Proceed with caution in adopting trauma-informed approaches and begin evaluating them, including descriptive and qualitative research on implementation¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Based on the empty evidence base, the review recommends that school leaders, policymakers, and school mental health professionals "proceed with caution in their embrace of a trauma‐informed approach as an overarching framework and begin evaluating these programs." It encourages healthy skepticism, clear descriptions of what schools are doing, and adds that "descriptive and qualitative research on what is actually being implemented would be a welcome addition to the empirical literature," noting schools' practices may vary widely. Schools need not stop implementing evidence-informed trauma-targeting programs while research matures.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Rigorous evaluation studies and clear descriptions of implemented practices from adopting schools

Constraints¶

• Evaluating complex interventions such as this is not easy and requires resources; the review suggests drawing from research on multi-tiered approaches in schools

Target Learners¶

• PreK-12 students in schools adopting trauma-informed approaches

Target Learning Goals¶

• Informing policy and practice on trauma-informed school reform

Related Strategies¶

• Initiate trauma-informed planning before the start of the school year

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Maynard BR, Farina A, Dell NA, Kelly MS. (2019). Effects of trauma‐informed approaches in schools: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1018