Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care Program Essay

Introduction

Critical evaluation involves examining the agency’s commitment to trauma-informed care and including its principles in its organizational structure and day-to-day operations. It lays out the organization’s commitment to offering high-quality care to people whose lives have been damaged by trauma (Najavits, 2017). There is a clear leadership structure in place, and it is taking an active role in both the development of trauma-informed care practices and the implementation of these practices. The organization has also developed a comprehensive training program to ensure staff members are appropriately prepared with the knowledge and abilities required to provide trauma-informed treatment. This program provides the essential training to ensure that staff members are adequately prepared to undertake trauma-informed treatment. Additionally, the organization facilitates access to a vast array of knowledge and tools that make trauma-informed treatment implementation more manageable.

Suggested Strategy for Improvement

To deepen the agency’s commitment to trauma-informed care and incorporate the concepts and practices of trauma-informed care within agency operations. The following steps should be taken:

1. Develop an annual training program for staff that focuses on understanding the impact of trauma on individuals served.
2. Develop a comprehensive policy outlining the agency’s commitment to trauma-informed care and the expectations for staff to adhere to these principles.
3. Implement a peer support system for staff to increase their understanding and comfort with providing trauma-informed care.
4. Create a feedback loop for staff to regularly update the agency on implementing trauma-informed care.
5. Provide regular opportunities for staff to participate in collaborative learning and dialogue on the impact of trauma on individuals served.
6. Ensure that all staff can access tools and resources to help assist in the agency’s introduction of trauma-informed care.

Essay

Fundamental Principles to Consider When Adopting a Trauma-Informed Care Approach

Trauma-informed care is a set of practices that put scientific knowledge of the neurological and cognitive mechanisms by which the brain processes trauma into practice. It is founded on evidence-based clinical practice. These approaches are referred to collectively as “trauma-informed care.” These methods are utilized to give treatments that alleviate the symptoms that directly result from traumatic experiences (CCSA, 2014). It is essential to keep in mind three fundamental concepts when working toward the development of a strategy for providing care to those who have been affected by the aftereffects of trauma. The following is an explanation of each of these principles: In this list are several guiding principles, some of which are protection, reliability, freedom of choice, teamwork, and reciprocity.

Any approach to providing care that considers the impact of trauma must begin by putting the patient’s safety as the primary concern. It involves cultivating an atmosphere in which the individual not only has the perception of being safe and secure but also is afforded the utmost priority in terms of physical protection at all times (Tkach, 2018). The priority may include physical safety and emotional and psychological well-being. In addition, it is necessary to acknowledge and respect the boundaries that the individual has set for themselves and offer the individual the opportunity to articulate any criteria they may have made for themselves. In addition, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that procedures or treatments are carried out according to the individual’s autonomy and respect their right to choose for themselves. The precondition is necessary before any treatment or operation is performed.

While developing a strategy for providing trauma-informed treatment, trustworthiness and providing patients with options are two essential factors that need to be taken into consideration. It demands the establishment of an environment that is characterized by trust and mutual respect; an environment in which individuals feel comfortable addressing their needs and expressing their feelings; and an environment that is conducive to open communication (Fallot & Harris, 2009). While providing care, it is necessary to keep in mind how important it is to take into consideration the choices and preferences of the one who is getting the care. Some of the issues that should be taken into consideration include giving patients the opportunity to have a say in the medical care they receive, allowing them to make their own decisions, and supplying them with the assistance and knowledge they need to make decisions based on accurate information.

Teamwork and mutual support are essential components of any trauma-informed care strategy that will be implemented, and both must be present. Creating an environment where all individuals involved in the care process are open to cooperating and listening carefully to what each individual has to say is required to accomplish this goal (Covington & Bloom, 2018). It also requires developing a culture in which the needs and preferences of the care recipient are considered, and each person who is part of the care process is respected and valued. Also, it is vital to make sure that all parties involved in the provision of care cooperate to reach the same goal: improving the individual’s health condition. Cooperation is the overarching goal that must be accomplished to succeed.

Putting these ideas into practice will likely run against several roadblocks at various points. A lack of resources to provide needed care is one of them. Another is a lack of provider awareness and comprehension of trauma-informed care (Poole et al., 2014). Finally, there is a lack of patient engagement and trust in the care provider. In addition to this, there is a deficiency in the availability of resources for medical care. Moreover, there is a lack of financing, which makes it impossible to provide the necessary treatment or hire additional people to provide the necessary level of care. The stigma attached to mental illness and past traumatic experiences is another barrier that can make it difficult for individuals to get the required assistance. Last but not least, there might not be enough assistance available for providers attempting to put these ideas into practice, making it challenging to do so effectively and put these ideas into reality.

There are three fundamental principles that should be kept in mind while striving to deliver treatment that is influenced by the impacts of trauma. Protection, reliability, freedom of choice, collaboration, and reciprocity are some examples of these principles. It is vital to provide protection in order to establish an atmosphere in which the person feels safe, respected, and secure. Also, it is crucial to recognize and respect the limits that a person has established for themselves. Providing the person with the chance to communicate any needs that they may have is an essential component of dependability. The person must have the ability to make their own choices about their care, and this requires them to have the freedom to choose how they are cared for. To establish a climate in which all parties concerned are receptive to the idea of cooperating with one another and listening to one another, there must be an atmosphere of cooperation and reciprocity.

When implementing a strategy for trauma-informed care, there may be several roadblocks that present themselves. These include a lack of resources, provider awareness, patient engagement, trust, financial constraints, and the stigma associated with mental illness and past traumatic experiences. It is essential to have sufficient resources, personnel, and support in order to be able to put these ideas into practice successfully.

Conclusion

Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that all involved parties are working together and cooperating to reach the same goal, which is the improvement of the individual’s condition of health. Ultimately, implementing a strategy for trauma-informed care should be approached with the three core values of protection, dependability, and freedom of choice in mind and with an understanding of the potential challenges that may arise.

References

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2014). Trauma-informed care. Web.

Covington, S., & Bloom, S. L. (2018). Moving from trauma-informed to trauma-responsive: A training program for organizational change. Facilitator guide. Hazelden Publishing.

Fallot, R. D., & Harris, M. (2009). Creating cultures of trauma-informed care. Washington DC: Community Connections. Web.

Najavits, L. M. (2017). Recovery from trauma, addiction, or both: Strategies for finding your best self. Guilford Publications.

Poole, D., Chieregato, A., Langer, M., Viaggi, B., Cingolani, E., Malacarne, P., Mengoli, F., Nardi, G., Nascimben, E., Riccioni, L. and Turriziani, I. (2014). A systematic review of the literature and evidence-based recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis in trauma: results from an Italian consensus of experts. PloS one, 9(11), e113676.

Tkach, M. J. (2018). Trauma informed care for substance abuse counselling. Butler Center for research. Hazelden Betty Ford Graduation school of addiction studies. Saatavilla​. Web.