TRAUMA-INFORMED

Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative Publication

Trauma-informed Website

Pursuant to Missouri Senate Bill 638, Section 161.1050, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established the “Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.”

For the purposes of this initiative, the following terms are defined as follows:

• “Trauma-informed approach” -an approach that involves understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress across the lifespan
• “Trauma-informed school” -a school that:

a. realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery

b. recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in students, teachers and staff

c. responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into its policies, procedures and practices; and

d. seeks to actively resist re-traumatization