Models for developing trauma-informed behavioral health systems and trauma-specific services. This report provides information on models that have been created to respond to persons who are receiving public mental health and/or substance abuse services who have been traumatized by interpersonal violence/abuse in their childhood or adolescence and who may also have mental illness. The report defines “trauma-informed” and “trauma-specific,” and provides information on the components of programs that have been implemented on a statewide or local level, as well as program contact information. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and National Technical Assistance Center for State Mental Health Planning Center. (2004). Alexandria, VA: Jennings, A. 
 

 
Resources for Homeless Shelter Service Providers
The National Center on Family Homelessness offers several online tools to better equip shelter staff to assist traumatized families that may seek their services.  Among available resources are lists of children's books related to trauma and homelessness, a checklist to help service providers ensure their programs are trauma-informed, and resource guides on homelessness and trauma.

Responding to childhood trauma: The promise and practice of trauma informed care. This white paper examines the pervasiveness and potential consequences of childhood trauma, and the components of trauma-informed care. The author discusses why it is important to prevent the need for restrictive treatment and instead provide compassionate, non-coercive care. Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. (2006, February). Harrisburg, PA: Hodas, G.R. 

Sanctuary in a domestic violence shelter: A team approach to healing.  For survivors of domestic violence, the ongoing effects of trauma are compounded by the context of their abusive experience.  Injury caused by a person one has loved and trusted damages beliefs about oneself, other people, and the world.  Staff members of various disciplines and educational backgrounds who work in domestic violence shelters are dealing with this damage as well as the impact of trauma on shelter residents.  They face the challenge of observing and responding to the effects of recent and past abuse, to traumatic reenactments within the setting, and to their own secondary trauma reactions. This paper explores the process of implementing the Sanctuary® model in a domestic violence shelter as a way to address trauma and its impact on clients and staff.  The Sanctuary model was chosen because of its focus on teamwork, and the guidelines for treatment it provides that are accessible to all members of the treatment community. Madsen, L. H., Blitz, L. V., McCorkle, D., Panzer, P. G. (2003). Psychiatric Quarterly 74(2): 155-171.

 Using trauma theory to design service systems. Mental health practitioners are becoming increasingly aware that they are encountering a very large number of individuals who are survivors of sexual and physical abuse. This volume identifies the essential elements necessary for a system to begin to integrate an understanding about trauma into its core service programs. The fundamental elements of a trauma-informed system are identified and the necessary supports for bringing about system change are highlighted. The philosophy of trauma-informed practice is then examined in assessment and screening, inpatient treatment, residential services, addictions programming, and case management. The modifications that are necessary to transform a current system into a trauma-informed system are discussed in great detail, as well as the changing roles of consumers and providers. Harris, M. and R.D. Fallot (Eds.) (2001). New Directions for Mental Health Services. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.