Durgin | 14-22




Positive Approaches Journal - Volume 2 Title

Volume 13 ► Issue 2 ►September 2024



Creating a Trauma-Informed Human Services Workforce in Pennsylvania:  A Successful Cross-Sector Collaboration.

Mark B. Durgin

PA Care Partnership, Pennsylvania



Abstract

This article provides an overview of grant-funded Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) training sponsored by the PA Care Partnership, in collaboration with Lakeside Global Institute (LGI), the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), and the Office of Children, Youth, and Families in Pennsylvania (OCYF). This work demonstrates the collaboration between the PA Care Partnership, OMHSAS, and OCYF, to successfully braid funding to contract and partner with Lakeside Global Institute to provide tuition-free comprehensive trauma training to over 20,000 human service professionals across the Commonwealth. By adopting Trauma-Informed Care in Pennsylvania, we are creating safe, supportive environments that promote healing and resilience for children and youth.

Introduction

This journal article will discuss the importance of Trauma-Informed Care in Pennsylvania, examine key initiatives and collaborations to promote trauma-informed practices, review trauma prevalence data specific to Pennsylvania, and provide practical steps for organizations to adopt TIC. It will conclude with a call to action for stakeholders and policymakers to prioritize the well-being of children and youth in Pennsylvania through trauma-informed approaches, using braided funding strategies, achieved through a collaborative System of Care.

Pennsylvania's approach to supporting children, youth, young adults, and their families who face behavioral health challenges is grounded in the System of Care (SOC) philosophy. The PA Care Partnership, in collaboration with the state's Department of Human Services (DHS) and OMHSAS, has embraced this framework, which values equality, trust, and cooperation among youth, caregivers, providers, and systems. The SOC approach builds upon each community's unique strengths and culture to create a spectrum of effective, community-based services and supports that are organized into coordinated networks, address cultural and linguistic needs, and build meaningful partnerships with families and youth.

Since 2009, OMHSAS has received four grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), enabling the Commonwealth to establish an SOC framework. This philosophy does not seek to replace existing services, but rather fosters a way of working together among families, youth, government agencies, private providers, and communities. The flexibility and adaptability of SOC make it suitable for any context, with the ultimate goal of helping families function better at home, in the community, and throughout life.

Pennsylvania has increasingly recognized the importance of TIC in contemporary practice, particularly within human services, behavioral health, and child welfare, as well as in education. The adoption of TIC has been driven by a growing awareness of the prevalence of trauma and its long-term consequences, as well as a commitment to promoting resilience and well-being. Through the support of OMHSAS and the work of the PA Care Partnership, Pennsylvania has successfully implemented trauma training initiatives funded by SAMHSA’s System of Care grants and braided funding from OCYF.

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-Informed Care is a framework that involves realizing the widespread impact of trauma, recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma, and responding by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices. The core principles of TIC include safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, humility, and responsiveness. TIC involves creating safe environments and being sensitive to cultural, racial, and historical contexts that shape individuals' experiences of trauma. Safety, both physical and emotional, is essential for individuals who have experienced trauma. Trustworthiness and transparency are crucial for building relationships, promoting healing, and recognizing the ongoing nature of trauma recovery.1 The shift from asking "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" is a fundamental aspect of TIC.2 This shift acknowledges that individuals' behaviors and challenges are often rooted in their experiences of trauma, rather than personal failings or deficits. The core principles of TIC provide a foundation for creating trauma-informed environments and practices.

Pennsylvania's Trauma-Informed Care Evolution

Pennsylvania has made significant strides in implementing TIC through various initiatives and collaborations. The PA Care Partnership has been instrumental in promoting trauma-informed practices, working closely with OCYF.3 OCYF has also been a driver of TIC implementation in Pennsylvania. OCYF has integrated trauma-informed principles into its policies and practices and has provided training and resources to support the adoption of TIC in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. This has included the development of a trauma screening tool4, the implementation of evidence-based trauma interventions5, and the promotion of family engagement and youth voice in decision-making processes.6 Efforts to promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for children and families, as well as targeted support for youth at highest risk, are crucial in mitigating the negative impacts of trauma and promoting resilience and well-being.7

Trauma Training in Pennsylvania

Trauma training is a critical component of TIC in Pennsylvania for professionals serving children, youth, and young adults under age 26, Our shared goal is to help establish a trauma informed System of Care and Commonwealth in Pennsylvania.

The PA Care Partnership had previously established a strong working relationship with Lakeside Global Institute (LGI), a trauma training and education provider from Pennsylvania, and a leading provider of trauma training and consulting services.8 Beginning in 2019, the PA Care Partnership contracted with LGI to provide trauma-informed care workshops and training and development for the Trauma 101 Workshop Train the Trainer. They offer a range of trauma workshops designed to enhance professionals' understanding of trauma and equip them with practical skills for implementing trauma-informed practices when working with children and youth.8 These workshops are grounded in the latest research on trauma and resilience, and incorporate interactive, experiential learning activities to promote skill-building and application.

Examples of LGI's trauma workshops include:

Trauma 101: An Overview of Trauma-Informed Care, Trauma 102: Basic Skills of Trauma-Informed Care, Trauma 103: Recognizing Vicarious & Secondary Trauma for Caregivers, Trauma 104: Grief and Trauma, Trauma 105: Intro to Trauma for Parents & Caregivers, Trauma 106: An Introduction to Trauma for Youth, Trauma 107: Trauma-Informed Cultural Sensitivity, Trauma 108: Trauma and Racism, Trauma 109: Trauma in a Pandemic, Trauma 110: The Impact of Social Media.

Through PA Care Partnership’s funding throughout June of 2021, about 14,430 individuals received trauma training using LGI’s training workshops.

In Fiscal Year 2023, the PA Care Partnership, OCYF, and OMHSAS collaborated to provide comprehensive trauma training for professionals in Pennsylvania's child welfare system.3 By leveraging existing contracts, resources, and braided funding, these organizations maximized their impact and reached to effectively support children and families impacted by trauma.

By building upon their existing partnership with LGI, the PA Care Partnership, OCYF, and OMHSAS efficiently and effectively implemented a series of Trauma Workshops and Enhanced Trauma Training sessions tailored to the needs of child welfare professionals. This collaboration resulted in 10,150 individuals participating in 369 workshops, each lasting two-four hours, between FY21 and FY24.

In addition to these workshops, LGI offers intensive trauma courses that allow participants to earn certifications as Trauma-Sensitive Professionals. These courses include:

- Enhancing Trauma Awareness (ETA), Deepening Trauma Awareness (DTA), Applying Trauma Principles (ATP), Train the Trainer to Deliver Trauma Workshops and Trauma-Sensitive Certification (TSC).

These intensive courses deepen participants' understanding of trauma and equip them with practical skills to apply trauma principles in their work with children and youth. Between FY21 and FY24, 1,064 participants attended 81 intensive trauma course workshops. The impact of this collaboration and braided funding approach has been significant. The wide reach and effectiveness of the training initiative demonstrate the commitment of all involved parties to promoting trauma-informed care within the child welfare system. As the collaboration continues into FY24, the PA Care Partnership and OCYF remain dedicated to expanding access to trauma training.

This collaborative effort between the PA Care Partnership, OCYF, OMHSAS, and LGI serves as a model for how organizations can come together to address the complex needs of trauma-impacted children and families. By leveraging existing partnerships, braiding funding, and working towards a common goal, these organizations have demonstrated the power of collaboration in creating a more trauma-informed and responsive child welfare system in Pennsylvania.

Conclusion

Adopting Trauma-Informed Care requires a commitment from organizations and individuals to create safe, supportive environments that promote healing and resilience for children and youth in Pennsylvania. As the Commonwealth continues to lead the way in TIC implementation through collaborative initiatives, it is crucial for stakeholders and policymakers to invest in trauma-informed practices that support the well-being of young Pennsylvanians. By investing in trauma-informed initiatives and collaborating across sectors, Pennsylvania can create a more compassionate, resilient, and economically robust Commonwealth that supports the healthy development and thriving of all its young residents.




References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach.

2. Harris, M., & Fallot, R. D. (2001). Envisioning a trauma‐informed service system: A vital paradigm shift. New directions for mental health services, 2001(89), 3-22. Envisioning a Trauma-Informed Service System: A Vital Paradigm Shift Journal Article.

3. PA Care Partnership. (2024). Trauma-Informed Training. PA Care Partnership's List of Trauma-Informed Trainings.

4. Creating Trauma-Informed and Healing Centered Residential Care. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Available from: An Organizational Assessment Tool for Human Service Providers in Pennsylvania.

5. Family First Prevention Services Act Presentation. PA CASA. Available from: Family First Prevention Services Act Presentation by Jonathan Rubin, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF).

6. OCYF Launches Pennsylvania Meaningful Family Engagement Toolkit. Pennsylvania Providers. Available from: Family Engagement Toolkit /Bartlett, J. D., & Steber, K. (2019). How to implement trauma-informed care to build resilience to childhood trauma. Child Trends.  Building Resilience to Childhood Trauma.

7. Lakeside Global Institute. (2024). Trauma Workshops. Lakeside Training Workshops.

8. Health Care Toolbox (n.d.) Health Care Toolbox: Helping Children and Families Cope with Illness and Injury.






Biography

Mark B. Durgin, B.S. Criminal Justice, has 20+ years in PA's child-serving systems. A certified trainer in Coach Approach to Adaptive Leadership, Adaptive Leadership for System Change, and Trauma Workshops, he champions coaching and leadership to empower individuals and improve mental/behavioral health and substance use coordination. As PA Care Partnership Project Director, Mark oversees the statewide System of Care Grant, fostering collaboration. His advocacy promotes the system of care philosophy and enhances communication at all levels. An Associate Partner at Coach Approach Partners and Keystone Leadership Coaching President, Mark influences through coaching, training, and presenting. Initiatives like the Statewide Grant Directors Community of Practice reflect his belief in understanding diverse viewpoints.


Contact Information

Mark B. Durgin

Phone: (717) 678-9166                                      
Email: durginm@upmc.edu