1. Trauma-Informed Care:
National Center for
A New Framework for Trauma-Informed Care
Healing and Recovery Revolutionizing Mental Health
NCTIC promotes a dynamic learning The Center for Mental Health Services, National and Human Services
exchange arising from the growing Center for Trauma-Informed Care provides
recognition of psychological trauma as consultation, technical assistance, and training to
a pivotal force that shapes the mental, revolutionize the way mental health and human
emotional, and physical wellbeing of those services are organized, delivered, and managed,
seeking healing and recovery with the while furthering the understanding of trauma-
support of mental health and human services. informed practices through education and outreach.
Knowledge about the prevalence and impact of
trauma has grown to the point that it is now
universally understood that almost all of those National Center for Trauma-Informed Care
seeking services in the public health system 4550 Montgomery Avenue
have trauma histories. Trauma-Informed Care Suite 800 North
(TIC) provides a new paradigm under which Bethesda, MD 20814
the basic premise for organizing services is
p: 301-634-1785
transformed from “what is wrong with you?”
f: 301-634-1801
to “what has happened to you?.” TIC is
initiated through an organizational shift from NCTIC@abtassoc.com
a traditional “top-down” environment to one www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic
that is based on collaboration with consumers
and survivors. Receive the latest news and information in
trauma-informed care by signing up to our
In true partnership, the path to healing is led e-mail list!
by the consumer or survivor and supported
by the service provider. Within this dynamic For consultation, technical assistance, or training
learning community where staff and clients requests, please contact the NCTIC Trauma Team
learn from one another, consumers and at 301-634-1785 or NCTIC@abtassoc.com.
survivors no longer experience a hierarchical
The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care is
approach in service delivery. Those seeking
funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
services are empowered to proactively set
Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
goals and manage their roads to health and
Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.
wellbeing. This, indeed, is a revolutionary
advance in mental health and human services
delivery.
Focus Not on Sickness, but on Wellness

2. A dynamic learning exchange to systemically transform the way we organize, deliver, and manage mental health and human services
About NCTIC Making Trauma-Informed Programs and Services the Priority
Violence, abuse, neglect, disaster, war, and Trauma-informed services acknowledge lived Some of the actions that programs, agencies, or
other emotionally destructive experiences experiences as the bedrock for therapeutic institutions can take to begin the transformation
create trauma and these experiences know no decision-making and promote consumer choice to a trauma-informed environment include:
boundaries with regard to age, race, ethnicity, and empowerment, as necessary, for successful
economics, gender, geography, or sexual treatment. A trauma-informed approach is based • Commit to a TIC Organizational Mission
orientation. Trauma affects us all, directly or on the recognition that many behaviors and and Dedicate Resources to Support It
indirectly, and can be devastating. responses (often seen as symptoms) expressed
• Conduct Universal Screening for Trauma for
by survivors and consumers are directly related
While the prevalence of trauma is more All Consumers and Survivors
to traumatic experiences that often cause
recognized now than ever, there is still great mental health, substance abuse, and physical • Incorporate Values and Approaches Focused
need to create trauma-informed environments health concerns. For many consumers and on Safety and Prevention for Consumers,
with trauma-specific interventions that support survivors, systems of care perpetuate traumatic Survivors, and Staff
consumers and survivors. NCTIC offers experiences through invasive, coercive, or forced
consultation and technical assistance, education treatment that causes or exacerbates feelings of • Create Strength-Based Environments and
and outreach, and resources to support this threat, a lack of safety, violation, shame, and Practices that Allow for Consumer and
revolutionary shift in publicly-funded programs. powerlessness. Unlike traditional mental health Survivor Empowerment
NCTIC is working closely with a wide variety services, TIC recognizes trauma as a central
of human service organizations and agencies to • Provide Ongoing TIC Staff Training and
issue. Incorporating trauma-informed values and
support the systemic changes needed to bring Education
services is key to improving program efficacy and
about TIC. supporting the healing process. • Improve and Target Staff Hiring Practices
NCTIC was created in 2005 and is funded by for TIC
Understanding that a wide range of programs
the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and systems need to integrate trauma-informed • Update Policies and Procedures to Reflect
through contract number 280-03-2900 to Abt practices, NCTIC provides technical assistance New TIC Mission
Associates. Program managers include Susan to help these programs and services take
Salasin as CMHS Federal Project Officer; Gail this critical and revolutionary step forward. With a better collective understanding of trauma,
Robinson as Abt Project Manager and Danna Programs and systems that benefit from NCTIC’s more survivors and consumers will find their
Mauch as Abt Organizational Change Advisor; services include mental health, substance abuse, path to wellness and recovery. And with a
CMHS Public Health Advisors Mary Blake and criminal justice, victim assistance, peer support, greater public commitment to providing trauma-
Wanda Finch; Mary Ann Beall, Ruta Mazelis, education, primary care, domestic violence, child informed programs and systems for survivors,
and Jacki McKinney for survivor and consumer welfare, and others. we lessen and prevent a wide range of health,
program development; the National Association behavioral health, and social problems for
of State Mental Health Program Directors, generations to come.
National Technical Assistance Center for
training and technical assistance; and Witness
Justice for training, education, and outreach.