Take Home Messages
- Trauma is the unique individual experience of an event or enduring conditions in which the individual’s ability to integrate his/her emotional experience is overwhelmed, and the individual experiences (either objectively or subjectively) a threat to her/her life, bodily integrity, or that of a caregiver or family. (Saakvitne, K, et al, 2000)
- There are two types of trauma diagnoses:
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — associated with a traumatic event
- Complex trauma or complex PTSD — associated with exposure to multiple or prolonged events, such as child maltreatment, neglect, abuse, etc.
- Providing information and hope to Early Head Start and Head Start staff and families,
- Conducting sensitive inquiry and observation that is trauma focused
- Determining the safety of the child, family, and their environment
- Reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, yet maintaining a relationships with the child and family
- Providing tools and support in collaboration with providers, caregivers, and families
- Linking families to resources
- Finding qualified therapists and accessible, effective therapy
- Advocating for and building trauma informed services
- Pursuing further learning and continuing education related to trauma, its impact, and intervention.