Leaders at all levels have opportunities to support their organization’s ability to become Trauma-Informed and Responsive (TIR).
Leaders must actively demonstrate their commitment on multiple levels.
Lead by example
Participating in training on trauma and its effect on children and families.
Modeling healthy relationship behaviors and interaction skills.
Clearly communicating roles, responsibilities and expectations to youth, families and staff members.
Inviting input from staff as well as youth and families to provide meaningful, ongoing input and feedback into organizational decision-making.
Being visible members of the agency/organization and within the community.
Tending to their own self-care, to ensure they are able to do all of the above.
Funding
Leaders who control organizational budgets should use their decision-making authority to prioritize the needed financial and time investments to implement the TIR actions.
Policies
Leaders who make decisions about organizational policies should:
Staff Hiring, Development, and Support
Strive to ensure that staff at all levels of the organization – from entry-level through senior leadership – as well as organizational materials (curricula, communication materials, etc.) are representative of the diversity of the community being served.
