Trauma is a prevalent condition that impacts individuals, groups, and populations. Trauma informed care (TIC) is a strengths-based approach that was developed to address the pervasiveness of trauma and prevent re-traumatization. Occupational therapy practitioners are likely to encounter individuals and groups who have experienced trauma and need…

Neurodivergent children and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly over-represented in the school-excluded and youth justice populations both internationally and in the UK. Given the wealth of knowledge established about the 'school to prison pipeline', it is crucial that we understand why this…

Background: Individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities are vulnerable to potentially traumatic events and trauma sequelae. Despite ongoing advances surrounding trauma and intellectual/developmental disabilities, trauma-specific treatments are needed for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This study explores the…

Shared trauma can contribute to anxiety, fear, sadness, and lack of engagement among learners leading to poor school attendance and diminished positive relationships. Therefore, it is incumbent on schools to design a supportive learning environment during experiences of shared trauma. The descriptive study presented illustrates a supportive…

Since schools are an ideal setting for students to receive mental health services, Mental Health Action Plans (MHAPs) were developed to define and detail the ways in which student mental health needs can be addressed at school. Similar to Individualized Education Plans and 504 plans, MHAPs are individualized plans, grounded in person-centered care…

A university was awarded a "Teacher Prep to Practice" grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a project titled "Developing Culturally-Relevant Aspiring Teachers." The university collaborated with local school districts to host 2, 3-day "summer institute" professional development sessions, focusing on…

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can influence physical, cognitive and social development, impacting life outcomes including the child's capacity to learn and become socially integrated. While steady relations to reliable, understanding adults may enhance child resilience and mitigate long-term effects on well-being, the difficulties of…

Realist research is increasingly used to evaluate complex interventions. However, it can be challenging to codify and implement, with few examples to guide the process. This article describes how a team of social care leaders, practitioners and researchers developed initial program theories for the Trauma Consultancy Service (TraCS) in early…

Services for youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) are designed with limited input from the youth themselves. This study explored the experiences and recommendations for services aimed at mitigating the negative effects of homelessness among youth. A total of 45 interviews were conducted with YEH (ages 15 to 24, M = 21.5 years) who experienced at…

Black youth face unique challenges stemming from constant exposure to systemic and cultural racism, discrimination, and lack of access to culturally responsive services meeting their needs, which significantly impacts their emotional well-being, career trajectories, and civic engagement. The research project explores the benefits of a culturally…

Forcibly displaced youth of Central American backgrounds (e.g., Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala) continue to be underserved by U.S. mental health and educational systems. These youth commonly encounter stressors and associated barriers to healthy development that may be partially mitigated through culturally-responsive, trauma-informed, and…

Trauma-informed practice in education applies neuroscientific knowledge of the profound impact of early childhood trauma on learning and emphasises the central role of the student-teacher relationship in recovery. In adopting trauma-informed understandings, teachers are required to change their current practices and strengthen their relationships…

This article aims to illuminate the perceptions of a pilot grief- and trauma-informed empowerment arts summer program for adolescents who lived in an at-risk Southern, urban neighborhood identified by the city in question as having a high percentage of street violence. The study it is based on was grounded in qualitative techniques, which…

This qualitative study explored the influence of implementing a virtual culturally responsive and equity-centered trauma-informed professional development series with seven urban educators in the U.S. The study's findings suggest that a culturally responsive, equity-centered trauma-informed professional development series can enrich educators'…

Expulsion is unfortunately common in early childhood settings and has a negative impact on both children and caregivers. In this qualitative U.S. study, we conducted semi-structured interviews to learn about caregivers' experiences with early childhood expulsion. We analyzed the data using a trauma-informed lens to examine how the experience of…