Resources and Products
General Info about Trauma and its Effects on Children
What is Child Traumatic Stress?
Many children will experience trauma during their lives, and some of them will develop traumatic stress. Although many of us may experience reactions to stress from time to time, when a child is experiencing child traumatic stress, these reactions interfere with his or her daily life and ability to function and interact with others. These resources provide detailed information about what trauma is, why it occurs, and what to look for in your child after a trauma.
Trauma and its Effects on Children – Overview »
For All
Age Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event, and How to Help (PDF) »
NCTSN Understanding Child Traumatic Stress Brochure (PDF) »
12 pages, Includes signs and symptoms in children of different ages
Project Information and Discussion Guide (PDF) »
This booklet contains information about the project and where to obtain other project materials. It also contains the “Briefs” developed from the interviews and focus groups – What is the Trauma of Investigation; Removal and Placement; TIPS for Caseworkers, Foster Parents, Law Enforcement, Educators, and Parents – and several documents from NCTSN providing basic information about trauma, its effects on children and signs and symptoms of traumatic stress in children of different ages. It was designed to be flexible in use and adaptable for various settings (e.g., discussions at meetings or staffings) and participants.
Additional External Resources
For additional information not included on this page, we've listed organizations that provide information on trauma informed care:
Child Trauma Academy (CTA) »
California Center of Excellence for Trauma-Informed Care (CCETIC) Resources »
National Child Traumatic Stress Network »
Oregon Health Services Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Specific Services »
SAMHSA National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC) »
Trauma Informed Oregon »
FOR CHILD WELFARE WORKERS
Trauma of Investigation and Removal (PDF) »
Trauma of Initial Out-of-Home Placement (PDF) »
Tips for Caseworkers (PDF) »
FOR FOSTER PARENTS
Child Traumatic Stress – A Primer for Resource Parents (PDF) »
Coping with Trauma Reminders (PDF) »
What Children and Youth in Foster Care Want You to Know (PDF) »
Helping Traumatized Children: A Brief Overview for Caregivers (PDF) »
By Dr. Bruce Perry
Special Considerations for Parents, Caretakers, and Teachers (PDF) »
Brochure created by Ally Jamieson from Dr. Bruce Perry’s work.
Biology of Trauma: How Trauma Impacts the Developing Mind (PDF) »
Brochure created by Ally Jamieson
Tips for Foster Parents (PDF) »
FOR PARENTS
Helping Traumatized Children: A Brief Overview for Caregivers (PDF) »
By Dr. Bruce Perry
Special Considerations for Parents, Caretakers, and Teachers (PDF) »
Brochure created by Ally Jamieson from Dr. Bruce Perry’s work.
Biology of Trauma: How Trauma Impacts the Developing Mind (PDF) »
Brochure created by Ally Jamieson
Tips for Parents (PDF) »
FOR EDUCATORS
Tips for Educators (PDF) »
A Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
Complete Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators (PDF) »
The Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators is a 21-page booklet comprised of the following components which can be accessed individually:
Trauma Facts for Educators (PDF) »
This one-page fact sheet is designed to help educators learn more about the impact of trauma on children’s behavior and performance in a school or classroom setting. It also provides specific recommendations for teachers to help mitigate the impact of trauma on children in the classroom.
Understanding Child Traumatic Stress: A Guide for Parents (PDF) »
This easy-to-read brochure provides parents and caregivers with a basic overview of child traumatic stress, outlines what they can do at home to help a child who has been traumatized, and provides instructions on how to advocate for their child within the school setting.
Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Preschool Children (PDF) »
Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Elementary School Students (PDF) »
Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Middle School Students (PDF) »
Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: High School Students (PDF) »
These comprehensive documents are intended for educators who work primarily with preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school students, respectively. They describe how to identify children in the four age groups who may be experiencing traumatic stress reactions. They also teach educators how to manage these children within the school and classroom settings.
Self Care for Educators (PDF) »
Working daily with children who have been exposed to trauma can be very difficult for school professionals. This handout defines secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious traumatization: three reactions that educators who work with traumatized children may have. The handout describes why these reactions are so important to prevent and address, and outlines specific recommendations for appropriate self-care.
Suggestions for Educators (PDF) »
This document provides a list of simple and straightforward strategies educators can use to accommodate a traumatized child in the school setting. It also teaches educators how to determine when traumatic stress reactions are severe enough to merit a referral for additional help.
Brief Information on Childhood Traumatic Grief (PDF) »
This document defines child traumatic grief and distinguishes it from normal childhood grief following the death of a close friend or family member. Some of the key features of child traumatic grief are discussed, along with examples of how it is similar to and different from normal grief. The document offers guidance for adults who encounter a child with child traumatic grief, including how and when to seek professional help.
Brief Information on Childhood Traumatic Grief for School Personnel (PDF) »
This information sheet focuses primarily on how teachers and school personnel can identify and assist children in their school who are experiencing child traumatic grief. While acknowledging that most children who have experienced the death of a close friend or family member do not develop childhood traumatic grief, the information sheet identifies specific signs and symptoms of childhood traumatic grief for teachers to look
for. This resource also outlines strategies that school staff can engage in to help students with child traumatic grief.
Acknowledgements:
The Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators was developed by the Schools Committee of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
Keeping Children Safe When Their Parents are Arrested (PDF) »
From California State Library, California Research Bureau
Tips for Law Enforcement (PDF) »
FOR JUDGES
Safe Babies Court Teams: Building Strong Families and Healthy Communities (DVD) »
This video articulates the needs of maltreated infants and toddlers to professionals in Safe Babies Court Team communities and beyond.
FOR MEDICAL EXAMINERS
Tips for Medical Examiners (PDF) »