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Trauma-Informed Care and Practices
The terms trauma-informed care and trauma-informed practices refer to a framework for treatment in education and childcare that involves recognizing, understanding, and responding to the presence and effects of all types of trauma, in an effort to minimize the effects without causing any additional trauma. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network explains the particular need for a common framework for assessing trauma in children, as they “may be diagnosed with a range of disorders, and consequently treated with multiple medications and therapies that are ultimately ineffective because they fail to address the underlying problem”.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration currently funds the National Center for Trauma-Informed Care, which was created in 2005 and supports several of the Administration’s behavioral health initiatives.

The SAMHSA defines a trauma-informed approach as one that "realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery", "recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma", "responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices" and " seeks to actively resist re-traumatization". The SAMHSA also outlines six key principles of a trauma-informed approach: Safety; Trustworthiness and Transparency; Peer Support; Collaboration and Mutuality; Empowerment, Voice and Choice; and Cultural, Historic and Gender Issues.

The Children's Bureau, an office of the Administration for Children and Families, currently provides resources to help administrators implement change in their systems to make them more trauma-informed, as well as resources for families and caregivers about using a trauma-informed approach with their children.

The Children's Bureau also acknowledges the possibility of secondary trauma, which can affect professionals working with children and families who have experienced or are experiencing trauma.