Managers of Housing Services for People with Mental Illness and Addiction Develop Trauma-Informed Culture with Training from Center for EBPs, OhioMHAS

—by Paul M. Kubek

Providers of housing services for adults with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders (adult-care facilities and recovery housing) are building the capacity to reduce the impact of trauma upon residents and staff with a new training developed by the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).

The event, titled "Creating a Trauma-Informed Culture of Care for Housing Providers," will take place on 14 dates in 2018-19 in 7 cities across the State of Ohio (Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Portsmouth, and Toledo), beginning in July 2018. The training will help participants evaluate the extent to which their adult-care facilities have developed a culture of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). The workshop will also help participants begin to build or enhance their capacity for TIC by presenting them with an evaluation tool and a process for utilizing that tool with colleagues at their organizations as a way to facilitate and manage action-planning and organizational change. Learning methods in the workshop will include lecture, large-group discussions, and small-group activities.

Some learning objectives for this training include the following:

  • Identify the core principles of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)
  • Describe 13 elements of a trauma-informed organization
  • Employ a method for TIC self-evaluation using the Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care (CCTIC) model
  • Describe an action plan for program improvement

Presenter

The event is being presented by Patrick E. Boyle, PhD, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, director of implementation services at the Center for EBPs (get bio). Boyle designed the workshop in collaboration with Susan Tafrate, MSW, mental health administrator of recovery supports, and Roma Barickman, housing manager, at OhioMHAS.

Who Should Attend?

This event is designed for owners, operators, and staff of the following:

  • Class 2 Residential Facilities / Adult-Care Facilities (ACFs)
  • Recovery Housing
  • Register Online

The event is being hosted by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), which is managing registration. 

Why Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma has emerged as an important public health concern because it has long-term adverse effects upon physical health and mental health. Trauma contributes to chronic health and behavioral health conditions. People in our communities, especially those with mental illness and substance use disorders, experience trauma in complex ways. Many have experienced traumatic events, such as assault, neglect, and other forms of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, and institutions, including jails, prisons, and hospitals, where forced restraints and isolation may have been used.
Health and behavioral healthcare professionals who provide care to the traumatized often have their own trauma histories. They also experience the effects of secondary (or vicarious) trauma through the behaviors, stories, and struggles of people they encounter.

Get more information about TIC.

Trauma-Informed Organizations

Trauma-informed organizations work to eliminate policies and practices that might traumatize and re-traumatize its clients and employees. Organizations develop policies and practices that promote safety, trust, transparency, collaboration, mutuality, empowerment, and choice among staff members and people seeking help. Organizations achieve this through a careful process that includes input from a range of stakeholders, including people who have survived trauma in their lives. These organizations also become mindful of trauma triggers—events that might activate conscious and unconscious memories of and defenses against the effects of trauma.

Get more information about TIC and our consulting and training services.

Ohio's TIC Initiative

For more information about Ohio's statewide TIC initiative, visit this page of the OhioMHAS website.

Free Resources | Trauma-Informed Care

Printed copies and free PDFs available. / Some recommended TIC resources produced by the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS):

Why housing stability?  

Stable housing gives people who live with mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders a foundation to succeed in recovery. There are many issues that might challenge someone's housing stability, such as

  • Symptoms
  • Interpersonal conflicts
  • Hoarding
  • Not following rules
  • Unemployment and underemployment
  • Benefits concerns and other financial issues
  • Trauma triggers

The way service providers respond to and interact with residents can positively influence their future success. Learn to build self-awareness about your attitudes, thoughts, and communication style as you conduct your work. Learn to keep your attention centered on residents. Learn how to explore and encourage motivation to change. 

Learn more information about Promoting Housing Stability and our consulting and training services.

Ohio’s Housing Initiative

For more information about Ohio’s statewide Housing initiative, visit this page of the OhioMHAS website.

Free Resources | Promoting Housing Stability

Printed copies and free PDFs available. / Some recommended Housing resources produced by the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS):