SAMHSA has issued a new Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach. The primary goal of this guide is to expand the discussion presented in SAMHSA’s previous resources on trauma (Concept of Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services).
The guide specifically focuses on tools and strategies for implementing a TIA. This guide highlights the need for organizational assessment of readiness and capacity before implementing TIA and describes strategies for such assessments. The guide describes implementation strategies across the following 10 domains: Training and Workforce Development; Governance and Leadership; Cross Sector Collaboration; Financing; Physical Environment; Engagement and Involvement; Screening, Assessment, and Treatment Services; Progress Monitoring and Quality Assurance; Policy; and Evaluation. The guide is intended for anyone involved in organization-level change, including practitioners, state and local officials, policy makers, federal and non-federal funders, peers, and family members.
