National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development

Childhood trauma, which can result from a range of adverse experiences such as abuse, bullying, school or community violence, or severe environmental events, remains a particularly urgent public health concern. Indeed, risk of childhood trauma is especially high among many already vulnerable groups of children, such as those who are homeless or refugees, identify as LGBTQ+, have intellectual or developmental disabilities, or whose families experience economic stress.

Moving forward, a driving force behind NITEWD’s impact on practice and policy nationwide will be its newly developed Core Components and Skills for Trauma-Informed Practice curriculum. The curriculum presents 12 key evidence-based and trauma-informed therapeutic practice elements through three multi-part case vignettes involving children, adolescents, and their families.

“This unique curriculum is both evidence-informed and taught using a case-based method, making it at once engaging and relevant,” said Strand.

NITEWD’s curriculum has already been pilot-tested in two formats: an advanced elective year course for MSW students and a free video-based online course for practitioners working with children and families who have experienced trauma. Over the next year, NITEWD will extend its preparatory efforts by launching an online course and training faculty to deliver the MSW course.

NITEWD expects to train faculty from 60 different MSW programs to deliver the MSW course and to recruit 400 direct practice staff to complete the online course over the next five years. In addition, an estimated 1,300 or more MSW students nationwide are expected to complete the course.

NITEWD is also focused on  training and outreach efforts to increase the number of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and persons of color) clinicians trained in trauma-informed practice. The lack of such clinicians continues to be a barrier for BIPOC youth and families in need of services. To this end, NITEWD has ensured that more than half of the 18 faculty in the inaugural Faculty Summer Institute come from historically Black colleges or universities or schools with a majority BIPOC student body.

“This course is designed to meet the need for a more diverse workforce that is trained in trauma-informed practice,” said Strand. “Over the next five years, a cadre of BIPOC students will enter the field trained in evidence-informed trauma intervention.”

Data from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network h has shown that more than two-thirds of children report at least one traumatic event by age 16. For NITEWD, such a reality presents a clear and timely opportunity to make a nationwide impact by equipping agency-based practitioners and MSW graduates with the needed skills to meet this extraordinary need.