communities. It comprises: The CDC-Kaiser Permanente ACEStudy; Brain science; Health consequences; Historical and generational trauma; and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and resilience research and practice.

• PACEs Connection Resource Center
  Resources are built on the foundation of positive and adverse childhood experiences science, which includes the:
  • epidemiology of adverse childhood experiences ACE Study, expanded ACE surveys);
  • neurobiology of toxic stress caused by ACEs;
  • health consequences of toxic stress;
  • epigenetic consequences of toxic stress passed on from generation to generation;
  • positive childhood experiences, resilience research and practice.
• Ask the Community
• National and international communities involved in the PACEs movement

ACES Too High is a news site that reports on research about positive and adverse childhood experiences, including developments in epidemiology, neurobiology, and the biomedical and epigenetic consequences of toxic stress. We also cover how people, organizations, agencies, and communities are implementing practices and policies based on the research. This includes developments in education, juvenile justice, criminal justice, public health, medicine, mental health, social services, and cities, counties, and states.

• About ACEs Too High
• What ACEs/PCEs do you have?
• Research

Tufts HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences

Positive experiences can ease toxic stress and help children and youth grow into more resilient, healthier adults. HOPE identifies ways that our communities and systems of care can better ensure that all children have more positive experiences and that all families have support to nurture and celebrate their strengths. HOPE, grounded in science that demonstrates the formative role of positive experiences in human development, seeks to inspire a HOPE-informed movement that fundamentally transforms how we advance health and well-being for our children, families, and communities.

Resources

• Fact Sheets
• Media Appearances
• Presentations
• Publications
• Stories
• ...and More