Implications of Trauma for School Responder Models fact sheet series provides recommendations for incorporating a trauma-informed perspective into school responder models. Youth exposed to trauma, those with mental health conditions, and those with substance use disorders are more likely to face exclusionary discipline policies in schools, leading to higher rates of juvenile court system involvement. The school responder model aims to disrupt unnecessary suspension, expulsion, and arrest for students, particularly those with unmet behavioral health needs. This series aims to educate and equip educators and policymakers with the knowledge and tools necessary to support students effectively and keep them in school and out of the juvenile justice system.
The series is composed of the following two fact sheets:
Fact Sheet
Implications of Trauma for the Core Components of a School Responder Model: This fact sheet emphasizes the importance of integrating a trauma-informed perspective into each of the four core components of a school responder model. It highlights how trauma can influence student behavior and underscores the need for a behavioral health response model that addresses the unique challenges faced by students with unidentified or unmet behavioral health needs.
Implications of Trauma for School Responder Models: This fact sheet provides detailed information on trauma, symptoms of traumatic stress, and the role schools can play in creating trauma-informed environments. It also discusses the impact of trauma on judgment, decision-making, and emotional regulation, which can lead to behaviors that place students at risk for exclusionary discipline. By adopting a trauma-informed approach, schools can better support students and connect them with necessary behavioral health services, reducing the likelihood of juvenile justice involvement.
The National Center for Youth Opportunity and Justice (NCYOJ) originally developed and maintained these resources. The NCYOJ, operated by Policy Research, Inc., from 2001 to 2022, aimed to improve life opportunities for youth through systems and practice improvement initiatives. These fact sheets should be viewed as reference documents and have not been updated since their publication. Additionally, these documents are not 508 compliant. For a 508 compliant version, please email communications@prainc.com.
Citation
National Center for Youth Opportunity and Justice. (2021). Implications of trauma for School Responder Models. https://www.prainc.com/resource-library/
This resource was first shared in 2020 and 2021.
(Document, PDF)