The goal of the Trauma-Informed Communities Committee is to promote the development of resilient and trauma-informed communities in Livingston County through prevention, education, outreach, and policy changes.
What is trauma informed care?
Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” A trauma-informed approach to care acknowledges that organizations and care teams need to have a complete picture of a patient’s life situation — past and present — in order to provide effective services with a healing orientation. Adopting trauma-informed practices can potentially improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, and health outcomes, as well as provider and staff wellness. It can also help reduce avoidable care and excess costs for both the health care and social service sectors.
Trauma-informed care seeks to:
- Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand paths for recovery;
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in patients, families, and staff;
- Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and
- Actively avoid re-traumatization.
What are the benefits of providing trauma-informed care?
There are a number of benefits to using a trauma-informed approach, not only for clients but also for providers and staff. Many clients with trauma have difficulty maintaining healthy, open relationships with a human service provider. For clients, trauma-informed care offers the opportunity to engage more fully in their care plan, develop a trusting relationship with their provider, and improve long-term health outcomes. Trauma-informed care can also help reduce burnout among health care providers, potentially reducing staff turnover.
Principles of Trauma Informed Care
