Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Schools: A Comprehensive Guide

The mental and emotional well-being of students significantly impacts their ability to learn and grow in the school environment. For children who have experienced trauma, the classroom or school may exacerbate their stress or, conversely, it may become a sanctuary of support and healing. Trauma-informed care (TIC) in schools is an approach that ensures every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to be successful. Here are ways in which your school may support your school’s trauma-informed care framework.

1. Understand the Impact of Trauma as it Impacts Learning

Trauma can alter brain development, affect memory, attention, and emotional regulation. Students may exhibit anxiety, withdrawal, or challenging behaviors, which may be misunderstood as defiance or lack of interest. Educators need foundational knowledge about trauma’s effects to respond with empathy rather than punishment.

2. Foster a Safe and Supportive Environment

Creating a safe environment is critical to TIC. The following items may be beneficial to supporting a student:

• Consistent Routines: When possible, create predictable schedules to support students’ emotional well-being. Schedule creation may or may not involve the student, but when age appropriate, this may allow the student to create safe spaces within their daily class schedules.
• Clear Expectations: Setting rules collaboratively to promote trust with the student.
• Conflict De-escalation: Using strategies that promote calm instead of punitive measures during conflict. Paraeducators offer support with verbal cues that may help de-escalate a situation.

3. Train Staff in Trauma Awareness

Professional development for teachers, administrators, and support staff is essential.  Consider including the following when reviewing your school’s training:

• Recognizing signs of trauma. Learn more from Superintendent Sean Maika about strategies employed by North East Independent School District.
• Employing strategies to de-escalate tense situations. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction offers a printable version of behavior responses to support continued learning for educators.
• Building emotional resilience to manage secondary traumatic stress. Find more training resources through SchoolSafety.gov.

4. Integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social-emotional learning (SEL) skills can help students with emotional regulation, empathy, and problem-solving. Embedding SEL into the curriculum may support students’ abilities to better manage their emotions and relationships. Educators can learn about easy ways to incorporate SEL practices with a previous PublicSchoolWORKS blog post.

5. Establish Access to Mental Health Resources

Having counselors or therapists available in schools ensures students can access professional help when needed. Partnering with local mental health organizations can also expand services. Additional mental health resources may be found using SchoolSafety.gov. Or learn more about cultivating an environment that supports mental health from Nathan Barrett, Superintendent of Hanover Area School District.

As your school evaluates and reflects on trauma-informed care, you will find this is an ongoing process. It is important your school or district regularly evaluate policies and procedures. This may also be an opportunity to review compliance tasks with your school or district’s program management coordinator for efficiency.

Implementing trauma-informed care in schools requires a cultural shift, but one that is important when investing in students. Recognizing the impact of trauma and adapting school policies or practices to meet students’ needs, your school can create an environment where each student has an opportunity to learn, heal, and grow.