Trauma Informed Care

Trauma Informed Care involves using trauma knowledge to guide how treatment and services are delivered and how a trauma lens can be applied to promote organizational change. Our website features some information and resources about trauma informed care. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) offers support, training and consultation on trauma-related topics.

Trauma Informed Care Courses

Learn more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact of trauma on people and communities. Sign up today and enroll in the courses that interest you. More information on the Trauma Informed Care Courses, including enrollment instructions, can be found on the Trauma Informed Care Course Flyer. 

Trauma Information & Treatment Models

General information about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma and Treatment for infants, children, youth and adults.

• Introduction to Trauma Video
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study
• Damaging Consequences of Violence & Trauma
• MIMH Trauma Fact Sheet
• Trauma Informed Treatment Models

Missouri Trauma Initiative

Missouri Trauma Initiative captures Missouri’s journey toward trauma informed care, highlights state-wide efforts across many executive departments and collaborative efforts to promote trauma informed communities for Missouri’s citizens.

• DMH Statement & Position on Trauma Informed
• Missouri Trauma Initiative Overview
• Trauma Initiative Core Competency Model
• Trauma Informed Pathways to the Five Domains of Well-Being

Disaster Response State Grant (DRSG)

The Disaster Response State Grant was funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from 2020-2022 to serve 26 counties in Missouri that were impacted by severe storms, floods and tornados in Spring, 2019. These counties were federally declared disasters. Youth and adults impacted by these natural disasters received behavioral health services including treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders. This grant provided opportunities for outreach, education and training for individuals impacted by natural disasters. Disaster-related trauma looks different for everyone. Recovery is possible.

Learn more today!

Missouri Trauma Roundtable Documents

DMH and its partners formed Missouri Trauma Roundtable and created several guidance documents to assist individuals and organizations with becoming trauma informed. Since 2018, Missouri Trauma Roundtable meets separate from DMH and continues to focus on advancing trauma informed care.

• Missouri Model: A Developmental Framework for Trauma Informed Approaches
• Missouri Comprehensive Public Health Approach for Resilience to Mitigate the Impact of Trauma
• Trauma Screening Policy Guidance
• HR Policy Guidance
• Organizational Requirements

MO Trauma Initiative In the News

Articles highlighting various trauma-related work across the state of Missouri.

• Missouri’s New Approach to Trauma
• Addressing Trauma: Eliminating Strip Searches
• Invest in a Trauma Informed Workforce
• Missouri ACES 2016 Fact Sheet

Websites & Resources

Websites and resources on trauma-related education, research, advocacy and treatment.

• ACEs too High
• Article: Law Enforcement Traumatic Stress: Clinical Syndromes and Intervention Strategies
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention – ACEs
• Center for Healthcare Strategies
• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
• Childhood Violent Trauma Center
• Coalition for National Trauma Research
• Missouri Center for Education Safety
• Missouri Children’s Trauma Network
• Missouri Children’s Trust Fund
• Missouri Model for Trauma Informed Schools
• Missouri Trauma Informed Schools Initiative
• Missouri Wellness Cultural Competency
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• National Institute on Mental Health: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events
• Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics
• SAMHSA: Tip 57 Trauma Informed Care in Behavioral Health Care
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
• US Department of Veteran’s Affairs, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Zero to Three