Trauma-Informed Care in Residential Treatment

Abstract

Children served in residential treatment often present with behaviors and issues emanating from complex developmentally traumatic experiences. Implementing trauma informed practices is critical for successful treatment outcomes. This paper from the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers conceptualizes traumatic stress in the context and identifies strategies and practices at the organizational, environmental, programmatic and individual treatment levels that are responsive to the needs of these children and youth.

KEYWORDS:

• Residential treatment
• trauma-informed physical environments
• milieu triggers
• non-coercion
• skill building
• limitations of point and level systems