Trauma-Informed Child Welfare: From Training to Practice and Policy Change

Abstract

Multiple child welfare systems and agencies have embraced efforts to become more trauma-informed in recent years. However, the field of trauma-informed care is still somewhat in its infancy and only recently has the focus shifted from theoretical concepts into concrete practices that can be identified, measured, evaluated, and sustained over time. One of the key resources designed to help support the development of a trauma-informed child welfare system is the Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit (CWTTT). The CWTTT was developed in 2008 as a collaborative process that included members of the Child Welfare Committee of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). Originally, the CWTTT was developed as a training resource to support child welfare professionals in increasing their understanding regarding trauma and its impact on children. Over time, the CWTTT has undergone multiple iterations and has been involved in numerous state and county initiatives to support their efforts in becoming more trauma-informed. This article will provide historical context on the development of the CWTTT, detailing its evolution since 2007, followed by highlighting the current efforts and future directions of the CWTTT.