Homelessness and Trauma: A Three Part Training Series

The HRC seeks to improve the daily lives of people affected by homelessness and who have mental health and substance use disorders and trauma histories. Training and technical assistance Publications On-line learning opportunities Networking Operated by the Institute on Homelessness and Trauma

Session 3: Incorporating Trauma-Informed Concepts into Daily Practice in Settings for People Experiencing Homelessness

Homelessness and Trauma Training Series Overview Part I: Understanding Traumatic Stress in People Experiencing Homelessness Part II: Creating Trauma- Informed Services and Settings… Part III: Incorporating Trauma-Informed Concepts into Daily Practice….

Promote safety. Understand trauma and its impact. Ensure cultural competence. Share power and governance. Integrate care. Healing happens in relationships. Recovery is possible. Support client control, choice, and autonomy. Applying Principles of Trauma-Informed Care to Organizational Domains Supporting Staff DevelopmentCreating a Supportive & Safe EnvironmentAssessing & Service PlanningInvolving Clients Adapting Policies

Assessing & Service Planning Photo credits: K. Volk

Assessing & Service Planning What should a trauma-informed assessment include? How can we do assessments in a way that reflects the trauma-informed principles?

Assessment Domains: Current situation. History (trauma, mental health, previous experiences with providers). Relationships with others. Strengths and supports. Cultural and ethnic background. Current needs (from client perspective). Assessing & Service Planning

The co-creation of written and monitored individual goals helps clients take control over their lives and their ideas about the future. Helping clients build skills and focus on strengths increases confidence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Assessing & Service Planning

What are ways to work with clients to co-develop goals? Assessing & Service Planning

Promote safety. Understand trauma and its impact. Ensure cultural competence. Share power and governance. Integrate care. Healing happens in relationships. Recovery is possible. Support client control, choice, and autonomy. Applying Principles to Organizational Domains Supporting Staff DevelopmentCreating a Supportive & Safe EnvironmentAssessing & Service PlanningInvolving Clients

Instructions: Your team is giving a presentation to your organization’s Board on consumer involvement. First, decide what to ask for. Do you want the Board to approve: 1.Developing a peer-to-peer program 2.Including consumers in the hiring process 3.Including consumer reps on the Board 4.Hiring consumers on staff Next, develop a 3 to 5-minute presentation to “make your case,” using what you have learned about trauma and trauma-informed services. Involving Clients

Plan proactively for organizational changes. Provide comprehensive orientation, leadership, skills development, and cross-training. Approach clients as experts Create and disseminate clear communications and information Sponsor activities that are fun, informational, and interactive Hire and compensate clients at competitive wages Create a range of opportunities Increase the number of role models and mentors Create innovative and socially valued roles. Involving Clients Source: Prescott, L. (2001). Consumer/Survivor/Recovering Women: A Guide for Partnerships in Collaboration. Prepared for the Women, Co- Occurring Disorders, and Violence Study. Washington, DC: SAMHSA. Available at

Promote safety. Understand trauma and its impact. Ensure cultural competence. Share power and governance. Integrate care. Healing happens in relationships. Recovery is possible. Support client control, choice, and autonomy. Applying Principles to Organizational Domains Supporting Staff DevelopmentCreating a Supportive & Safe EnvironmentAssessing & Service PlanningInvolving Clients Adapting Policies

Is this policy necessary? What purpose does it serve? Who does it help/hurt? Does it facilitate or hinder client inclusion? Were clients included in its development? Adapting Policies

Organization has written statements that: Acknowledge that people who have experienced homelessness have experienced trauma Make a commitment to delivering trauma-informed services. Make a commitment to hiring staff who have experienced homelessness Outline program responses to consumer crises (e.g., aggression to others, suicidal thought, etc.) Adapting Policies

Promote safety. Understand trauma and its impact. Ensure cultural competence. Share power and governance. Integrate care. Healing happens in relationships. Recovery is possible. Support client control, choice, and autonomy. Applying Trauma-Informed Principles to Organizational Domains Supporting Staff DevelopmentCreating a Supportive & Safe EnvironmentAssessing & Service PlanningInvolving Clients Adapting Policies

Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices

Next Steps

Systems Change Administrative commitment to change. Client involvement at all points. Wide-spread training and education. Hiring staff who understand and are committed to trauma- informed practices. Internal policy review to ensure trauma-informed practices are standard. Advocacy at local, state, and national levels.

Contact Information Trainer’s name Trainer’s organization Trainer’s Trainer’s phone number

Credits This curriculum was developed by the National Center on Family Homelessness and the Institute on Homelessness and Trauma for SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center. CITATION AND COPYRIGHT INFO